Evening Star Newspaper, November 16, 1895, Page 16

16 .THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1895-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. WILL THEY WEAR ’EM? Symposium of Washington Women on the Subject of Bloomers. WHAT THE WHEEL DiD FOR ONE Short Skirts May Result From the Bicycle Craze. HEALTH AND STRENGTH en WASHINGTON girl was expatiating on the merits of bi- cycling to a Star writer the other day. From her appearance “and manrer, her two- wheeled machine seemed to have solved for her the problem f happy, healthy Ui¥ing. With cheeks aglow and eyes sparkling, she described the won- derful change that the bicycle had wrought upon her health and happiness. “I was just being seized by the dread dis- ease taedium vitae,” she said, “and found | myself reading articles advocating suicide and such nonsense. Shining revolvers, in their pretty, velvet-lined cases, began to have a morbid attraction for me. What this diseased state of mind and body would have led me toI do not know, if this little and she looked lovingly at her d not come to my rescue. Of course, I'm dreadfully ashamed of what I have just told you. It ts disgraceful. My first spell of the blues should have warned Ine that I had indigestion and needed more systematic arrange- ment of study and reading hours. I have been riding my wheel I'm getting half-way agreeable. Bicycling is what I call real, true enjoy- ment. You can’t help being good-natured when you feel the blood tingling through your whole body, even to your finger tips. You know what Icy-cold hands I used to have. Ugh! circulation was the cause. Rapid Poor rides on my wheel with some of the dear- | est girls in Washington have remedied that entirely. My heart and hands have been warmed by this little machine. The world interests me, and so do people. Exercise With Moderation. When warned by The Star writer against excesses she replied with a seriousness that was pathetic: “Don't worry about me. I do not try to see how far or how fast I can ride, but just how much pleasure can be derived from spinning over the road in the free fresh air. I have not ridden further than Cabin John bridge, and even on the de- lghtful Conduit road I thought it best to walk up one steep hill. A short walk is rather pleasant after a long ride. “One warm day last summer while driv- ing I saw the athletic trainer of the C. A. C. on his wheel, and noticed that he con- descended to walk the steep hills. I don’t see why girls stould scorn taking the same precaution. But good-bye, I have an engagement at 4 o'clock with only five minutes to make It. I can do it, though, with my faithful lit- tle time saver.” One could not help admiring her as she rode away, sitting erect and riding with that graceful ankle movement which makes a woman appear as womanly on a wheel as when walking. Stronger ties than a bicycle are binding this young woman to the busy world,where she is needed. Every week in one of the children’s hospitals a merry shout goes up when she enters the play room. No one tells such fantastic stories or knows such jolly games as this same young lady. The wheel, nowever, must be allowed the credit of giving her sufficient health and energy to enter heartily upon life's duties. What revolutions will be brought about by this sudden devotion of women to the wheel is only a matter of conjecture. The cycling field is at present the rendezvous for many fashionable women of the city. A late devotee to the wheeling art, who won quite a reputation last year by her magnificent receptions, created a sensa- tion at the riding school by tipping her in- structor with a diamond ring. Besides the ring this fortunate individual received in one day $18 in tips. Bloomers in Washington. In many large cities the most radical changes have been made in dress. Wash- ington women, however, do not seem to be taking to the bloomers at all. Now and then a bloomer comes on the scene, but it {3 greeted with cries from the small boys of “Take it off," while men stare and wo- men laugh or look grieved. A Popular Skirt. New York women are remarkable for stylish rather than pretty gowns. When the bloomer came In vogue in the metropo- lis it was adopted as a matter of course. Was*{ gon women have conclusively proved to their own satisfaction, however, that the bloomer is not a necessity. There ts in use a skirt with an underneath divided section fastened to the front gore in such a way as to prevent the skirt from blowing up in front, and at the same time avoid catching in the back wheel. The skirt Is The Past. The fature. fest to the shoe tops, and excepting that it buttons on the side, it is in no way un- usual in appearance. The pattern for this garment is a regular Chinese puzzle, but with a pasted model can be put together by any woman who understands dressmaking. An ardent advocate of this skirt says: “Be sure to fasten the pleats firmly at the back. The pattern does not give this direction, but if you fail to do it, your skirt will be blown in the wheel and you will be drivea to bloomers as sure as fate.” Riding Against the Wind, There 1s only one thing this skirt wil! not do, and that is cease to offer resistance to the wind. If you and the wind happen to be ing in the same direction, well and 7 0! ise, there is sure to be difficul- ty, How long Washington women will pre- fer resisting the wind to changing their @ostume remains to be seen. One dares not outdoor exercise and | Prophesy these days. Hundreds of women are riding in our streets today who, two years ago, would have been shocked at the thought of being seen on a wheel. What College Graduates Think. Last week, at the Current Topic Club, composed largely of women graduates of Columbian University, the subject of bloom- ers was informally discussed after the ad- journment of the meeting. The general de- cision of those who rode wheels was that the bloomer is unnecessary and undesir- able. The moderately short skirt, however, was hailed with delight, not for general use, but for the wheel and rainy days. Only wo- men who find it necessary to go out in all sorts of weather will appreciate the biess- ing of not being forced by custom to drag wet skirts around all day. Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee is not ready as yet to commit herself on the subject of bloomers. “Not riding a wheel,” she says, “I have neither maxim nor epigram on bloomer or bicycle. Today I prophesied that bloomers would be popular here by next fall. The short skirt ‘s certainly preferable to the bloomer on shopping ex- peditions. However, when I ride, if I find this skirt dangerous or inconvenient, 1 should not hesitate to join a club of women willing to adopt bloomers. I believe, by mutual encouragement, we could soon ac- custom the public to the now objectionabie ccstume.”” ; Comes Out for Bloomers. The young ladies of the senior class of the Columbian University who did not con- sider the bloomer too horrible for their con- templation expressed thelr views in char- acteristic strain. . dress reform, says “None but riders of the bicycle can prop- erly judge of the necessity and comfort of bioomers. They are neither graceful nor dainty, yet immodest they certainly are not. It would not be desirable to adopt bloomers as a general costume, but for the wheel they are essential to safety and comier There is one reason why the women of ihe | land should be thankful that bicycling jas become so popular, viz.: Women have now | the courage and fearle-sness to emancipate | themselves from the shackles of their pres- | ent slzvish dre:s. A sens ble, modified and comfortable dress may now be worn with- out the vial of men’s wrath being poured upon them.” Progress First, Dress Afterward. The sentiments voiced by another young lady of the same class are unique in that they show how little one woman cares about dress: “There are so many important sub- jects today which are of interest to women that one hardly has time to enter deeply into the study of such a minor one as dress must necessarily be. Provided woman advances in education, industry and the political rights and privileges to which, I think, she is justly entitled, I care not what she wears, s¢ that she wear enough, and her garments be not too gaudy in color. If every woman or even a majority of women wore bloomers they would not attract any particular atten- tion, and the-efore would not be objectiona- ble.’ But the subject is one in which I have little interest, unless it can be proved that It ill either retard or advance our progress to higher political privileges, education, etc.” Other View Decisive thought, with a hesitancy to lead, is portrayed by the following: “There is no tribulation to which clviliza- tion subjects women greater than that of a cumbersome dress. I think that any change which tends to loosen the trammels of con- ventionally Inconvenient dress would be wel- come. At the same time, I should never have the public spirit to do any of the pio- neering in this matter.” A bright, quiet young woman, with high ideals and a love for the eternal feminine, expresses her views as follows: “Anything that tends in the slightest de- gree to make a girl unwomanly and mannish 1s to b3 despised. A girl might wear bloom- ers and be thoroughly womanly, but I do rot think she would wish to. They are un- graceful and ugly. I can conceive that in scme age when times and opinions have changed, since dress is only external, wo- manly women might wear bloomers, but in this age I think no true woman would.” What Undergraduates Think. The undergraduates express themselves briefly but positively in regard to bloomers. The following are opinions from members of the junior clas: “Abominable,” Grave Ross. “Abominable,” M. Kelly. “Abominable,” Helen Ruth Biddis. ‘Abominable,’ E. Lamso: Exceedingly unwomanly,” A. C, Kelton. mmodest and ugly,” “The short skirt costume is preferable in every respect,’ . “Bloomers are all right underneath a skirt, but without one let us perish rather!” Clara M. Upton. And these are from the sophomore class: “If | expressed my opinion, I would punch a hole in the paper,” F. L. Bringham. “Any woman who cares to have men turn and look at her and laugh is welcome to wear them,” ‘Them as likes em can wear ’em,” R. M. “I think tha short skirt preferable, but I have no objection to bloomers under the skirt,"" Elsie Bradford. ——— Something He Could Eat. From the Chicago Tribune. What have you got?” inquired the trav- eler in the linen duster, sitting down on one of the stools. “Cold roast beef,” replied the man behind the railway lunch counter; “cold chicken, don’t eat meat broke in the traveler. ‘m a vegetarian. “Try one of his ham sandwiches,” sug- gested the commercial tourist sitting on the next stool. c0e A Cartoon of Forty Years Ago. emancipation as illustrated in a New York magazine when the new woman raged in 155L. Miss Morrison, who advocates moderate, CHANCES FOR WOMEN Pauline Pry Geta Interesting Infor- mation About Earning Money. A CAPITAL OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS What Some Women Have Done Others Can Do. SKETCHES OF REAL LIFE HERE IS. A CONUN- drum current for the correct solution of which is offered a prize that makes guessing the number of beans in a glass jar or the number of pet- als in a show chrys- anthemum seem an idle and unprofitable enterprise, unworthy the attention of an ambitious intelli- gence. This conun- drum reads: “What is the best suggestion whereby a woman with a capital of $100 can embark in business to earn spending money or assist her husband.” My observation is that if it were a mere question of assisting a husband a large num- ber of wives couldn't do better than buy a divorce. What with bicycles and bloomers and a predilection for boarding-house life, no expansion of income can, to my mind, furnish any adequate means of ameliorat- ing the condition of men afflicted with fin de siecle wives. But the church universally and the law pretty generally declining to consider divorces for worthless women in the light of charity to their husbands, this is clearly rot a practical suggestion. I have therefore cast about for others, with the re- sult thet I am now able to present to women with a capital of $100 not vain theories, but cctually existing opportunities for helping their husbands or earning spending money. Last week I advertised: “A woman having $100 to invest would Ike to learn of some business opportunity in which she may en- gage her capital and her services to advan- tage.” French counts and British peers are about the only chances for an American woman with money to succeed in life that failed to respond to this advertisement. Millinery stores, meat markets, corner groceries, a bill-distributing agency, a furntture-moving institution, a man with a system for playing the races, five widows and two orphans with experience in managing a boarding house are a few of the good things that were Placed at my disposal. Several employment bureaus were willing to offer me anything I wanted which afforded them a ghost of an excuse for absorbing my one hundred dollars. Some of these people I went to see, and some I did not. Their letters were so sug- gestive of what they might be I fumigated and forgot them.as quicltly as possible. Partner in a Bar Room. The first man I called on was a real gent, as his clothes went to show. His shirt front was as vividly striped as the Tammany tiger, and the diamond stud he wore in a flaming necktie was like the sun, except that it had no spots on it. His che:ked trousers were creased sharp enough to Kill, and his box coat was so English, indeed, I strongly suspected him of being either a duke or Rudyard Kipling in disguise. His first remark disheartening. ‘orry you ain’t younger,” he said. “About eighteen is what I would like as to age, but mebhe you look up under gaslight.” Tassured him that I do, yet we were forced to play a brief—very brief—engagement. His plan was to open a bar room on my capital, with me to help him at the bar. The next person I called on wrote from @ fashionable apartment house on paper bearing a crest. I was ushered into the presence of a woman who was in that age she had passed her youth, and prettily de- clined any further relationship with time other than as a means of avoiding eternity | Her face, that somehow reminded me of a yellow pansy, was stamped by that inno- cence which Gautier describes as being of the “knowing sort.” She was gowned in black, with simplicity—the simplicity that is the aim and end of perfect art. As she greeted me, she locked at me with a pair of mourrful violet eyes, which made me vibrate through ard through with sym- pathy for affiictions which, as a whole, she = plainly too clever ever to have suffer- ed. She asked me if I could do typewritirg, and she asked about the degree of educa- tion I have recsived—whether I could pass an examination not too severe. Then she asked would I like a place in offic I arswered, “Very much,” adding that I had supposed, however, an office was imn- possible to obtain. “Nothing is impossible with a woman who makes up her mind to succeed,” she replied, and proceeded to show that she iavew what she was talking about. An Office Broker's Terms. “If you care to pay me $100 as a retainer,” she began, “I will agree to procure you a place in office inside of two or three months on the condition that for a place paying you sixty dollars per month you will pay me ten dollars a month as long as you are re- tained, and pay me fifty per cent of ever. raise in salary I may be able to get you.” I expressed delight at this suggestion, and she went on: “I am not proposing this to you as a speculation. I have followed this office commission business since the last change of administration, and I can satisfy you that I have been not half bad at it. Of course, I was able to do more at the beginning of the administration, when there were many more vacancies inan at present. I was led into the business by curiosity about the personal advertisements which almost con- stantly appear in the papers in Washing- ton offering to make such terms as I have suggested to you to any one able to secure a position in the departments. I have a circle of friends that is not extensive, but is peculiarly influential, so I answered some of these advertisements to see what I could do. The result was I was very soon able to enjoy a nice addition to my income with no exertion on my part other than is perfectly compatible with my social position. I can show you some papers to prove that this is no idle boast.” Accordingly, from the inner recesses of sn exquisite inlaid oe: ors, she produced a bundle of documents, from which sha se- lected several letters and gave them to me to read. In different form, each expressed gratitude to her for services rendered in securing the writer a place in office. Then she showed me a number of contracts in which different persons formally agreed to pay Mrs. —— different sums per month during continuance in office in consideration of holding the office on the strength of Mrs. —s influence. “You see,” said she, “I am perfectly open with you; you are welcome to go see these people if you like. I am quite safe in tho matter, for the reason that all proofs of my business are in my own hands, and if you or any of the others chose to talk my social position is such nobody would be- leve you.” A Great Self Assurance. The self-assurance with which this was delivered was simply diabolical—deliciously diabolical, utterly without a flaw of con- science to mar its serene front, and her great, mournful eyes the while confusing and deluding one with a pathetic contradic- tion of her words. “As I have said,” she resumed, “this is a dull season for vacancies. But if I should be unable at once to secure a position in which you might engage your services I would be able to have you attached to some department in a menial capacity, with the understanding that you would not have to do the work. In that case your pay would be considerably less than $6) a moerth. What do you think of my plan?” I visited these persons she claimed to have installed in office, and in no instance was I able to acquire direct assent from them of what she had told me. Indirectly four of the five I visited satisfied me per- fectly that the woman had told the truth. This impression, possibly, was due in a measure to the strong predisposition I had to believe her, after having experienced the very unusual powers she has as manifest in her personality, above all, in her sweet, sublime nerve. However, I would not advise a woman with $100 jo invest in securing an office to drop the mm th a lump as a retainer fee to this womah until she had first tried a less expensive office broker whom I afterward visited. ~~ A Leap Expensive Office Broker. This waS°slso a woman, but gray, grave, without ha of the strong points of the other—not even the elusive and seductive charm which the appearance of an un- written history lends a woman. Like th thef, this old woman demanded $10 a month during my continuance in of- fice, in event of her procuring me a place. Her retainer fee, however, was extremely medest, not more than $5, she said, and urmistakAple fiitegrity of character caused her to feel and express much compunction at taking}even this. Her record was as n:cdest as the retainer she asked. She had put one girl in office who had paid her $10 at first, and, having her salary raised from $60 to $75 through the efforts of the broker, increased the latter’s share per month to $12. She had since made several unsuccess- ful attempts to repeat this success, but had failed. Yet she had hopes in the new Con- gress which encouraged her to believe that if I cared to have her undertake the work she could get me a place. Incidentally she asked me if I had ever done any literary work, and when I told her that I had writ- ten a little she said she thought that if I were to write some pieces about Washing- ton I could make a great deal of money. She knew a woman who makes $3,500 a year doing this. I immediately asked the name and address of this woman, and learned that she is about to open a school ot journalism. Now, thought I, ff here is to be unearth- ed an opportunity where a woman may in- vest $100 and learn how to write pieces at the rate of $3,500 a year, Pauline herself will beg, borrow or steal $100 and herself &0 to schcol. This teacher cf journalism, however, proved to be “Olivia,” Mrs. Emily F. Briggs. Thus, all who know her work, know without further particulars the prac- tical information my query called forth. “When I earned $3,500 as a journalist,” said Olivia, “I was the only woman cor- respondent at Washington, and it was dur- ing the war, which furnished a journalist, man or woman, exceptional opportunities. I doubt if a woman correspondent here now, however gifted, would be likely to earn that amount of money. I can teach you the technicalities of journalism, but I could not poss'bly assure your success; and certainly if you have only $100 at your dis- posal and no positive ability for the work, I would advise you to turn your attention elsewhere.” An Office Woman's Experience. A number of replies to my advertisement brought me nothing but vagarious schem- ers, whose one clear, practical idea was to Possess themselves of my $100. Finally, after a wild goose chase in many directions, I ran down the women who were able to give me thoroughly practical ideas of what a woman with a very small capital may accomplish for herself and her husband. Oddly enough, these two really valuable sources of information were wholly disinterested, and animated by a purely philanthropic motive in replying to my advertisement. i found the first in a cozy home in the northwest. Loving kindness radiated from every feature of her face, that betrayed patient struggling with physical suffer- ing. “I don’t know that you will but think me meddlesome,” she said, “but I happen- ed to read. your advertisement, and I thought perhaps my experience might help you. Have you a husband and family? Do you own ygur own home? Board? Well, then, I am I wrote to you. When I was your age; F acquired, by saving money, which I e: in office, just the same you have toAnvest. I was in office when I was mapt(ad, and while my husband earned sufficient to support us decently, we thought it would be nice to have the extra amount I earned, and as my work was not burdensome, I continued in office until my second child was three years old. The idea on which we started that from our joint alarles we ;would be able to get some- thing ahead, soon passed into a sort of dismal tradition, and as the children were born, and our expenses increased, my sal- ary was needed to keep things even, and then we weren't always even by any means. We boarded because my absence from home seemesl to me to make keeping house an impossibility. For the same rea- son, I was obiized to keep a nurse, and such a wretched lot as we were; we were underfed, and the children were a constant reproach to. me You couldn't say exactly. that they were neglected, yet there was’ something lacking of what they needed, that was clear to any one, and right here I want to warn you, don’t let anybody in- veigle you into any occupation that takes you from your home, 1 don’t care how much money may be promised you. Unless a woman be driven forth to supply her family with the very bread of life, my ex- perience is that for every dollar she earns working outside her nome more than a dollar is wasted at home tn consequence of abstracting her visible presence and mo- mentarily watchful care from the domestic machinery. What this absence further costs in a sentimental but very essential something her family lose in her is an economic consideration impossible to es- timate in dollars and cents. To Be Her Own Landlord. “A realization of this finally made me desperate, and I revolved to save $100 at any sacrifice of myself. I went without clothing, and if the whole truth were known I also went without enough to eat, until five, ten and twenty-five cents at a time, I had finally accumulated the coveted sum. Then I resigned from office and declared in a very loud voice that henceforth my office was that of wife and mother only, and that any further money I acquired would be got on the principle that ‘a penny saved is a penny earned.’ “For a long time I had been reading real estate advertisements more regularly and devoutly than I did my Bible, and from cer- tain ones which read, ‘Why pay rent when you can own your home’ I got the notion that there are certain philanthropic capital- ists engaged in the real estate business for the sole purpose of furnishing homes to poor but deserving people duly impressed with the sacred duty of owning the shrine of their nousehold gods. I tried to negotiate with several on this assumption, and my feelings were dreadfully hurt. This is an awfully matter-of-fact world, my dear, and there isn’t much to be had in it without the price is paid with interest. “When I had my $100 in hand, however, I was of more importance, and my dogged de- termination to have a home for my children kecame a possible factor in a real estate transaction. This is what I did. I found a small house in the northeast—not just where I wanted to live, to be sure, but the location was fair and not so far from the treasury my husband could not walk to and from office. This house was new, sanitary in every respect and contained six rooms. The price asked was $3,500. By giving a mort- gage on it for $2,000 and paying down my $100 I was able to buy this, paying $35 a month. Then I had my house and nothing but two babies and a husband to put in it. We were paying $50 a month for our board, $8 a month for our washing and $8 to a nurse. This left us with next to nothing for other expenses, for my husband's sal- ary, with that perverse luck which some- times seems to pursue one, had been reduced to $70 the Worn following my retirement from office. I furned over all sorts of im- possible séhemis. I knew that if I were a woman in@ goed book I would do the wash- ing and nurse the children myself until I thus saved enough to buy furniture for our home. But I wasn’t a woman in a book, and I kneve for meito try any of those heroic measures of relief would be to precipitate my poor husbasd in the expense of a fune- ral and the extravagances indispensable in courting a’second wife. Iam a little asham- ed to tell what/I did finally. I gathered up every bit of cur small store of silver and jewelry, except my wedding ring, and took it down on the avenue and sold it. I got just $13 for all there was. The thirteen seemed ominous, and when my husband declined to speak to me for a week after effecting this sale I felt that the way of the self-sacrificing- and devotedly enterprising wife was very hard to travel. Farnishing a House. “Nothing daunted, however, I took my thirteen dollars, and went to the house= furnishing store. Here I pald ten dollars en a bill of sixty dollars’ worth of furni- ture, which fitted out my house. It was not elegant, to be sure; neither was It of- fensively common. I had a white enamel bedstead, with not a hair, but a husk mat- tress. The other furniture of my room was two chairs, a small rush-bottomed rocker and a dressing table Improvised from a packirg box draped with cretonn e adjoining bed room I used for a nurs- ery, and the children’s cribs which I had and their toys filled this room, which, hap- pily, was not large. A third bed room I didnot try to furnish. My parlor con- tained an inviting conch made of a cot and cotton mattress that cost me four dollars altogether, and was covered with cretonne that added very little more. I bought some plain rush-bottomed chairs, another rush- bottomed rocker, and did these with white enamel myself, making a parlor suite that cost me five dollars. A pretty lamp, some inexpensive rugs and a few pictures I had accumulated while boarding completed this room after a fashion that I was very proud of. My dining table was stained pine and cost only $3.50. Four dining rcom chairs cost $2. I had to buy table linen and bed linen, as well as all my kitchen furnishing. The allowance was limited to the strict ne- cessity of cleanliness, and for . several months we had to wash a table cloth and napkins in the middle of the week to have things spick and span for Sunday. But the cost of everything I bought was sixty dol- lars, ten of which I paid, and for the rest I signed an iron-bound contract requiring me to pay a dollar a week till the balance was covered, and in event of failure to pay I gave the dealers full liberty to come in and strip my house of all I had got of them. It is not pleasant to get ahead on such terms, but it was the best possible to begin with. The remaining three dollacs of my thirteen I spent on groceries, and we actually moved into our own home—ours with a string to it, my husband used bru- tally to say when I became disagreeably proud and inclined to crow over my posses- sion. Yes, indeed; I made the poor man understand that !t was my house, whenever he took exceptions to the way it was run or to anything about it. Debts Were Pressing. “My monthly obligations to real estate dealer and furniture dealer amounted to $40, which left a balance of but $30 to clothe and feed four people. I am not physically able to do the housework without assist- ance, and naturally, with no experience as 4a housekeeper, my economy was poor, struggle and figure as I might. I was get- ting behind all around. I had even got two weeks behind in my furniture, and a horri- bie man with no more feeling than a block oz wood came to the house from the furnt- ture store and told me that everything would have to go back ‘f I didn’t pay up. It was in the spring, and one of my first bits of work after I had acquired a foot of ground that I could call my own had been to fill it with flowers. I had a friend up in Boston in the seed business, and he gave me what | wanted for a start, so my back yard, which was deep, if narrow, was abloom at the time when it looked as if I was going to have to give it all up. “Then I guess an angel must have in- spred me—I conceived the idea of starting a smal: flower service. I put on my best clothes—they were getting pretty shabby, and perhaps that and my unavoidably hope- less face helped—at all events, looking the best I could, I visited a number of offices, making it a point to catch the men just af- ter lunch, wnen you know a man is most apt to be good natured and generous to a woman, and proposed delivering a poutoa- niere to each of these men at his office | regularly every day for fifty cents a week. | I secured twenty-five men who agreed to take my flowers, and do you know, five of those men, somehow divining that I was in distress, insisted on paying me right then and there in advance, so that I was able to stop in on my way home and pacify my fur- niture creditor. The young colored boy that | I had helping me about the house dell vered my flowers, and not a man failed to keep thg agreement he had made. This gave me such a start that afterward I had compara- tively clear sailing. I devoted all my spare time and energy to systematic study of nutritive cookery, and the whole subject of domestic science, so that gradually I be- came able to manage my household in’ the most economic way, and oh! how my hus- band and children did thrive under my care. Better even than their improved physical condition was the perfect sympathy and harmony that somehow resulted among us in consequence of having a home and moth- erin it. At the end of five years my nouse had increased in value so that I was able to sell out at a profit and buy this house. I bad $2,000 cash to pay on this place, and the balance I am paying through a building and loan association which makes a life- insurance provision, whereby, in event of my death before the whole payment is made, my family will receive a clear title to the house, All this, you see, is not theory, but fact, of what a woman may ac- ccmplish with one hundred dollars, if she has the mind to.”” Another Woman's Experience I left this womar fired with ambition to put money in my purse, and met the other woman, whose plan for money making is similarly inspiring. This woman lives in Mt. Pleasant. She, too, said she answered my advertisement fer no other reason than to fortify me with a knowledge of her experience in determin- ing how best to invest $100. Her first argu- ment was to take me into her back yard, where she showed me seven facubators, each accommodating 300 eggs, all in opera- tien. “I was discharged from one of the de- partments last January,” she said, “and counting up my assets and liabilities they were, of the latter, three children and m:; self to provide for, and of the former, my rent paid for a month, my pantry stocked for a week, and $100 in cash. I had worked in the government treadmill so long that any original ability I ever had for any other sert ot work nad been sacrificed, so that my $100 represented my sole capital. Some- bedy idly suggested to me why don’t you buy an incubator and raise chickens. I was that stupid with the hoplessness of my outlook that if any one had suggested why don’t you buy a cage and raise ele- phants I would have made the experiment, provided I knew where to go to buy it. My little house had no yard, and if I had stop- ped to consider the reasonableness of my step, that would have settied the chicken business. But I didn’t stop to consider, not until J was examining an incubator, when I suddenly exclaimed: ‘But the things bave to grow after they’re hatched, don’t they? and I haven't any back yard.’ ‘Got a roof?’ said the man, and when I answered that I had, he told me I could have a brooder-house built on the roof, and show- ed me one built thus in operation. Well, I went home, having bought an incubator, and contracted for a chicken house to be built over my head. I paid $25 for my in- cubator, $35 for my chicken house, $20 for my brvoder, and $5 for 200 eggs, and began business. After putting in the eggs and lighting the lamp that heats the incubator, I was told that all I need do for three weeks was to fill and clean the lamp as I would a house lamp every day; turn the eggs every night end morning, and refill the water pan on the seventh and four- teenth day. A Woman's Patience. “Tt takes the uatural humanity and meek- ness of a woman to do such small things to perfection. A man wculd be sure to rise superior to some one or more of them, and ruin would be the consequence. But with the ‘meekness and the patience of a saint I attended those eggs, and when on the twenty-first day I had two hundred infant chickens on my hands—well, I tell you, the awful responsibility of a mother with her first baby is not a circumstance to it, not even if the baby Is twins—I posted down town for the man who had sold me the in- cubator to come help me get my large, new, motherless family under the protec- tion of the funny, patented steam pipe mother they call a brooder. Then they had to be fed every two hours the first week, just like a lot of new-born babies; the sec- ond week, every three hours, and so on, with less frequency, until the fourth week, when they get down to three meals a day. Here, again, I could see where a man would go to pieces raising chickens. He would be like a widower with twins on his hands— farm them out or kill them with neglect in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred. But I stayed by those chickens like the mother T am. I used to go up on the roof in the still watches of the night to be sure they were sleeping well—indeed, I was so de- voted to them, it’s a wonder they didn’t all die from over-kindness. But they didn’t. At the end of ten weeks I sold my chick- ens at fifty cents a pound. They cost me just ten cents a pound to raise, so that with my first crop I more than made the cost of my investment. I kept at work, and at the end of nine months I moved into this place, which I am buying, and I have equipped myself with six additional incu- bators and brooders, so that during the winter season, when spring chickens bring a fancy price, I shall doubtless realize a very neat profit. I tell you, I wouldn't go back into the government service, any office they could give me, in exchange for my chicken industry.” The woman assured me that all a repeti- tion of her success demands is care and attention in following the few simple rules necessary for raising chickens, and she volunieered to help me in any way she could if I cared to make the experiment myself. I left her with increased desire to ac- quire a capital of $100. But to return to the conundrum which has led me through devious ways to counting chickens I shall doubtless never hatch, when you consider the number and variety of chances to make money which my advertisement brought within my reach, is not the best possible suggestion of how a woman with $100 may embark in business contained in just what I did and proved? Advertise! PAULINE PRY. FURS AND LACES. The Latter Are Used Very Generally, Even in Winter Costumes. It was bad enough to see fur-trimmed gar- ments in July, as some of the swell set wore, but to see lace-trimmed street gowns in winter is even yet more ridiculous, but you see them, if you go where the swell Gressers do most congregate. Lace is as pre-emirently a summer fabric as fur is a winter one—if either can be called a “fabric” —and except on an evening gown, or a hand- some reception toilet, it looks odd to see it so commonly worn along with sealskins and sables. It is certainly out of place when it is used as a passementerie on a seal cape, as it has recently been used. Whole blouse waists are now made of the exquisite beurre lace, and of other laces, many of them hav- ing the floral patterns outlined with irides- cent beads, or gold and silver thread. One of the very latest fancies in lace is to embroider Brussels net with lace braid so as to resemble point-de I'aiguilie or English point. It is quite an idea, for it enhances the beauty of fine net a thousandfold, and makes an elegant lace at small cost. Heavy lace insertions are a great deal used to overlay bright-colored ribbons as in the summer. Furs are among the trimmings for winter hats. Chinchilla will be quite popular for the crowns of hats, and mink and sable for borders, while the heads will appear as a setting for aigrettes made of the tails of the animals. If the horrid grinning creatures with every sharp tooth in their red mouths showing don’t get set above a vixenish face, with temper in every line, they will be rath- er cute than otherwise. But, al: Too often the fiendish-looking animals but ac- centuate the fiendish face. It is quite de- cided that if you do trim your hat with fur, it must match the cape muff and other fur accessories of your costume. It is quite decided also that sashes are a necessary adjunct of all dressy toilets. They may be of ribbons or of velvet, but they must always be of the finest or they will lcok “tacky.” Adjust them at the back or sides, as you like. They are particularly popular with the empire belts. "S REASONS. In Favor of Extending the Right to Vote in City Elections. The Massachusetts Woman Suffrage As- sociation presents the following reasons why municipal suffrage should be extended to women: 1. As an act of simple justice. 2. Because women are needed in govern- ment. 3. Because the bad elements of the com- munity are solidly opposed to woman's bal- lot. It is a maxim in war, “Always do the thing to which our enemy particularly ob- jects.” 4. Because of its educational effect upon women. Because municipal woman suffrage has done good in many other communities, and the predicted disasters have nowhere fol- lowed. 6. Because the woman suffrage question can be settled only by experiment, and mu- nicipal suffrage 1s the most cautious and conservative way of testing it. If the law proves unsatisfactory, it can be repealed at any time by a legislature elected wholly by men. 7. Because it is in the line of manifest des- tiny. Sixty years ago women could not vote anywhere. In 1845 Kentucky gave school suffrage to widows. In 1861 Kansas gave It to all women. In 1869 England gave municipal suffrage: to single women and widows, and Wyoming gave full suffrage to all women. School suffrage was granted in 1875 by Michigan and Minnesota, in 1876 by Colorado, in 1878 by New Hampshire and Oregon, in 1879 by Massachusetts, in 1880 by New York and Vermont. In 1881 municipal suffrage was extended to the single women and widows of Scotland. ‘ebraska gavé school suffrage in 1883, and Wisconsin in 1885, In 1886 school suffrare was given in Washington, and municipal suffrage to single women and widows in New Brunswick and Ontario. In 1887 municipal suffrage was extended to all women in Kan- sas, and school suffrage in North and South Dakota, Montana, Arizona and New Jer- sey. In J891 school suffrage was granted in Minois. “In 1892 municipal suffrage was ex- tended to single women and widows in the province of Quebec. In 1883 school suffrage was granted in Connecticut, and full suffrage in Colorado and New Zealand. In 18% school suffrage was granted in Ohio, a limited municipal suffrage in Iowa and parish and district suf- frage in England to women both married and single. In 189% full suffrage has been granted in South Australia to women both married and single. Charles Sumner said, “In the progress of clyilization, woman suf- frage is sure to come.” It is better for Ma: sachusetts to be in the van than in the rear. —s0s Chance of Escape. From the Boston Transcript. After the amateur performance. Ethel—“How did you like it up there on the stage? I should have thought you'd be frightened to death.” Sylvia—“Why, it was just splendid to cast un eye over the audience, to see their looks and actions. Really, it was as good as a lay." Pipthel—“"Was it really? Next time I'll go on the stage instead of sitting among the audience.” —oe Too Busily Engaged. From the Chicago Recerd. “What's good for a black eye?” “Nothing, no’ if you had come to me three hours ago”—— “Couldn't; fellow was getting in his best |” licks just about that time!” A self-made man.—Life. j are no sleeves DRESSES FOR GIRLS. Suggestions for Mothers Puzzled Over Their Daughters’ Wardrobes These days the little maid is as particular about her wardrobe, her dresses, coats, capes, hats and gloves as her mamma, and twice as exacting. If circle skirts are the “go” sb- ~-= circle skirts. If Tams are the vogue, she isn't gong to wear a sombrero. If capes are passe, she gives her cape to the charwoman'’s lit- tle girl, and informs the powers that a jacket she must have, and that it must bear the earmarks of the latest designs, or she won't have it. Of course, mothers sigh and wonder what the worldiscoming shake their wise old heads and declare that it beats their time, but all the same the little maid gets just what she wants, if mamma has to go without. It Isn't right, of course, but what are you going to do about it? Very largely, the little maid’s attire copies that of her mother. She wears blouse waists, and bretelles, and revers, and but- tens, velvet, and chiffon, and lace, haircloth and big slecves—just exactly as her mother does when those things are in fashion, and just as soon as they go out she casts them disdain- fully aside. For in- stance, redingotes are the rage, and the lit- tle maid comes in for the most stylish of them all. It must be confessed that the redingote is an ideal garment for a crow- ing girl, just as is the princess gown, for, as no girl should don corsets be._.« sixteen, she should not burden her waist with belts that must be painfully tight to keep her clothes from slipping. The redingote and princess lift all the weight from the waist and transfer it to the shoulders. Almost any ‘ind of cloth, or even serge, if properly lined, will make a handsome coat for a growing girl, and the collar and small revers may be faced back with vel- vet or satin, accord- ing to fancy. Great care should be taken that the foot of the redingote hangs per- fectly even, for if it should dip up in front and down be- hind, it will be any- thing but stylish looking, and it is very easy to get the wrong effect. Of course, large buttons are necessary to set such a garment off. In fact, you may make buttons cost twice as much as all the garment put to- - gether, and not overstep bounds a bit, For a handsome dress to wear with a coat of that description, the “‘button blouse” would be very handsome. ‘ The skirt is circular, with no trimming, and smooth about the hips. The blouse has the fullness about the neck and bust, both back and front, laid under in a plait and caught down with buttons in an oddly pretty manner. In the back there is an- other plait down the center, and under this the dress fastens. The sleeves are the mut- ton leg. + Another pretty frock is semi-military in design, the plainress of the skirt relieved by the velvet trimming or the bodice, which is strapped down with cords of gold, each end fast- ened with a large gilt button. There is a large box plait dowr the front, held by three gilt buttons at the throat, and a vel- vet belt finishes the neat costume. For a party dress for a very small miss whose mamma is so very injudicious as to let her bare her throat and arms in the winter—and there are plenty such mothe: -rhaunging infant waist is quite turesque. The short skirt is full, and, being of the softest of pink summer silk, banded with maroon velvet, it hangs in the prettiest manner imaginable. Over the shoulders are bre- telles of the velvet, and a sash and ends of ribbon velvet finish up a very lovely toilet. —_——.__ SOME LATE FASHION NOTES. About Norfolk Jackets and a Novelty in Wrap Norfolk jackets have resumed their sway and there is no lin.it to the places they may be worn. It must be confessed, how- ever, that they are a much more shapely garment than ever before, and that they are better adapted to the human form di- vine. They are often seen of one kind of material—velvet, for instance, with the plaits of arother kind. In no instance are they now made by folding the goods to make the long plait; the jacket is made to fit the form like a dress waist, and the plaits are shaped on that, and the effect is much finer. There seems to be but one comment to make on waists, and that is that they are taking on the extra fullress that seems to have been let out of the sleeves. Puckers and plaits, puffs and blouse effects are seen altogether or singly on all waists. You can suit yourself to almost any design and be in style. Pointed basques are gaining favor over the ivuand wa'sts, which some fancy are not becoming to a stout figure, but that is a fallacy, for if it is prop- erly cut and fitted a stout waist looks about as well in a round waist as @ thin one does. Something of a novelty in wraps is the | Inverness, which patterns after the Inver- ness coat that men wear. It has a fitted underbody, with a loose dolman back, and the cepe sleeves fit into the back seams, falling over the front in cape fashion. It makes an elegant traveling wrap, as there to bother one. A_ black serge or cravanette, lined with bright plaid silk, makes a stylish garment. It is partic- ularly adapted for elderly women if made in some soft, thick black material and lined with k satin. For a street gown, why not select a warm red boucle material, with curls of black and cross checked with a gold silk thread? With a tovch of black velvet at the throat, ts, belt and wri and a border and side trimming of black Persian lamb, a very elegant costume can be produced. The wise woman will make her last year’s out-door gown over for inclement weather and spend a great deal on one handsome street dress rather than divide the cost between two, neither of which is quite satisfactory. —— Their Silver Wedding. From Life. “Come around next week Saturday, Haw- kins. My wife and I are going to celebrate our silver weddini “Silver wedding? Why you haven't been married more than twelve years.’ “I know it; but silver has depreciated. It's only worth twelve where it used to be twen- ty-five.’ to, and grandmotherse