Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1890 — THE SHAPELY SKIRT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SHAPELY SKIRT.

Goldschmidt Is Trying to Set the Ladles to Wear It. There is a subject under discussion in London that is of deep interest to women everywhere. It ie the “no-mud” skirt, or the “sensible” skirt, as you prefer to call it It has its advantages and its disadvantages. It keeps the skirt out of the mud, but it also makes a woman look shorter than she really is. “It stands four inches off the ground,” said Mme. Goldschmidt of London, the founder of the Patent Shapely Skirt As-

sdciation of London. "As the matter now is a woman has to cany four pounds of mud on her skirts or six pounds of drees in her hand. This does away with both. It is designed especially lorwet weather ” Th e Pall Mall Budget reporter who interviewed Mme. Goldschmidt in London failed to ask her whether any arrangements had been perfected for a quick change of skirts in case a sudden rain

came up, but perhaps booths might bs arranged for this on the street corners. If not, it will be necessary for the ladies to consult the weather reports. “Marie.” one of them will ask, “what does the Signal Service say of the wpath er to-day?”— - “It says,” the maid will reply, after consulting the paper, “ ‘Clear and » si , warm. "Bring out my short skirts and my seal-skin sacque,” the mistress will reply. “I am going down-town.” If they are only to be worn rainy days ladies aye in a serious predicament. But, seriously speaking, will the innovation be popular? This question wae put to a young society woman. ‘ Personally,” she said, “I approve ol

it, but there is another way of finding out how others feel.” “What?” ‘ ‘Ask them whether they have shapely ankles or not." The scheme, however, does present many advantages, and bids fair to be popular. Of course we have equinoctials and other similar things when a Bkirt weighing several pounds is a good deal of trouble to carry

around. Then, again, the street cleaning contract is let to men and not to women, and women object to doing the work of men, especially when uot paid for it. It is somewhat of a question as to whether this isn’t a woman’s rights movement to force recognition for the work women do. It may be that they have agreed to refrain from cleaning the crossings unless the contract has been awarded to them. “But,” is the question, “cannot a dress be arranged so that it can be pulled up in case of a sudden rain?” . Mme. Goldschmidt says it can. She says she has been putting tape into some dresses so that the backs can be pulled up. But she admits herself that it has the disadvantage of being unable to be let down again until the woman gets into some secluded nook. Then, of course, there is the danger of yanking the cord too hard. A system of blocks and pulleys might be arranged over the shoulders, where there is lots ol room at present occupied by high shoul-der-pieces. Here is a chance for an inventor.

He—My dear madam, allow me to express my gratitude for your kind invitation. [Aside: What an infernal bore this is.] She —I am delighted to see you once more, my dear doctor. I was afraid you might be prevented from coming by business. [Aside: The old fool he nevei declines an invitation. I was hoping he would stay away. ] He—l am afraid, my dear madam, that I - trespass on your hospitality. [Aside: If her husband wasn’ t rich and sickly six policemen couldn’t shove me into this house.] She —But, doctor, you know you are heartily welcome. 1 hope you are well. [Aside: I wonder bow long he is going to keep this up? He looks weak on his pins.] He—l am well. There is no necessity for asking after your health. You arq getting younger and more rosy every year. [Aside: It is really surprising how an old hag can rejuvenate herself with red paint and cotton batting] She—O you flattererl [Aside: I’ll say that much tor him; he knows a pretty woman when he seas her.] He—l never flatter. You know that. [Aside: In my business a man must lie some.] She*—l’ll see you again at the supper table. [Aside: Perhaps he will take the hint and go.] Ho—l shall be only tuo happy. [Asido: I’d give $lO if I could snenk away and go to the club.]—7Vwa* Siftingt.

Lugsy—"Goin' into the circus business, Pugsy?” Pugsy—“Nawl I put my tail up in papers last night, and it curls so tight this morning! can’t get my bind feet on the ground.’’—Pits*. '

LOOK ON THIS PICTURE.

THEN ON THIS.

Social HyPocrisy from a Texan Standpoint,

Fashion’s Slave.