LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3051, 4 September 1912, Page 73

LADIES' GOSSIP.

Some remarkable figures regarding the number of women" who were reported to the London police as having disappeared are given by the Home Secretary. During the last 12 months 1118 girls between the ages of 10 and 16 were reported to the Metropolitan police as missing. Of these 1102 were traced. Two thousand six hundred and seventy-six women of all ages above 16 were reported as missing, and 2540 of them were traced. In the case of the 16 girls and 136 women who were not traced, their absence is in many cases explainable, for such reasons as their having absconded to avoid paying debts, having quarrelled with friends or husbands, and a variety of other causes. A pretty story about Queen Alexandra, told by a lady honoured by intimacy with her Majesty, is published by the London correspondent of the Scotsman. When on Alexandra Day the Queen was starting on a drive round the scene of the operations of the flower-sellers she felt a little nervous at venturing out among the crowd for the first time unaccompanied by her late husband. She had jusfc remarked to her companion in the carriage that what she sharply missed was the working man's greeting, "Good Old Teddy," familiar when King Edward went among his people, when a roughly-dressed man standing close to the carriage remarked in a tone of profound personal regret, "Poor Old Teddy." The Queen was deeply affected and profoundly pleased at an incident which testified that King Edward still lives in the memory and hearts of the humbler class of his people. Lady Ulrica Baring, the youngest daughter of Lord and Lady Feversham, has always shown a marked liking for serious pursuits. She went through a course of study at Girton, qualified for a hospital nurse, and interested herself in various schemes of charity and philanthropy. ~ In the course of work in the East End of London she made the acquaintance of the present Bishop of London, then Bishop of Stepney. An engagement ensued between these two gifted people, but it was broken off, and a year or two ago Lady Ulrica married the Hon. Everard Baring, a brave soldier.

A Vejretarian Lady Athlete

We read in the Clu'cago Daily News of a remarkable walk accomplished by a lady —Mrs David Beach—who arrived in Chicago, having walked 1071 miles from the New York Globe to the office of the Daily News in 42£ walking days. On tha trip she drank pineapple juice instead of water, and ate only raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts. She averaged 25 miles a day. She undertook the trip to prove her contention that a vegetarian diet is best. At the end of the walk she still had sufficient energy to say:—"l would gladly go on to San Francisco if I thought it necessary to give any further proof that a vegetable diet will sustain the body perfectly through the hardest kind of work. I have not the slightest doubt that I could continue my walk on the non-meat diet indefinitely, averaging, perhaps, even more than the 25 miles a day I made coming to Chicago. I am a bit weary of the walking, but the raw food diet has never palled, and ha 3 always proved adequate nourishment to carry me over the worst roads and through the most severe physical strains." The report says that Mrs Beach is the mother of two little daughters.— The Animals' Friend.

A Princess Waitress.

It has remained for Princess Maria Aiexandrovna Garatzina, whose family is included among the largest landowners in Kussia, to put Tolstoy's teaching to the practical test by giving up her wealth find earning her living by her own hands. The princess, who is 23 years of age, recently left her parents' house and became a servant.

Her first "place"' was that of kitchenmaid in an hotel. She had to rise at 4 o'clock in the morning and clean a hundred pairs of boots daily. Site next be came a waitress, but the life was too strenuous for her, and she fell ill. On recovering she became a saleswoman in a large shop. The experience she passed through at this calling, however, did not please her, and she found another situation as waitress.

The princess is quite content with her lot. She declares that she is happier than when she lived in the family palace doing nothing. She intends to tarn her own living during her lifetime, and hopes to die a working woman.

A Race for a Wife.

Among some of the ruder tribes of men, where physical excellence counts for the chief merit, the custom of running races for a bride has always been a favourite one

Among the Hufarehs, a people of Asia, the suitors of a maiden, usually nine in number, appear in a field all unarmed, but mounted on the best horses they can procure. The bride herself, on a beautiful Turkoman horse, surrounded by her relatives, anxiously surveys the group of lovers.

The girl has the advantage of a certain start, which she avails herself of to gain a sufficient distance from the crowd to enable her to manage her steed with freedom, so as to assist in his pursuit the lover whom she prefers. Whichever first succeeds in encircling her waist with his arm is entitled to claim her as his wife.

Signal for the Chase.—

When satisfied with her position she turns round to the impatient suitors and stretches out her arm to them. Each of the eager lovers darts like the unhooded hawk in pursuit of the fugitive dove. The

savannah is generally 12 miles long and three in width, and as the horsemen speed across the plain, the favoured lover becomes apparent by the efforts of the maiden to avoid all others who approach her.

On a certan occasion, after two hours' racing, the number of pursuers was reduced to four, who were all together and gradually gaining on the pursued. With them was the favourite, but his horse suddenly fell, and the. girl turned anxiously to perceive with dismay the hapless position of her lover. ■—An Adroit Manoeuvre. —

Each of the more fortunate leaders, eager with anticipated triumph, bending his head on his hoise's mane, shouted at the top of his voice. She, making a sudden turn, and lashing her horse almost 'to a fury, darted across their path and made for her lover. The three others instantly checked their careers, but in their hurry to turn back two of the horses were dashed furiously against each'other, so that both steeds and riders rolled over on the plain. The maiden laughed, for she thought she could easily elude the single horseman, and flew to the point where her lover was. But her only pursuer was rarely mounted, and not so easily shaken off. Making a last desperate effort, he dashed alongside the maiden, and stretching out his arm, almost secured the unwilling prize ; but she, bending her head to her horse's neck, eluded his grasp, and wheeled off again. Ere the disappointed horseman could again approach her, her lover's arm was around her waist, and amid the shouts of the spectators they turned toward the starting point.

Penniless, Yet a Philanthropist.

In the Literary Digest an interesting account is given of how a Miss Sophie Wright, born of poor parentage in New Orleans, 46 years ago, died recently after a life of philanthropic devotion which earned for her the name of "Saint Sophie," and the everlasting gratitude of her fellow citizens. She appears to have drifted into philanthrophy by virtue of her own misfortunes. Not only were her parents poor, but she, herself, at the age of three was crippled and enfeebled in health. Yet at the age of 14 we find her a breadwinner and opening a day school for girls. As the school grew and the father's health failed, she took upon herself the support of the family. Younger sisters were taken into the school later to teach. Younger brothers were educated. But still it was not enough. There were poor to help,' there were boys and men deprived of education, and seeking instruction at night, and no place for them to go free of charge, and so began her life with the King's Daughters, and the opening of the night school that for more than 20 years was the only place of its kind in the city. There was no one to help except moneylenders, and for years she struggled on, paying over and over again in exorbitant interest the money she originally bor rowed. Apparently she eventually triumphed over the octopus of finance, and widened her sphere of activity. After the way of the world, when the worst of her troubles were over she found some of her townspeople interesting themselves m her work. Due to her inspiration and their help, followed a children's annexe to the Home for Incurables ; and she became an active member of a woman's club, of a Civic Improvement and Playgrounds Association, a Prison Reform Association, A State Congress of Mothers, a Travellers' Aid Society, of the Young Women's Christian Association, and the Public Baths Commission. Before she died the people of New Orleans showered numerous honours on her. Her mime, given to the city's high school for girls, will remind posterity, of one who, though penniless in youth, yet found a way to become the moving philanthropic spirit of her birthplace.

Hints and Smrirwuions. Don't wear a lot of imitation jewellery at any time. Don't wear your hair in the fashionable stvle if it does not suit you.

When washing glass or earthenware place the articles in warm, salted water. They will clean more quickly. By immersing an ink-stained handkerchief in milk immediately after it has been stained, and allowing it to soak, the ink will invariably disappear. A few drops of oil of lavender sprinkled on the shelves of a bookcase that is damp will help to prevent the books from becoming mouldy. Leather bindings that have gone mouldy should be rubbed with a cloth slightly moistened with ammonia. Paper bags in which many articles are sent from the grocer's should be saved for use when blacking a stove. The hand can be slipped into one of these, and the brush handled ins* as well, and the hands will not be soiled

To Clean Trays.—Brass trays: Rub thoroughly with a slice of fresh lemon, wash in clean, warm water, dry and .polish with a soft chamois leather. Black Japanned trays: Wash off all dirt with a sponge wrung out of cold water. Dredge flour over ; put aside for 10 minutes, and polish with soft dusters till marks arcremoved.

Save up odd candle-ends and treat them in the following way. They make a fine floorcloth polish. Put them in a jar, stand the jar in a basin of warm water, and then set it on top of the stove for the wax to melt. Then mix the wax with enough turpentine to make it into a soft paste. It gives just as good results as beeswax and turpentine. Shabbv leather chairs may be very much improved by the following treatment : Take one pint of boiled linseed oil, stir L,

one pintof vinegar, and allow it to settle. When required -shake well, and pour a very little on a soft cloth. "Ruh this well into the leather. Keep turning the flannel as it gets dirty, and afterwards rub with a soft duster until all the grease is removed.

When butter goes rancid try the following plan: Take as much butter as you are likely to require, and put it io soak. for a couple of hours in cold water to which a good pinch of carbonate of soda hai been added. Then take it out, and work up into a pat. You will find that the rancid taste has quite disppeared, and the butter is as good as ever. A general habit among thoughtless housewives is to make up a bed in ordt;r to get the room absolutely tidy before the mattress has had time to thoroughly cool i through, and all the bed-coverings have been freshened by the morning air. Sunlight, which is the most health-giving power in the whole world, should ever be given a chance to play upon bedding and bed-clothing, both for children and adults.

A bridal outfit is not to be collected in a hurry—that is if you really enjoy the task of getting together just the things wanted most. An excellent idea for a young girl is to have a large chest into which she can put things she may pick up in the shops, against the day she will need them. Suppose she never dees marry, she certainly must have clothes, and perhaps even table linen and silver, if she stays single all her life.

t3r Descriptions of balls, Ac, moit be endorsed by either the Witness correspondent for the district or by the secretary of the ball committee. The MS. of any correspondents who do not comply with this rule wai be sent to the secretary tor endorsement prior to appearing.—EMMELlNE. To ensure publication in the forthcoming Issue letters should reach the Witness office if possible on Saturday night, but on no account later than Monday nieht.

SPINSTERS' AND BENEDICTS' BALL, HERBERT. On Wednesday, August 21, a return ball to the bachelors of Herbert was held in the Athenaeum Hall: It was an ideal nigfit for the occasion. The holding capacity of ,the hall was taxed to its fullest, and, needless to mention, the function was most enjoyable. The grand march was led off by Mr Fleming and Miss Quigley (secretary and treasurer). The music was supplied by Mr Sherwin (cornet) and Miss Mason (piano), of Oamaru, and the extras were played by Miss Tait and Miss Munroe. Mr "Wilson, who acted as M.C., carried out his duties in a wry creditable manner. The married ladies waited at the table, and assisted in making everything pleasant for their guests. A word of praise is also due to the honorary committee, who worked hard and kept everything going merrily. Some extremely pretty d: esses were worn on the occasion.; Amongst the- ladies present were: —Miss Quigley. cerise crystalline .trimmed-with cream; Miss. Tait, cream radianta; Miss Kennedy, heliotrope mercerised satin; Miss Forbes, white embrodiered dress; Miss Henderson, pink dress and silver trimming; Miss Keys, white embrodercd tunieffi Miss Dillon, pale blue dre;s, silver trimmings; Miss Kevin, black dress; Miss Harvey, cream delaine; Miss Gdanitz, pale blue trimmed with black; Miss Ross, light dress; Miss Caldwell, cream dress; Miss Dick, cream dress; Mrs Morrison, pale blue trimmed with black; Misa Munroe, cream silk: Aliss Wilson, ' cream dress; Miss Johnston, pink dress with cream trimmings; Miss D. Kennedy, pale green mercerised satin; Miss Gibson, blue dress; Miss Frew, cream dress; Miss Minnie Neill, cream dress; Miss Jeannie Watson, cream dress; Miss Elsie Frame, pink mousselir.e da soie, with silver trimmings; Miss Kitchen, white dress; Miss P. Nimmo, cream radianta with pearl trimmings; Miss Hill, cream dress; Miss Davis, cream delaine; Miss M'Mann, cream dress; Miss G. Frame, light blouse and black skirt; Miss Mary Stringer, cream dress; Miss Janie Saunders, white embroidered tunic and deep cerise sash; Miss May Reid, cream blouse and navy skirt; Miss F. Giasford, cream blouse, serge gkirt; Miss May Saunders, pink dress; Miss Ivy Frame, cream; Empire dress; Miss Annie Frew, white dress; Mrs A. Anderson, white blouse, dark skirt; Mrs Thos. Frame, cream silk b'.ouse, black skirt; Mrs Diehl, cream blouse, dark skirt; Mrs J. Johnston, b'.ack dress; Mrs I. Johnston, cream blouse, black skirt; Mrs W. Wilson, cream dress; Mrs Hill, white dress; Mrs Frew, black dress; Mr 3 Saunders, cream dress; Mrs J. W. Stringer, cream dress; Mrs S. Fleming, wbite-and-b!ue flowered, dress; Mts D. Morrison, black dress; Ms H. Ure, dove-coloured dress; Mrs C. E. Fawke, black dress with cream yoke; Mrs J. Paterson, white blouse, b'ack skirt; Mors D. Johnston, white dress; Mrs S. Lindsay, cream delaine; Mrs Cummings, cream dress; Mrs Marshall, Paisley silk and black trimmings; Mrs Robertson, black dress; Mrs Dick, black dress; Mrs Reitl, black skirt, cream blouse. There were also a number of spectators, among whom I noticed Mr and Mrs J. Frame, Mt and Mrs Saunders, Mr and Mrs A. M'Millan, Miss J. M'Millan. and Mr and Mrs Quigley. The hall was tastefully decorated with evergreens and pink. Mr James Frame gave a brief speech on behalf of the spinsters and benedicts. Mr S. Aitcheson, spoke a few word s on behalf of the bachelors, and thanked the spinsters for the time and trouble they had spent in making their ball one of the most enjoyable ever held in the district.—Bachelor. LEAP YEAR BALL. On the V ening of the 23rd uH. the ladies of Hyde held a leap year ball. As regards weather the evening was ideal, and a large number of guests were present from other districts—Dunedin, Macraes, Moonlight, Middlemarch, and Rock and Pillar being represented, and a large gathering of local people filled the hall to the bounds of comfort. The hall was lavishly and tastefully decorated with evergreens, flags, etc., and the floor was in capital order. No effort was spared by the ladies in ci-'ering for the comfort and pleasure of their guests, and a word of praise is due to the energetic secretary. Miss G. M'Bridc, who was the right lady in the right place. • Being a leap year ball, the ladies had the privilege of choice until midnight, and Miss M. M'Bride made a very successful M.C. The music was supplied" by Messrs Emmerson (violin), Matheson, and Bruhns (piano), and after midnight the duties of M.C. were undertaken by Mr A. Trotter. Promptly at 12 p.m. supper was announced, and the good things provided so abundantly were done full justice to by one and all. During the evening songs were rendered by Miss G. M'Bride and Mr P. M'Bride. Not being of the " fair sex," a description of the dresses worn is quite beyond me, but suffice to say that they were all charming.—A Guest. otara spinsters' le\p year ball. The spinsters of Otara held their ball in the Otara Hall on Friday, August 23. As the night was beautifully fine there was a record gathering, visitors being present from Invercargill, Titiroa. Waikawa, and surrounding districts. The catering was in the capable hands of Mr J. Anderson, Fortrose, who gave entire satisfaction. Fully BO couples took part in the grand march, which was led off by Mr and Miss Casey (chairwoman). Great praise is due to Miss Beattie (secretary), who carried out all arrangements

in a very capable manner. Miss Boniface acted as M.C., fulfilling her duties' in tiptop style until 12 o'clock, when it was then handed over to Mr J. M'lntosh. Some very pretty dresses •were worn by the ladies. Amongst those I noticed were: —Miss Casey, tussore silk; Miss Watson (Titiroa), cream silk striped evoning dress; Miss J. Chisholm, white evening dress with silver trimming; Miss Brown, pink dress relieved with black; Miss Shankland. white dress; Miss Beat tie, green silk striped voile; Mliss Templeton, cream evening dress; Miss N. Chisliolm, flowered muslin; Miss Bell Beattie, heliotrope silk evening dress with satin and sequin trimming; Miss Porter, cream dress; Mis ß S. Thwaites, pale green silk; Miss Boniface, cream silk striped voile evening dress relieved with girdle and silver trimming; Miss N. Casey, white taffeta; Miss E. Beattie, pale blue silk; Miss Thwaites. soft white dress relieved with blue; Miss Sparke, cream; Miss M'Kenzie, white dress; Miss A. Shankland, white dress; Miss Gregg, pretty blue dress; Misses King, pink; Miss Black, white dress. The music was supplied by Mr Andrew Beattie and Miss Beattie (secretary) with violins. Song? were rendered by Messrs Taylor and M'lntosh. Mr George Gregg, in a neat speech, thanked the spinsters, on behalf of the visitors, for the generous way in which they had treated them, to which Miss Boniface replied. Dancing was indulged in till, the, early hours of morning, when a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the singing of " Atild lang syne."—A Guest.