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Kansas University Weekly.
days!) and boldly sally forth.
In the middle of the first crossing, our first catastrophe overtakes us; we part company with our right rubber, we drop our skirts to pick it up, and having waded to the other side, we lay the umbrella, books and various other small articles in the cleanest spot we can find, and proceed to struggle with the offending article. At crossing number two, the left rubber claims its share of attention. Half way up the hill a loose board makes its presence felt, and books, umbrella, hat and girl are unceremoniously deposited for the most part within a space often or twelve feet. Damages being repaired, in a measure, another short distance is safely accomplished, when—but why recount the numerous trials of the way, when the painful experience is so well rememberde by every girl who has a conscience about "skipping class" on rainy days? Enough to say, we at length reach the Chapel, objects forlorn and miserable enough; skirts heavy with water and mud, clinging about shoes in a similar condition, gloves thickly encrusted, hat thoroughly drenched, and the cheering prospect of a heavy cold and long hours of "manual labor" with a corn cob staring us in the face.
Ten minutes later, another figure presents itself at the Chapel door. Such a trim, neat figure, that the sight of it is positively refreshing. The skirt, which escapes the ground by fully eight inches, is devoid of speck or spot; the neatly fitting leggings are clean and dry; the pile of books laid on the radiator are spotless, and the face wears an expression of unconcerned good humor, almost startling on such a morning.
As this charming contrast to our own miserable, bedraggled selves meets our gaze, we turn to our neighbor with a sigh for past folly, and wonder: 'How could we ever have been so hopelessly unprogressive as to look upon those who first ventured so to appear, with somewhat disapproving eyes, openly commenting how very sensible!' and mentally adding, 'but how very shocking!'" F. E. K.
Although the movement in favor of "rainy day costumes" is subject to many of the criticisms usually passed upon other reforms in woman's dress, it certainly deserves a fair trial, having as it does, the sanction of many progressive and broad—minded women, and the approval of a large number of the other sex.
Let us for a moment judge the question in the way that so many individuals of the latter class do judge such matters—that is, by appearances. A woman stands at one of our street crossings, holding with one hand her packages or books, and vainly endeavoring, by means of her other hand, to keep her already bedraggled skirts from becoming more so. To a beholder, she appears a personification of discomfort. Another woman passes by, clad in a neatly fitting "rainy day suit," her skirts free from mud, and herself seemingly unconcerned as to the presence of that disagreeable element. Which, think you, is the more pleasing sight?
As we see these two women, our admiration is called forth by the one who has the courage to show her approval of a costume, the adoption of which is urged alike by the demands of comfort, neatness, health and good sense. These are a man's views upon the subject. J.H.C.
It takes considerable moral courage for a girl to don her rainy day dress for the first day.
It takes considerable moral courage for a girl to don her rainy-day dress for the first time. Though she is very comfortable as to her feet, she is exceedingly uncomfortable as to her mind. Every one looks at her and she fears criticism. She feels that her movements are very awkward, and she wants to keep out of sight.
After a very short time, however, she loses these feelings, and begins to take solid comfort. She wonders how she ever got on without such a dress, and is quite sure she can never again dispense with one.
She watches her less fortunate sisters as they toil along the street, trying to lift their bedraggled skirts out of the mud. They look very weary, and she thinks how much wearier they will be after spending an hour or two at night,