The Matrimonial Trunk.

Otago Witness, Issue 2471, 24 July 1901, Page 68

The Matrimonial Trunk.

H-ive you a "matrimonial trunk"'? A collection of buds which bui.-t through ihs petals ot seclusion into the garden of Society at the beginning of the present season is responsible for starting a iashion which will naturally have many lollowers :

It came about in thi« way, according to the explanation of one of the young women. The marriage of a friend had led to a revelation m the number and variety of '"pietty things" gathered by the bride in anticipation of the change in her state. The young woman w ho wasn't going to be married — at least not just then — v. as all admiration. When she had told her friends about the iovel}'- things that Mabel had, she wondered, «.omewhat doubtmgly, if the would have as nice thing* at her own wedding.

Her own speculation gave her the idea. "Why, of couis-e 1 em have ju.-t as fine," she said suddenly, "dnd so can all you girls. I'll tell you what well do. We'll start to fill a mauini'jmal trunk."

"What"s a mdtrimonial trunk?'' a'-ked the others in chorus.

"ThatV an invention of the «pur of the moment," returned the proposer. "Tuis is what I suggest : Let each girl set aside from ;»mong her t;u)iki> one particular trunk which is to contain only tho«e things which are to be part of the trousseau."

"Whdt trousseau?" a^din demanded the girls. "Xot one of v«, is engaged.''

"Or comse not." iuibueied the inventor. But we shall be in the course ot time. Such things have been known to happen, yon know. Well, when we get married we shall not be withoii f finery If you don't want to i-c9 a tru.ik foi the purpo-e. why. you might take a bnx f 10111 a s^ore, line it with roe-coloured sf'k. and covti it to match the tint ot voitr loiini

"ItiLo Uii> b ix or tunik piU imw <nul then a bit of rinerr. I kno^ wlu't I '-hall start mine with- -that b°RiiMui <a.idal wood fan I eot, for my buthday. Then a fine ku;° handkerchief once 111 a while, a pair of hhppci^, or spme*hii's; !ik> that "Vi«," pit m .mother of the buds. "And T shall put away that eiderdown dre-«;ng s.i'jyue mmniic 1 g.ive me the oilier day. I haven't \\oa.u it .jet, so it will dv lacelj."

All the others discovered they had something suitable to the purpose, and so the fad °of the matrimonial trunk was fairly started. Since the decision was made the girls have been adding to the collections, and they are now in an advanced stage of perfection. Every three months it is the intention of the Voting women to hold a private exhibition, at which each will be given an opportunity to vie% the progress made by the others. The matrimonial trunk is now a thoroughly established institution in certain quarters. The girls, when they get a neAv piece of finery, tell each other they have something mere for the ''in. t.," as they have clubbed the receptacle.