The Stars and Stripes Part 17

Overcoats are being worn much shorter this season, by request.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The campaign hat, while still _de rigueur_ for the less formal functions of army society, such as reveille and mess, is rapidly going out of date. It is said on excellent authority that it will soon be supplanted by a _chapeau_ closely resembling the c.o.c.ked hat worn by certain goodly gentlemen of Boston and vicinity during skirmish drill at Lexington and Concord, Ma.s.s. The portrait shown herewith depicts one of the makes.h.i.+fts now much in vogue.

Rubber boots are much the rage at this season of the year. While not exactly suited to town wear, and while the more conservative dressers still refuse to be seen in them at afternoon-tea, they are speedily adjusted and thus enjoy great popularity among those who are in the habit of "just making" reveille.

Slickers are, at present writing, in great demand among the members of the younger army set. Those who were farsighted enough to procure the heavy black variety when it was issued last fall are counting themselves more fortunate than their friends who chose the lighter, but colder, blue or drab garment.

The tin brown derby is, after all, the most serviceable headgear for all-around wear in the war zone. It should be worn on all formal occasions, particularly when nearing the Boches' reception line. When in doubt as to the propriety of wearing it, it is always well to remember that it is better to err on the side of safety.

[Ill.u.s.tration: I SEE IT]

The face m.u.f.fler--either English or French design--is another _sine qua non_ for all formal occasions, particularly at _soirees_ and _dansants_ near the first line. In fact, some of the more careless dressers who have neglected to provide themselves with it have suffered severely, and been roundly snubbed. While it is at best an ugly piece of facegear and extremely difficult for the uninitiated to adjust correctly, its intricacies should be mastered at the earliest opportunity by those having business "up front."

The knit sock, home made preferred, is indispensable for wear inside the regulation field shoe during all formal and informal promenades. It is a sign of _gaucherie_, however, to allow the top of either sock to protrude above the puttee or legging. Care should be taken that the socks fit the feet as snugly as possible, else ugly bunches will form at the heels and toes, thus robbing the gentle art of walking of all the pleasure which Henry Ford put into it.

The web belt, worn on most formal occasions, should always be well filled when the wearer contemplates a business trip. Cautious dressers do well to adjust the belt so that the pistol holster hangs within easy reach of the right hand.

Spiral puttees have advanced so far in popular favour that they are now being issued for general wear by such a conservative (but ever reliable) gent's furnis.h.i.+ng house as the U.S.Q.M.C.D. They are considered warmer than the old-style canvas leggings, although, as they take longer to put on, they are rather frowned upon by the more hasty dressers. They should be tightly wrapped if the wearer possesses a shapely lower limb; but tight wrapping is apt to result in tired feet at the end of a promenade of any duration.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE INFANTRY THE INFANTRY WITH THE DIRT BEHIND THEIR EARS]

The regulation field shoe has been designated the correct footwear for business and informal occasions. Care should be taken to secure sizes which will admit of the entrance of the wearer's feet (one in each shoe) when encased in at least two pairs of socks. Although numerous complaints have been lodged against the hobnails which infest the soles of these shoes, it may be said in extenuation that they are indispensable for marching along slippery roads, and also extremely useful when the wearer is engaged in kicking Germans in the face.

The Sam Browne belt is worn exclusively by officers serving with the American Expeditionary Forces--that is, in the American Army. It is a natty leather ornament, and much sought after. It is, in fact, the last word--_dernier cri_--in gentlemanly attire.

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MY FIRST NIGHT IN THE ARMY.

I'm there with two thin blankets, As thin as a slice of ham, A German spy was likely the guy Who made them for Uncle Sam.

How did I sleep? Don't kid me-- My bed-tick's filled with straw, And lumps and humps and big fat b.u.mps That pinched till I was raw.

Me and my two thin blankets As thin as my last thin dime, As thin, I guess, as a chorus girl's dress, Well, I had a dandy time.

I'd pull 'em up from the bottom, Whenever I started to sneeze, A couple of yanks to cover my shanks, And then how my "dogs" did freeze.

You could use 'em for porous plasters, Or maybe to strain the soup,-- My pillows my shoes when I tried to snooze-- And I've chilblains, a cough and croup.

Me and my two thin blankets, Bundled up under my chin; Yes, a German spy was likely the guy, And--MY--but they were thin.

AMERICAN EYE CLa.s.sES

ED. B. Meyrowitz

OPTICIAN

LONDON PARIS 1A, Old Bond St. 3, Rue Scribe.

HEARD IN THE CAFE.

"So you were down at El Paso the same time we were? b.u.m town, wasn't it?"

"Let's see,--I knew a lad out in Kansas City and his name was--"

"No, I haven't been up in Alaska since 1908, but there's a guy in our comp'ny who--"

"By the way, where did you say you came from in New Hamps.h.i.+re?"

"Sure enough. We hung around there at Tampa until--"

"Yes, I got a paper from my home town in Nevada that said--"