The Topeka state journal. [volume], December 12, 1908, LAST EDITION, Image 16

About The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980

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TOPEKA STATE JOUENAL, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 12, 1908.
WiHARIS FASHIONS
FOR. THE CflRI STM AST IDE Eg
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Aarff Noel, as the French call 6ur last charmer. My, but men are inter- e: mm; , .' ' " s
Jf v " ' -V A 'l4.
AK1S, Kov. 28. Christmas, or
Noel, as the French call our
g Isold's birthday, is. as every
o:ie knows, aside from its re
iisijus si'j-niScance.- the children's fes
tival in France. On the 24th of De
cember the small folk of French
households rective their gifts, while
the grownups have to wait until New j
Year's daj' for tht ir presents and
parties. Even at this early date, how- ;
ever, the merry Yult.tkle spirit is '
abroad. On r.W tlie avenues and bou- I
levards are lines of sayly decked
booths with Christmas wares for sale, !
amu sins toys that delight the children j
and laces and needlework that appeal
to mamma. The men arc1 not forgotten
in this happy melange of good things,
for on the street corners pretty
French girls hold out tempting bou
tonnieres for monsieur. And how
pleased as Punch is this same gentle
man when th, fair vender coquettishly
offers t i pin the flower in the lapil of
his coat: The pretty ceremony usually
ends with a courtesy end Vilerci, mon
sieur." for the franc whicawis nonchal
antly dropped into the young girl's
hand in exchange for the gardenia or
bunch o,f violets, the market price of
wb-ich is 3 sour..
The other day I watched with great
amusement a particularly gallant
American r.ian who seemed to be try
ing to corner the curbstone flower
market here in Paris. Kvery attrac
tive Hower seller found him an easy
prey, ;.nd he foxiiy U:rew away the
last blossom when out of sight of the
last charmer. My, but men are inter
esting as psychological studies! It is
a popular impression, though, among
women that they (the fair sex) are very
much more interesting than men.
In this view woman is materially
supported by the drama and the liter
ature of the day, which are almost en
tirely devoted to the presentation of
feminine problems. So much, indeed,
is this the case that an unthinking
person might easily be led to imagine
that man was a mere machine of ex
quisite simplicity the inner workings
of which were not worthy of serious
consideration. A more absurd theory
does not exist, for of course man in
his own way is fully as interesting as
woman. I make this statement all the
more unreservedly knowing full well
that no man ever reads "stuff" on the
woman's page. Personally I think man
has been too much overlooked in mod
ern journalism. I know in my own
case I am tired of the everlasting dis
cussion of woman. I am tired of
hearing about her and reading about
her and talking about her. In the fu
ture I am going to devote a little of
my time to the study of that simple
elemental thing called man. And I do
iot think that the subject will prove
any more boring than the study of wo
man, while there is a possibility that
it may prove more interesting.
The Dullness of Mankind.
It is of course true that most men
are rather dull. Only the other day a
friend of mine came to consult me as never effaces himself,., and the duller
to whether she would marry a. certain he is the more he wants you to marry
man who had just proposed to her.
"He's awfully nice and kind," she ex
plained, "and all ' that sort of thing,
and I am sure he would make a good
husband; but, oh, dear, he's so dull!"
Well, of course, as I endeavored to ex
plain to her, that is exactly what most
men are. But then so are most wo
men. The only difference is that wo
men know when they are dull, and
men do not. That is why the dullness
of a dull man is . more obvious than
that of a dull woman. The latter
knows how to efface herself. A man
pointed. Very few men one meets at
a dinner party are amusing, but many
are extremely interesting, if only
psychological problems. Looked at in
this light, one's neighbor at dinner and
one's partners at dances frequently
display characteristics as surprising as
any displayed by the most complex of
women. ,
Little Weaknesses of the Great.
As a matter of; fact, men are in
finitely more complex than . women'.
One has only to approach them in the
right spirit to make all kinds of amaz
ing discoveries. The underlying fri
volity of the serious minded business
man is one of them. Only the other
day two members of the Paris bourse
were suspended for "skylarking." And
I hear that Marathon races are much
in vogde at this center of speculative
enterprise, the winner being reward
ed with a cocoanut or a "certificate of
merit." Only an extremely solemn
business ,. man . could indulge in such
infantile pastimes. No thoroughly
frivolous woman would ever indulge in
part from his matrimonial persist- i Marathon races around her salon, still
e. vthe dullness of the average man I less of skylarking in any public insti
tution wnere sne was supposed to De
engaged in earning her living. - To
tell the truth, she does not know how
to skylark. . Perhaps it would be better
if she did. Perhaps she will take to it
yet. There are two well known society
women at the Ville Luminiere who
have lately adopted the fashion of
man "who takes you in, the probability turning "cart wheels" as they leave the
Is that you will be hideously disap- dining room. These antics may be
him. Such, I think, is the experience of
most women.
A
ence,
displays itself in a variety ot ways
which- become really, interesting when
looked at from the psychological view
points Everything naturally depends
uportbne's attitude- in the matter- - If
you gi to a dinner party, for instance,
expecting to be amused in the ordi
nary-acceptation of the word by the
leading the way to greater frivolity. I
really do not know. AH I know is that
it takes a really serious man to play
the fool well and that the more strenu
ous his life the more irresponsible will
be his gambols in private. Here end
eth the first lesson of man and his lit
tle vagaries.
The Parisian Scarf Veil.
But I reckon a description of the
new scarf veil that the Parisienne is
wearing will interest you more than a
further accounting of man's idiosyn
crasies. To digress a moment, don't
you think the chapeaux of the winter
are fascinating? They are very pic
tuesque and becoming and in some
rare instances practical. The large
flat felt hats I find entirely charming
trimmed with a voluminous veil. This
is, to be sure, a distinctly picture
style and one that has been adopted
by several notable beauties. Mme.
Catulle Mendes, 'wife of the well
known ppe.U dramatist and critic, fre
quently wears hats of this genre, and
so does Mme. Rostand and others. A
hat of the order now under consid
eration must be exceptionally large in
the brim and possessed of a low
crown, while the wide brim is prac
tically flat, but drooping slightly in
front and in the back. Then the im
mensely long scarf which is used as
trimming is laid carelessly around the
crown in cloud fashion, puffed up into
two or three loops at one side toward
the back, and one very long end is al
lowed to float over the right shoulder
and to wander down ' to the knees ia
front. I know of no more becoming
hat to a tall and stately woman than
this, and it looks especially well
when worn with one of the new walk
ins costumes which have an excep
tionally long semitight coat In connection-with
a very clinging skirt. I
have seen such a hat as that Just
described exquisitely carried out in
shades of dark gray green. The scarf,
which was of very thin crepe de chine,
was in a slightly lighter tone of green
than the silk beaver hat, and at on
side there were several handsome but
tons of cut steel and enamel holding
down the fragile material.
The idea of a single floating string,
whether it be a wide end of chiffon or
a comparatively narrow end of velvet
attached to the hat, is the rage of the
moment. Double strings, tied loosely
at one side, near the ear, are In great
favor with the American women living
here in Paris, but the Parisiennes pre
fer the single string which lends itself
to such fascinating effects. k It can. be
either wound tightly around the throat
a stunning notion when black velvet
is used or thrown over the shoulder
as carelessly as possible when. chiKen
is the fabric.
Underbrim Hat Trimmings.
As if it were not enough to swoop
the big hat brims down over the hair.
Alphonsine, one of the smartest milli
nery artists we have, is" now adding
trimming under the brim. There is no
return to the bandeau, but the trim
ming fills in all the spaces that might
by chance be exposed by the lift of
the chapeau. Flowers are sometime
used for this purpose, but more often
ostrich tips, rosettes of filet tulle and
broad bows of satin ribbon with short
ends. Many women this season took the
bandeaux out of their last winter's hats
to bring it up to date and have found
the removal of this support anything
save becoming or comfortable. A
remedy is at hand by applying Al
phonsine's underbrim treatment. A
bow beneath the brim at any point
where the exposure is too pronounced
will do the trick modishly.
While upon millinery matters intent
let me tell you about the latest trim
ming' in flat effect. It is an ostrich
plume arranged to look like a large
bow, with several loops, each tip
forming a loop and the "bow" held to
gether in the middle by a handsome
buckle.
With regard to the "heads" of the
season, every effort is being made to
dress the hair in the most natural
manner possible, always bearing in
mind that considerable width is neces
sary because of the size of the present
day hat and toque. Very little fringe,
if any, is worn on the forehead, but
little curls are introduced over the
temples, which give the face a par
ticularly sweet and childish appear
ance. Tailored Fur Coat.
Something quite new is the so called
"tailored" 'fur coats that are literally
in three pieces muff. Jacket and de--tachable
incroyable collar either with
or without deep lapels beneath the
throat and fastening with large orna
mental buttons. Stoles are extremely
long, reaching in many instances to
the very bottom of the dress skirt, and
the smart stoles all come to the knee
at least and are waist depth in the
back. So much like a coat are these
rtoles that all they lack are sleeves to
make them a completed wrap. The
j broad, flat stole is at its best when
developed in short haired fur, but is
quite as often seen in lynx, black fox
and stone marten: Indeed, nothing
j seems impossible in the hands of a
' good furrier.
i CATHERINE 7a:.OT.
Svzry 5&oman In Cum a philosopher or a fatalist
fAM not exactly a fatalist, but I
confess I env fatalists some of
their attributes.
For instance, if you are making
a dress and you spoil it and you're nbt
a fatalist you blame j'ourself eternally.
But if you belong to that philosophic
cull you merely shrug your shoulders
and exclaim. "It was fate!" Then you
put away the
pieces as far
from your eyes
as you can and
begin some other
labor fate has
decreed you will
succeed in. You
don't sob and
sigh and tear
your hair out.
What's the use?
The thing was
f o r e o rdained.
Neither do you
bitterly reproach
yourself, for
what could you
do but fulfill the
Hi IK
You blame tGtirHclf
eternally.
eternal decree, the dope sheet of your
life, to use a slang expression?
Oh, my friend, what peace of mind
can follow the belief that you are
scheduled to do certain things on cer
tain dates, beginning at one time and
ending at another, and that you have
nothing at all to do with it but sit
back and watch things happen.
Even the knowledge that you have
made a fool of yourself on certain
memorable occasions doesn't bring a
hot blush to your cheek, for you were
scheduled to appear that way at that
particular time that was all there was
to it. . "
Fatalism approaches very near phi
losophy. As we know, nothing ever
moves very much the philosopher. We
all of us become philosophers and
semi-fatalists some time in life,, and
then things don't hurt us so much.
It's the young hearts full of fire and
ambition that suffer the most. They
go up against life, spear and buckler
In hand, intending to force everything
from it. Sometimes they are stronger
than-life, but oftenest life is stronger
than them. It lazily stretches out one
powerful arm and forces them back,
back . against the very walls of their
endurance, where they must either
give way or die. Wise is the human
being that gives way, seeking comfort
in philosophy, no matter what kind
it Is, fatalism or higher thought or
dear knows what.
Be True to Yourself.
Take my advice, my friends, and hug
to your heart whatever heals you most,
but don't oh, don't reproach yourself,
for in self reproach lies utter destruc
tion. I don't know what makes me
write so seriously today, but perhaps
some woman will read this who is in
bitter trouble and who doesn't know
how to take it, some woman who
spends burning days and nights ask
ing herself that awful question,
"Why?" that question which - never
can and never will be answered and
perhaps reading this will help her.
Don't take it so hard, my dear.
Don't make yourself suffer the same
thing over and over.- Life is a very
powerful jthing, and it's no disgrace to
be -beaten by it. Be a bit of a fatalist.
This thing was decreed against you.
and it had to come to pass. Now lt"
over. Cut yourself loose from all that
has to do with it and begin again. God
bless you!
Ballots Lead to Graft.
What women need more than any
thing else is to become broader and
more charitable.
When any one asks me if we are
ready for the ballot I laugh, and if the
person insists on knowing why Kate
Clyde is so old fashioned I laugh the
harder.
Kate Clyde is anything but old
fashioned. She is too far ahead if
anything, she
sees women as
they ought to
be, and then when
she sees them as
they ; are she
prays and hopes
the rod of power
may . be kept
from their hands
for many a long
day. .
"But," remarks
a would be re
former, "the bal
lot would revo
lutionise Wftmsn-
IU become. ara,te,. kind wou,d maJe
the sex strong and noble and fearless,
just as you want it to be."
You'll have to prove it to ' me, for I
see evidence to the contrary. I have
f . rr jrr Jflf r 1 1
4 -1 fi
-ti it. y. t V . -
JUST AS SHE HOPED AND EXPECTED
had unusual opportunities to observe
men in politics, and I can positively
affirm that, far from improving them,
power in politics and the ability to
swing votes make of them the most
universally despicable set of lazy
grafters I have ever seen In my life.
You will pardon the strong language,
but it isn't overdrawn. Put the aver
age man in politics and he becomes a
grafter to the end of his days. He
hasn't the strength or the ambition to
be anything else. And this is the in
fluence which is going to make wo
men stronger and more noble!
If they were strong in the first place
it would be the finest thing in all the
world for them to have votes. But
look at them!
For every woman isn't there nearly
always some man who is able to "bam
boozle" her?
Woman an Easy Victim.
What does the average good woman,
carefully sheltered, know about life?
Her views are enough to make the
angels snicker. She doesn't know and
she doesn't care to know anything but
the latest style in lingerie blouses and
the highest temperature to heat the
baby's bottle. Would you give an in
telligence like that the right to vote
on vital issues?
And does the old maid reformer
know much more when she thinks that
stamping out vice means simply to
enact blue laws? ,
And would you want a woman, the
present kind of a woman, to be your
judge if you were brought to trial or
had to depend on her for any kind of
justice? Heaven preserve us!
And have you more than one woman
friend who wouldn't throw you down
if you became poor or shabby? You
are in luck if you have!
And can you ever keep anything in
petticoats from being jealous? Just
think how that could be played on.
And what kind of a surgical opera
tion would be required to make the
average woman one meets socially
speak directly to you as one fellow be
ing to another instead of going round
Robin Hood's barn? i
My friends, I could keep on writing
questions like that forever. Our sex'
is waking up. but it is far from be-
j ing awake yet. The trouble is all i
I within us. When women are fit fori
j the ballot they'll get it, but in the !
I meantime let us bave pity on ourJ
country; it would be a crime to give the
average woman in her present unbal
anced, emotional, petty and easily in-
Slic doeHit't varc to kiioic.
I
I
fiuenced st.-te of mind the right to
vote in it.
Let us change all we can. Let us
become firmer, more straightforward
and more courageous and let us help
others to do the same thing. We shall
be accomplishing far more good in this
way than by thrusting the ballot into
weak hands. It would be a Joke to
give it too.
New York. f
TO MAKE A JABOT.
Nowadays nearly all women weat
jabots.- With tailor mades and even
more elaborate costumes- they are the
neck finishing par excellence. As sucb
jabots cost a sum almost prohibitive
to the average woman's purse, most of
these dainty bits of lingerie are manu
factured at home. Among the pret
tiest of the jabots is the 'grandfather's'
frill," which is constructed as follows:
It is of three narrow' ruffles set on
either side of a three-quarter inch wide
strip of fine muslin. The ruffles may
be of the finest old muslin or lace and
each two. two and one-half or three
inches wide. The strip of ruffles la
caught at the neck with a pin or tiny
bow of satin or a butterfly arrange
ment of mull and lace. It runs straight
down the front and is tucked into the
belt. The little square plaited pieces
of embroidered mull that are worn with
linen collars are made of a half of a,
handkerchief. They are caught to the
base of the collar with a bar or bow
knot instead of the too common horse
shoe, . .,