The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 15, 1903, Page 12

o OATA NE2? CUMMINGS, e well-known who is had the treat men woman, even he realized for make-up was ith and flirted ing the whole the unmasking, but fterward, even when de all pretense of no one would ac- until he removed 1 as his mask. e, of all that has e advisability attend this most ive festival ngs’ observa- toward the thus freed from al restraint is ant and interesting. on this page show Mr. Cummings’ and acting of the part of a gir and his own story, which follows, tells the rest. EN the of assuming the r womean et the Gras first suggested it- g An- performance the Columbia that things 1 succumbed rience and de- of it gine gs of dismay that er me when, after fully expecting a even the vise r a woman, when and 1 were of where I shoy ¢ me before, P : stinct of sex; I ac t emen to ed that way with my e Tig said one of the e but firmly taking me in . g me around My companion, & - e val spirit, accept- u ke and Jeft ) & feeling of & ment sudden- about to pro- e confronted 1 was sks, please t would best ex- the situa- it and removed my He smiled in had not the hing .but 2 girl, llewed with quick- room for the the remark. Ladies’ dressing-room this fore 1 could recover from jshment 1 was caught up by the women and carried along. attended a Mardl Gras at tion before, 1 had no idea ge “to the right” might STANFTOXRD ATTTLTO L7 or might not lead me and 1 was certainly i quandary, though after a moment's tion I sald to myself: ‘Well, you are in for it now, old man. ce up and be a woman.” it obviously, even though my disguise s0 perfect that without a mask I was recognized as & man, I could not un- clogk In the ladies’ dressing-room, so it was with a sense of rellef therefore that 1 discovered that the passage “to the ght,” which I had been forced to take ainst my will, simply led me back to main staircase again and that I could nue on and up to the men's dressing- room. quite as if 1 had followed my cow- boy escort without interference. But here again my tendency to forget that 1 was a woman or father to remember that ] was a man brought me into trouble. At the threshold of the men's dressing-room I was stopped and turned back with the polite reminder t ladies’ dressing-room was to the right.” After this second experience s too surprised and annoyed to mor of the situation and was ra- con growing angry when my COWDO, appeared and, laughing immoderately at the ludicrousness of it all, took charge of my cloak and left me free to be a or a woman, just as I chose, for the evening. He had no de- ns about my identity to spoil his pleasure in the fun at hand. After a few es’ hesitancy I determined to have none either. If I must be a woman, well —s0 be it usting my mask I calmly and <on- fidently descended the stairs. At the first landing I unexpectedly came upon a pretty miss surreptitiously dabbing at her nose with a powder puff, and acting upon the impulse to further test my dis- guise, kindly asked her if she would loan it to me, explaining that I had negligent- ly left my own at home—which was true. The request was graciously complied with, and then after rearranging a (ew curls here and there and devoting the usual time at the mirror, I thanked her and continued down the stairs to nun- gle with the merry throng. 1 soon saw there were several girls as- suming the same character as myself, and who, upon catching sight of me, scrutinized me carefully from head to feet, especially the feet. We measured weapons, @s it were, and I thought they would surely note some gross defect in my attire, but subsequent developments proved that my disguise was complete. While évery one seemed to be endeavor- ing to discover the identity of friends, 1 was accosted several times by both men and women, who thought they recognizea in me some friend or acquaintance, but when they found that they were mistaken the mystery of my identity gradually deepened until I soan realized that I was being eagerly watched from all sides. Thereafter my shyness was something more than a pose until strains of music announced the commencement of the real festivities and the grand march began to form. While awaiting my partner I was approached by a gentleman of the Ori- ent, who sald: “May I have the pleasure of your com- pany through the grand march?” Being so suddenly surprised, I hardly knew what to say, but, bringing my wits together as best I could, I stammered: “I have been expecting the return of my partner for soffe time, but he is evi- dently unable to locate me. However, we will stroll along and in case I do not see him you may take his place.” As my cowboy escort failed to appear NIV STV ILE S Wk SOTILE TLTIG MNORE THAN A4 LA on the horizon, the grand march was his. The waltz following was enjoyed by myself, and, judging from the profuse thanks at the close of the dance, it was equally enjoyed by my Oriental friend. And then, from the numerous requests for the second dance, 1 was well assured 1 would not be a “mural design.” At this interval, while resting upon one of the settees, I could not imagine why so many looks were cast in my di- rection until sudc a lady In a court costume sitting at my side leaned over and said in a horrifying whisper: “My dear girl, you are showing your garter.” Gazing down, I realized then what had caused the ost fixed stare of evéry one. For a minute or two I was cover- ed with as much confusion as a woman, and after that 1. was very careful about my skirts when sitting down. The incid, had not been lost upon those of the masculine gender around me, howes 1 soon discovered now much even such a little unintentional and unc ssion or coquetry or what you w to do witd fixing a woman's status, even with her own sex, but nevertheless thereafter it seemed funny to have the men in the boxes flirt- ing with me. With the military men I became ex- ceedingly popular. In fact, three army officers were my most persistent admir- ers. During the entire evening' I had these three constantly at my heels, and I can now plainly understand why- the girls are so infatuated with “Military buttons.” Thelir actions and manners to- ward me were ardent in the extreme, and I really enjoyed the dances with them and had many a pleasant tete-a-tcte over the punch-bowk . While dancing with one fine-looking lieutenant for the third or fourth time, for want of something better to say I inadvertently commented on how fine he looked in his uniform and how perfectly it fitted him. (I didn’t realize before how much men like to be complimented on their clothes.) This evidently gave him the opening he had been walting for and he was quick to take advantage of it. “Men’s clothes are decidedly uninterest- ing,” he said, “But such a costume as you are wearing—why you cannot realize how perfectly dandy you look in it,” he fin- fshed with enthusiasm. “Really,” I exclaimed. “Really,” he repeated. “Because you carry it 8o well you don’t realize that it takes a girl with a smashing fine figure to wear it. It is so simple. There is so little of it (for a moment I became pain- fully conscious of my legs) that only a girl with your grace, your poise, your cleverness, your merry—may I gay fi— abandon—(I winced at the last word)— dash if you prefer it he hastened to correct, “could make it so fascinating, T like a girl of a goodly height,” and his arm tightened against my waist and drew me closer. 1 drew away. He smiled ard went on as if in justification of the privilege he bad assumed. “If you don't believe what I say just look at the other girls who are wearirg the same costume. They stand around without attracting the slightest bit of attention. They seem to be afraid of thelr short skirts.” (I knew the feeling and would have been duly sympathetic had he given me a chance to speak.) There is only one—that tall blonde over there, but she hasp't anything of your svelte litheness, your suppleness, and, best of all, your strength. There is noth- ing so fine in a woman as strength and THE SUNDAY CALL. daintiness combined. Don't you think so?” 1 id I did, and added: ‘‘And nothing 80 fine in a man as strength and sincer- ity.” *‘Oh, don’t think T am trying to flatter, he said. “You are not the sort of & woman who can be flattered at all. That is why you are so interesting. “No,” I answered. “I am not the sort of a woman who can be flattered, but nevertheless, 1 don’t think you know me at all.” “What man ever did know women? Yuo're quite beyond us, bless you,” he ex~ claimed ‘laughingly, and then growing suddenly serfous, almost sentimentally impressive, he said softly in my ear, while his arm again tightened about me: “But I should like to know you better, very much better. There are so many seeking your favor that I may not have another chance to dance with™-you. Won't you permit me to call.” No, T can’t do that,” I said, suddenly repressing a desire to laugh at the absur- dity of it all. “Do,” he urged. “No,” I repeated. “Why not?” he asked persuasively. “Because,” 1 began, “there are rea~ sons—" “‘Oh, I understand,” he interrupted with almost a touch of insinuation in his tone. “Well, I'll. call you up. then. What is your telephone number?” he finished with an eagerness that surprised me. Looking him squarely in the eyes, I gave him the first figures that came in my mind and abruptly concluded the dance. The sarcasm fn my voice was lost upon him, however, and doubtless he is now looking for a lottery ticket with the corresponding number. Immediately thereafter a flirtation car- ried on with an elderly gentleman occu- pying one of the boxes terminated amus- ingly inasmuch as 1 had known him per- sonally for some years. Being cognizant of the fact that I had made an impression and knowing his susceptibility tc women, T determined to bring into play my most bewitching smiles and fascinating man- ners. His wistful eyes followed me &s L whirled round and round the ballroom, and whenever in the vicinity of his box 1 used my weapons advantageously. Latet, concealed behind a portiere in one of the upper boxes, I watched him for awhile, At my non-appearance for one or two dances he became quite agitat- ed and seemed to evince no interest in the conversation of his companions. I also noted his disappointment and sor- rowful looks which brought his fe rel into visible expression. An hour previous the idea of having an introduction caused . LSocziet L% zxACY me to shudder lest he shoula recogrize me, but now calling to mind the “New Thought,” in the words of William Walk- o wenlfo the y £ Zer 2 zzZ- AT TLIT G AL A TA2TE T TERLE TV o T RERS T 11‘_'/ AZTLEZET7) IR . er Atkinson, *T asserted the mastery of my real self,” and sald, “I will.” The opportunity soon presented itself F LK, AZNY ITIC / ’f/ \/ through the medium of a mutual friend, and we were loft to ourselves. Whenm 2 feigned fatigue he suggested wa seak some obscure place and sit out a dance. Indeed, you do me a great honor,” sald he, overflowing with pleasurable anticipa- tion when we were alone, “but I fear you will find an old dog like me much less en- tertaining t! these gay and festive young chaps.” “Do not be too sure of that,” I replied, “for do you know that girls are often most fond of middle-aged men? They thust have some intelligent stimulation to act as@n antidote for the nonsense and vagaries of the sentimental youth™ “AR, yes,” sald he, “Dut upon an ee- casion of this kind, for example, where the evening’s enjoyment is given over to dancing, we are either compelled to re- maln away, or come and sit with out~ ward complacency in & box. while inward- Iy snvy and jealousy are holding high jinks. However, you encourage me with your last remark, and how could I but believe the words emanating from such & pretty mouth, and gulded by the brilliant light of sincerity from—may I say—your beautiful eyes.” He stopped, hesitated a moment, while he looked about to be sure that we would not be heard, then went on beguilingly: “After all, it is not this wild reveiry, this gay romp that makes men and wo- men attractive to each other. It is the quieter moments when they can be alone, theater for instance, or a deliclous supper afterwards. Do you ever dine out?” 1 began to grow vexed and Impatient and fumbled my foll awkwardly. Really this was too clumsy of a man I knew so well as the one beside me.” He reached over to take my hand, but I laughed out- right and drew away from him. “Do not think me—" he bega sentence remained unfinished, were interrupted by the arri friend of the blue domino, cla other dance. One of e shortly after 12 great surprises relock, whe duced to a stalwart Roman extended® me an invitatio Here’s where I was “up a st and the thoughts quickly coursed tb mind what would happen if, aft up several small bottles, he should dis ver my sex and being 8o thoroughly dupe.l leave me to settle the bill without pocket. With an ingenious excuse I spectfully declined and as I walked awa 1 overheard him say to a friend, “M Dieu, isn’t she a peac Even after discarding my mask I w still a girl and nc my colffure aid e man. Then ma ers came up and joined bearty laugh at their ow I would not go through again for a fortune, ted to pass an opinion « of allowing men to mask Gras, about which so muct ment has been made. I treatment I received as a w not have been more teous. I did not know before, however, how stupld men could become when they at- tempted to be sentimental or flirtatious on short acquaintance. yman could ectful or cour