Ashtabula High School - Dart Yearbook (Ashtabula, OH)

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The Dart realized what havoc this simple action would play with the primitive tastes of the people. When the inhabitants saw her approaching from afar off, they thought she was a strange animal. When she came nearer, the men in the assembly thought that such a queer looking creature should not be allowed to roam around, but the women were wild with delight when they saw that the inverted baskets made such delightful headgear. They rushed for their own baskets, some of them narrow and deep, others broad and shallow, trying them on and noting the effects in a nearby stream. They were as happy as children with a new toy. The hats were tried at every angle. They were trimmed with flowers and wreaths. The woman who had first done this wonderful thing was made to come into their homes and was treaded as a royal guest. The other women were so proud of their new adornment that they wore these hats for years with only slight changes. But after a while some of them grew jealous of the one who had made the basket hat so popular, and they tried to think of a substitute which wculd make the rush hat lookout of place. At last they were rewarded with an inspiration. Waiting until the cooler weather set in, they caught many of the small, fur-bearing animals which abounded in the country. Their soft fur was draped over the summer hats, giving them a more seasonable appearance. All the women were delighted with the new fashion, and flocked to the fur-workers to have their hats draped. And so the first millinery store was started. This fashion ran its course, and then the more aristocratic women began to tire of the fur-trimmed hats, for the men were beginning to wear head coverings that looked suspiciously like them. These women besieged the milliners to give them something new, a hat which was not “ common.” The milliners puzzled over the question for a long time, and finally, in despair, took an empty flower-pot, wreathed it with flowers and tacked a feather to the side. When the society leaders of that time saw tilt- new creation, they could hardly wait for more to be made. Soon, every flower-pot in the land was gone and factories were turning out hundreds a day, and all for hats. Millinery stores sprang up on every side and did a thriving business. When at last everyone was tired of the flower-pot hat, rewards were offered for new ideas and someone brought a huge mushroom. 10

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(Utr Evolution of thr ®at FLORENCE PERRY Ml. HIS history, which is written in order that we may realize how very important hats are to civili- zation, opens in the year 755 B. C. in England. It was a time when men and women knew no other homes than caves, and had none of the conveniences which we now think are neces- sities. Even baskets were unknown, and a hat could not have been found from one end of the land to the other. But these people, having never heard of such things, could not miss them, and so they lived hap- pily, until an event took place which revolutionized the world, and has caused more happiness, and at the same time more discontent, than any other one thing in the world. As Virgil says, “ A woman was the leader.” Many of us wonder, perhaps, as we look at the queer hats which are now worn, how they came into being and whence they came. Dili- gent search has revealed some of these facts. One day, in this ancient time, a woman was going on a long journey. She wished to take many things with her which she could not carry far alone. Starting out, she tried to carry them in her hands, but the way was rough and many of the precious packages were spilled. Discouraged, she sat down by the wayside to plan a better method. As she was rest- ing, she idly plucked some rushes and began braiding them together. Almost before she knew it, she had evolved a rounding shallow affair in which she placed her unwieldy bundles and went on her way joyfully. As she walked along, people stared at the strange basket and plied her with questions. She told the story to all who inquired, and soon every one in the land knew how to make baskets from rushes. The people talked of them for years, for they were the only new things which had been introduced for a long time. But perhaps the connection be- tween baskets and hats is not evident. A long time after the baskets were first made, a woman was re- turning from a journey. Her basket was empty and was swinging, useless at her side. It was mid-summer and the sun was scorching. Even her thick locks (and they were all her own) did not entirely pro- tect her from the hot rays. The basket had become burdensome and so she placed it on her head, thus making a good sunshade. She little 9

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T he Dart This was seized with delight and the fields were searched for more, but the fashion was very exclusive, as large mushrooms were scarce and did not last long when found. The peach-basket hat was tried later and proved to be so popular that it was worn off and on for several years. Bright tin dish-pans, worn at a veritable angle were considered quite the thing at this time. Later still some genius discovered that braided straw made excellent hats, and it became so popular that it will probably always be worn. Even men had straw hats, altho they were not nearly so original in shape as were those of the women. All of the former shapes, flower-pots, mushrooms, peach-baskets, dish-pans, and many others were reproduced in straw and in a new fabric called felt. As time went on the most wonderful and expensive fabrics were used for hats and they became things of beauty. Royalty was the first to take up new styles, and Marie Antoinette wore a hat styled a “ What is it ? ” towering many feet in height and flaunting parti-colored plumes. Many of the wonderful creations which may be seen in this year, 1911, could trace their ancestry directly back to the crude beginnings of 700 B. C. But if these could speak, it is doubtful if they would be wil- ling to recognize their humble ancestors on the street. The officers of the Hall of Fame have considered the question of placing on one of those bronze tablets the name of the woman who in- vented the hat; but all search has failed to reveal her true name, and so she will be denied that tribute to her genius. The Victory of Samothrace signifies that if this should light on the bow of any vessel, it would be victorious. Lose No Time giving us an opportunity to prove our ability to please you when it comes to tailoring work. We guarantee the best material, best workmanship and latest style. It costs no more to have your shirts and clothes made to or- der, but there is a lot more satisfac- tion when you do. Prosser Bros. 11