LADIES' COLUMN.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12796, 30 September 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN.

Make up your mind what you. prefer, the sore of clothes, the type and . style of clothes, that you like best and.'that suit' you best. Stick to them. You can have plenty of variety^—the fashions as they change will give you' that—but when once you know what to wear, the battle is over ; and only experience, personal experience, possibly dear-bought, can really teach- you that. Try to rely upon yourself, try to know what, you want, and then try to'obtain it-. -- -.. vButtons play an important part 'on the simplest toilet of to-day. Suggestive." of; Spring is the hat of blue fancy straw, trimmed 1 with' a large cluster of shaded hyacinths at the side. Nearly. . all ..the severe tailor-made costumes have buttons used in decorative fashion, old silver, gunmetal, filagree, enamel, and paste, very finely cut jet, embroidered cloth, velvet, or satin.lt is a simple way of decorating a cloth frock, added to wHich" it; generally has some meaning attached to it, which is more than can be said of many trim-

mings. The thoughts of a child are long, long -thoughts. The little girl in the railway carriage corner sat silent with a suspicion of a frown on her pretty face. They were homeward-bound from the sea-side holiday, and her mother sat opposite, wondering of what Dora w,as thinking. Was she regretting the "bygone joys of sand-castle building, or that no longer with trussed-up clothing could she pacldle at the sea s brim 1 "Well, Dora, what is it? Aare you sorry to go back?" The solemn answer came: "I shall be glad to see may dollies' again!" Out of the mouth of a babe—the maternal note. . - . As a rule, it is the plain girl who shows herself indifierent to the attentions of the opposite sex. But, singualvly enough, it is when a girl is most indifferent that she becomes most- charming. But- this calm feeliiig '.of' indifference must, not- bo confounded. with coldness, haughtiness, or pridg. ? 'lf you ; would be charming, you must take' in a quiet and dignified manner, who sacrifices her own comfort and ease rather than inconvenience anyone, who pleases-men."- She m ( iy not be a beauty or a brilliant talker, but she proves herself so charming that men. find it a delight to be with her. v , The mothers of Japan teach their children according to the book called " Teaching of Children,'' which -is regarded as the embodiment of the Golden Rule. -This book that children should .be severely punished for lying or deceit. A boy should be brave, but "tender. Should he run home chased by some superior antagonist, the door will be closed to him by the mother. "Do not fear the loss of life when it is for a righteous cause, but you should show g. tender heart, even to your enemy when he is at your mercy," is the teaching of .this book, "which ia most carefully inculcated by the mothers of Japan,

FATHER AND SON. ! The greatest error that a faher can make is to omit- to note the year that it at the top of the current almanac and to forget that his Eons grow older each year. There comes a time when they feel they have the right to smoke indoors, to take a glass of c'.aret with their meals, to go on their own account to the play. Happy the father who knows the right moment fojr acceding to these applications. For Jiim wiio jmsrisely tries to preserve the view that his'toy oi eighteen ought still to be wearipg » jailor 'hat yitj) the words

" H.M.S. Obedient," there is in store an astonishing disillusion. " Beg pardon, father," says the lad, who wishes to break the news gently, " but do you mind if I bring a friend in to supper I this evening ?" " I htink it over, my boy." "For a little music." "Does your friend sing?" "Has a.beautiful voice," says the lad enthusiastically; " like a nightingale." "Oh!" with incredulity. "What age?" " About my. own age, father." "Well, you can bring "your friend, but mind it's not to *be made a -precedent. I don't want the house ■ overrun with them. And no staying late." • "She'll go back to her mother's at ten." "She?" " It's a young lady I've been fon dof for some time, father," blurts out the lad, "and we are going to get married soon 1"

THE SECRET OF A HAPPY LIFE. On the walls of *an Old Ladies Home hangs the photograph of a womanly face of rare sweetness, strength and serenity. The key to this life is found in the following set of rules, tastefully printed and enclosed in the same frame with the photograph : You sometimes see a woman -whose old age is exquisite, as was the perfect bloom of her youth. She seems condensed sweetness and grace. You wonder has come about; you wonder how it is that her life has been a long and happy one. Here are some of the reasons:— She knew how to forget disagreeable things. She understands the art of enjoyment. , She keeps her nerves well in hand, and inflicted them on no one. She believed in. the goodness of her own daughters and in that of her neighbours. She cultivated a good digestion. She mastered the art of saying, pleasant words. She did not expect too much from her friends. She ma'de whatever work came to her congenial. She retained her illusions, and did not believe that all the world was wicked and "unkind. She relieved the miserable and sympathised with the sorrowful. She retained an even disposition and made the best of everything. She did whatever came to her cheerfully and well. She never forgot that kind words and. a smile cost nothing, but are priceless treasures to the discouraged. She did unto others. as she would be done by; and now that' old age has come to her and'there is a halo of white hair about her head, she is loved and considered. This is the secret of a long life and a happy one.

THE BLOUSE. The old idea, that a blouse was a loose, handy sort of garment, that could be bought ready-made at a moment's notice, because it was not necessary that it shouV fit anywhere particularly well, has novr been abandoned. In these days we know that the simplest tailor shirts must be we'l cut and finished, particularly about the neck and shoulders. The shirt and blouse are two distinct items. One must be neat and plain, whilst the other may depend upon the taste and fancy of the wearer. But neatness is the watchword of the day, and one cannot be too particular at the neck, for it is the collar which so often makes or mars the appearance; and as r.o two necks are exactly alike, no hard-and-fast rule can be laid down, for what ?uits one is often most unbecoming to another. For those who can wear the high linen co'lar nothing can be smarter or nicer, but only very few find them comfortable. A good substitute is the collar band, so cut that it keeps high up (the amateur shirt-maker usually finishes with a straightneck band, which is always a mistake; it should be shaped like a dress collar), and a little embroidered' stock, with a tie to match the skirt or belt, always looks nice and is cool. - The sleeves of a shirt blouse must be" rather-full" on the shoulders, but there should be very little' at tha' wrist where the cuff fits. The " Gibson" style, with its broad tucks going over the shoulders,' is still popular, and is.. smart; but the tiny pin tucks at spaced intervals are newer for muslins. For stout figures the arrangement of tucks' or pleats on the cross is very becoming. For the most'part blouses fasten up the front, and the narrow knife kilted frills, which edge a strip of Madeira insertion, are a frequent and pretty change from the ordinary box pleat.

THE ID EAT/ WIFE. Many a poor bachelor would be only too glad to take unto himself a wife if the right sort of woman came along. Nearly every man has his ideal :as to what sort of a woman a wife should be, and he can't be blamed for waiting until he finds a girl who at least approaches that ideal. Of course, even when he does find her it's a. toss up whether 'she will have him or not. The following original description of. the perfect wife is taken from a book by thq late Max O'Rell, the French humorist, just published 'in Paris :—" Marry a woman," he writes, " smaller than yourself. Do not marry a woman whose laugh is forced and does not spring" from the heart; but marry a woman who enjoys a joke and looks at the bright side of everything. Marry a girl who is a bit- of a philosopher. If you take a girl to to the 1 theatre, and on hearing there are no seats in the stalls or circle, she gaily exclaims: 'Never.mind, let us go in tie gallery!'. marry her. It will bo easy to live happily witli a girl willing to sit even bn r the-back benches with her husband. Do not marry a woman who has the fast ways of what is called ' smart society.' - If you go to pay a visit and must wait -half-an-hour while she finishes her toilet, do hot marry her. But if she comes "to you imioediately, her hair put up in a Hurry, but neatly and simply dressed, she is a girLof commonsense. Marry her, especially if she is not too prolix in her excuses, for appearing in neglige. Marry a lot for her-fhthrer, -who.: takes, an-interest in seeing that-bis-study is in order, who likes to'sit' on his'knee", ! and him. by all sorts of lpving and infantile names. The girl who shows' so mu'cii affection<for her father, who won't" ;-. let him .go -out without seeing . that his clothes are immaculate, who, when at length satisfied with papa's appearance, kisses, him I before he goes off—that girl will make a model "wife.".

A SALTATION ARMY WEDDING.

The Salvation Army Barracks were crowded on the afternoon of the 21st inst-., when Bandmaster William Hawkey was united in matrimony to Miss Alice Cowles. The bridegrpomwas Supported by his bro- . ther, Mr. C," Hawkey; and - the bridp was : attended by Miss M. Hawkey and Miss E. Cowles. ' The band turned out in full force and played several selections previous to-the ceremony. Punctually at 2 o'clock Major Cumming and the bridal party arrived, amidst tremendous applause. After an opening hymn-and-prayer, the Major read a few appropriate verses of Scripture. , The Major then expressedhis great pleasure ' at having the privilege of conducting the wedding ceremony of one of the most- consistent bandmasters he has ever met during his twenty ; three years as an Army officer, and his godly life had gained for him a reputation not only in New Zealand, but even as far. as.-Australia." The attendance" of such a crowd on a day such- a day, spoke volumes of praise for the comrades as true .Christians. The bride and bridegroom-then stepped " forwardi applause, and the articles of marriage were read by the Major. . The. ceremony over, several telegrams were, read frpm. different parts of New Zealand, congratulating the happy couple and wishing them long fife and happiness. Adjutant Heldrith, after endorsing the Major's remarks In' reference to their esteemed comrades, asked • the bandmaster's acceptance on behalf of the-band, of a. beautiful set of carvers, and to Mrs. Hawkey, who has done excellent service as a soldier, was presented a silver butter cooler and knife, on behalf of the choir. ..A large crowd then adjourned to the wedding breakfast at Mr T. Hay-key's residence, King street, where a bountiful supply of good things was done full justice to. The happy couple left for the express amid the strains of " Shining Stajs," frpm.the band, to spend their honeymoon at Invercargill. A large prowd gathered in the evening when songs, games, etc., provided a splendid evening for all. A most pleasant tifli® terminated wjth the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and cbejrs for the happy, couple. The presents which were far too numerous to particularise, were both costly and useful. SEA-SIDE ENGAGEMENTS. "Do girls come here to finS husbands " The proprietress of ..a big, popular East Coast- boardirig-house' smiled suggestively at the question put to .her by a writer in " C'assell'B Saturday Journal." "Yea, J am afrnicl that a great many 4°.

A seaside boarding-house offers »o many opportunities. It is an open field, and,"l. suppose, a perfectly fair one. Why shouldn't they? Yet I now and then Bigh for my sex when I observe the way in which some young lady, visitors ' throw themselves' at eligible men. One would suggest a walk; another, with a daring frankness—entire!v assumed —will ask to be taken to the the l atre; another will rise early to attend to the breakfast of a male "guest- who is up to catch an excursion train. Truly, some modern young ladies allow themselves an astonishing amount of freedom at a seaside pension. This speculating for a husband has its dangers. There are unscrupulous men who turn it to: account. - So many such infer that they posts, or are possesed of independent means. When, later on, the foolish- young woman who has given her confidence in many things to a man endowed with the bearing of a count finds that he .is a * counterjumper,'; she may discover that he is not. to be lightly shaken off. The saddest case that came under my notice was that of a young and pretty girl, who was making a lengthy stay on account of- her health. Amongst the holiday guests was a man of prepossessing appearance, with whom this girl, probably to kill time, struck up a flirtation. The affair ripened into an engagement. Suddenly he received a telegram ; he had been called to a post of importance in South Africa. He suggested a license—a hasty marriage. To this the infatuated girl consented. Then the South African appointement fe'l through; it never existed. The fashionably-dressed man was a Government clerk, in receipt of £l5O a year. His wife was possessed of five times that sum, and more to follow.' Eventually her family got rid of the schemer by paying him the sum of £3,000 to take himself abroad.' I am not sure whether the young or middle-aged—if not elderly—ladies are most given to this foolish quest, of a husband, in boarding-houses. Certainly the elder ones know how to play the game. A good number of e'derly, well-to-do ladies winter at seaside boarding establishments. This affords a fine opportunity to a bachelor in search of a comfortable income. One such marriage took place from my house. A lady of sixty made open love to a chance gentleman boarder of about thirty-five. He was willing, but he insisted that every: penny of her substantial income should be made over to himself. Lawyers objected, but love had its way. He entered my. house a comparatively. poor man; he has now settled, with his somewhat-faded iwife, , as a ' wealthy permanent resident of ' the' town." " - i