Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1894 — THE FAIR SEX. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE FAIR SEX.

DRESS REFORM. Whether the _ impetus given to physical culture and athletics generally is, as some assert, due to the interest in prize fighting and fighters, is a question not irnny province to discuss. If so, then the world will be indebted to the ex-champions and to the future champions for the good health of future generations. It is beginning the education of future grandsons that with their grandfathers in good earnest. If this is not. the cause, then the world must look further for its benefactors, but the result remains the same. “Know thyself” was said by a very wise man, but it has taken centuries to make the human race understand it. I heard a man say

the other day that he had no doubt that he could .have added a cubit to his stature had he known when he was growing what he knows now about physical development. However, it is not men, but women, who have profited most thereby. The movement toward dress reform is gradually gaining ground, and the small waists which were once considered such a mark of beauty are no longer admired. The corset has not yet been driven off the field, and probably will not be for many decades, but it has relaxed its grip on women’s vitals to an alarming degree. There are those who cling to old traditions sufficiently to resort to artifice and all manner of sham to produce the effect of a tiny waist, but this in woman’s province is considered notonly legitimate but the height of art. Other women prefer to revert to the original type as nearly as possible and try to follow the outlines of the natural human figure, than which artists say nothing bn earth is more perfect. In doing this it is impossible to preserve the old line of demarcation between waist and skirt, for this style is an artificial device; suited only to the corseted figure. A jacket something like that shown in the picture is well suited to a human figure in the native state. The jacket is made of bordered goods, with the edges turned together in the back and running into points at the bottom. The same edge trims the cape-like arrangement which falls over the shoulders. The dress here is made of embroidered wool goods, but it would be a very pretty way to make a bordered gingham.

TAFFETA PRINCESS GOWN. Having good reason to fear that John Simonson, prominent man of Oberlin, Kas., and her betrothed lover, is about to marry a Kansas country schoolmam, Miss Martin Morris, of Cleveland, 0,, has applied i'or an injunction, Her attorney advised her to bring an action for breach of promise, but she told him she wasn't after John’s money, she wanted John -himself. Savifian Beebe, of Salem, Conn., while recently spearing for eels, caught one which contained a gold chain bracelet that had been dropped overboard last July, by a young lady who was then a resident of Essex. She rewarded him with a twentydollar gold piece. Mrs. Eva Blackman, who is a member of the Police Board of Leavenworth, Kas., recently removed two policemen because they were bachelors, and appointed two married inen in their places. One of the appointees is her husband. Threee years ago Mrs. Mary Titus, of Williamsport, Pa., lost her voice, and continued speechless until the it her day. At a revival meeting, she suddenly arose and electrified the congregation by shouting, ‘Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.”

A SENSIBLE WAIST.