Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1900 — WOMANS REALM [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WOMANS REALM

ERECT AND ALERT. THE minute a woman stands lightly on her feet, with knees straight, chest well out, stomach flat, shoulders back and the body from the waist up tilting ever so lightly forward, she has acquired at once a certain smartness of effect that no amount of beauty nor fine clothes could give. A woman simply can’t stand correctly and look slovenly, says the Brooklyn Eagle. The smart girl is never round-shoul-dered or hollow-chested, and by standing properly she breathes properly. Every full, deep breath she draws straightens the muscles of her sides and abdomen. She is bound not to grow Into a flat, ungainly woman, who can never catch her breath or a train, for a proper poise of the body means good digestion and good health. It is probably going too far \o say tha't a girl sets about her being “smart” in order to be healthy, but it Is absolutely true that she is quite likely to grow stronger because of her correct way of carrying her body. How many women sink into a little heap the minute they sit down—shoulders drooping, chest sunken, the whole weight of the body thrown on the end of the spine. The smart girl sits In the . same erect, alert way that she stands, and If she wishes to rest she leans back against her shoulders and not the middle of her back. In bending, whether at a desk or a dishpan or a dlnuer-table, she bends from her waist, not from her shoulders, and she not only looks well, but avoids fatigue and the actual inju- __ ties that come from any strain on misplaced muscles. A Writer of Hymm, Mrs. Jos. Fairchild Knapp, of New York, is said to have comi>osed 5,000 hymns, of which several, such as “Open

the Gates of the Temple” a nd "Blessed Assurance,” are sung in every land. She has written so many hymns that she has forgotten a large number of them. On one occasion, hearing some people singing, she listenedand remark-

ed: “That music sounds familiar. I rather like it, although I think it might be improved upon.” She was somewhat surprised when her companion said: “It ought to be familiar; you wrote it, ten years ago.” In her literary and musical work, she collaborates with Miss Fanny Crosby, the blind poet-musician. The International Sunshine Society, of which Mrs. Knapp is a local officer, lias for its object the bringing of sunshine into the Ilves of those who are poor, despondent or shut in by some incurable complaint It supplies music, flowers, pictures, companions, books and money.—Saturday Evening Post. Lady Hart. The wife of Sir Robert Hart, the inspector general of imperial maritime customs in Pekin. Sir Robert, like the

great wall, Is one of the famous institutions ofChina. He has been a lifelong friend of the country; for fortyeight years he lias dwelt and held office in the celestial < kingdom. The official residence of the in-

spector general In Pekin was built by him with a special view to making it a social center and place of entertainment. To the society of Pekin, which is almost entirely diplomatic in its composition, lie and Lady Hart extended a regular and splendid hospitality. Every weels during tbe winter months they gave a large dinner, followed by a small dance* to which the representatives of all nations were bidden in their turn. In fact, the gntherings were typical of the cosmopolitan service which they led.

When Yon Visit. If a pleasure ts proposed, accept It You are expected to be entertained. The host’s chair and the host’s desk are not to be invaded. Keep your own room neat. Disorder Is most trying to the maid, who will complain of It. And be agreeable to all guests, whether you like them or not. Always ask your hostess, what her plans are for the day, and abide by them. All visitors should recollect that their evenings belong to the host and hostess and they are expected to add to their enjoyment. The Nervous Woman. All the causes which tend to make women thin may be removed, but you may as well place quicksilver in the hands of a nervous woman and expect It to remain perfectly quiet by commanding her to be quiet, as to remove nervousness from the frail woman by acquainting her with the thousand and one things that cause it. She will say: I know that, but It Is my nature to £<>i B®. go, always with every nerve tense as If I had to accomplish everything In the next minute.” To all these nervous womeit if you will not let go, then give nature a chance to strengthen you while you sleep—ln other words, take some nourishing food just before you retire; not strong. Indigestible foods, but a slice or two of whole wheat breed nud butter,

or hot milk, or pared apples, or even some cereal. While you sleep dlgestiori? absorption and assimilation take place, and you will awaken with a refreshed feeling and some'reserve power, at least, the torn-down tissues of the day will have been repaired. How to Go Upstairs, If one would avoid fatigue in climbJng stairs, he must learn how to do it property. A physician of repute tells how this should be done. “Uusually,” he said, “a person will tread on the ball of the foot in taking each step. This is very tiresome and wearing on the muscles of-the legs and feat. You should, In walking or climbing stairs, seek for the most equal distribution of the body’s weight possible. In walking upstairs your feet should be placed squarely down on the step, heel and all, and then the work should be performed slowly and deliberately. In this way there is no strain on any particular muscle, but each one is doing Its duty in a natural manner. The woman who goes upstairs with a spring is no philosopher, or, at least, she is not making a proper use of reasoning faculties.” Dipped in Cologne. Cologne water is stimulating and exhilarating; It is Invaluable In sickness, and for reviving invalids there is nothing which excels it. In a sick room it will dhange a fetid atmosphere more quickly than anything else. After walking or cycling on a Vann day a few drops in the washing water will refresh one; a few drops dabbed on the face with a soft handkerchief will much improve the appearance of a shiny or greasy skin, and so used is a preventive of blackheads, says the American Queen. For sick headaches a handkerch'ef dipped in cologne water and placed at the back of the head and ears will give decided and instant relief, and for a toothache a few drops sprinkled on a bit of absorbent cloth and placed near the aching nerve will soothe the pain. . Art of Darnins'. “I love a beautifully worked darn!” said the good housekeeper. “It implies so much. If I see table linen that has been carefully mended, I say to myself,‘That woman is an excellent housemistress,’ and a girl whose stockings are neatly darned by herself is a girl after my own heart. I tell my sons to find out if a girl darns her stockings before asking her to marry. I know one young woman who sews up her stockings with black thread, and another who wears her stocking until It is useless and then gives it away. I hope neither of those girls will become my daughter-in-law. A neatly mended glove or carefully mended stocking, I say to my boys, is far more attractive than a perfectly new article, for it shows the character of Its owner.”

The White Glove. The {Missing of the white glove is not a source of unmixed lamentation to the woman who desires to follow the edict of fashion. According to the popular idea the boot and glove are the distinguishing characteristics by which a woman of refinement may be recognized among others, that the simultaneous reign of the white glove and the long skirt has been a source of anxiety as well as a shock tb the Innate sense of daintiness of this woman. Now that Paris has declared in favor of tans nnd grays, no doubt a widespread cdiicwrence of opinion as to the general fitness of the glove to the occasion upon which it is to be worn will prevail.— Harper's Bazar. A Fingte Rose. single rose has appeared as a fashionable trimming. Many are the hats of straw that are trimmed with tulle around tbe crown In tbe form of a big soft roll that completely hides it, with a big, nodding rose of pink or red or white at one side standing high upon its stalk, with a leaf or two. The rose is also seen at the back of the stock, at the belt, and on the parasolfour large, beautiful roses—and often they will be scented with powder concealed In their stalks.

I’rOßreselve Women. Miss Sarah Flannagan is city clerk of Kingston, Ont., possibly the only woman who has ever attained such q position in Canada. The only woman rabbi on record h Miss Barbel Frank, who had conferred on her this distinction. by a Jewish church in San Francisco/ One of the youngest notaries public in the country la Miss Kathryn Helmer, of St. Ixmils, wh is 20 years old and has held the position of a notary In that city for two years. Miss Alice Berber, of New York, Is the first woman lawyer of that city to be admitted to practice in the United States district courts and the first to make a specialty of criminal law. Miss Cora A. Wellman has been appointed by the New Hampshire Supreme Court as assignee to wind up the affalDs of the Hinsdale savings bank. She hod been acting as treasurer of the bank, and was recommended for the j>resent appointment, by the incorporators. The übiquitous “American dentist,” held in the highest esteem the world over for superior professional skill, Iras already hung ouj berjMtogle in Manila, and is finding abundant demand for her sen Ices. Dr. Anna M. Sawyer. of New York, te the woman who has taken the Initiative in this instance.

MRS. KNAPP.

MRS. HART.