Wanamaker’s ‘So-Called’ Gowns Were Ugly
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Hill Country Living
By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week and I pulled out the top letter first. It’s from Jessie to her brother, George, about some clothes she ordered for him and their little brother, Eugene. She also talks about a dog fight. I think “Smith” is a bizarre name choice for a girl dog. Or even a boy dog, for that matter. But I guess it doesn’t matter either way, because this dog seems to be gender fluid.
The very next letter I pulled out was the earlier one from Eugene addressing the ordering of the clothes!
Dear old George,
How are you and the box and the “gowns?” Gene says he is distressed over this. Please do not wear yours if they are not so desirable, but send them back and tell Mr. Wanamaker what you want. I’m sorry they were not right because I know you have been needing them.
Papa is going to Memphis tonight and Louella is going to stay with Dudley and me.
I am sorry about your grades but hope they will turn out better than you expected. Don’t be discouraged. I am telling on you.
We have planted peas and onions and sweet peas already. Hope they will do well.
Aunt Dupuy sends her love. She has a pretty bad cough but is better than she has been.
The baby is growing, though I have not seen him very much lately. Aunt Dupuy thinks he the very splendid image of John.
Smith got into a dreadful fight yesterday down in front of the Presbyterian Church with Mr. R’s dog – and got a piece torn out just over his eye. I’ll simply have to leave him at the house when I go there after this because that’s twice he’s fought at that same place. What kind of a protector do you think she will make?
They have a load of mules up at the store and I am getting to be well up on their good points.
Bessie Harris ran off and married the Anderson who clears at McLarty’s night before last. He is a right nice fellow they say.
Good bye. Write soon. All send love.
Jess
Dear Jess,
The joke is either on me or on you. The so-called gowns came from Wanamaker’s today. Say, did you tell them that I was a man or a woman or a little baby?
Anyway, when I opened them guess what I found something like this [see drawing, left]. With big sleeves, scalloped edges at the wrist and a yoke (I think that is what you call it) across the front. Is that what you ordered? And shall I get into that sort of a thing? I hope not. I would like to see George in his.
Possibly you ordered night gowns instead of night shirts?
Please inform me about these at once.
I have just returned from a hard examination in geology.
I received Papa’s letter with money this P.M.
I will answer his letter soon. Write soon to yours with kisses,
E. Wagner
Male age 21 years!!
