While
researching something else entirely, I stumbled across this little gem in
Walnut Valley Times (newspaper) of El Dorado, Kansas of May 21, 1880. The
original short story, titled "Love in Pa's Hat" reads like so many
other Victorian-era fictional tales rich in mores of the era. It's a charming short
story, encouraging obedience by young ladies to their fathers (who always know
best), while reaffirming the rightness of true love. Good girls, naturally, who
carry on a proper courtship will be awarded with the desire of their hearts.
(Read: Virtue and Patience, two of Victorian America's most highly prized
female attributes.)
The author of the tale remains unnamed; rarely, if ever, were newspaper
columns attributed to a specific writer. More often, when syndicated, the
column would disclose the original source. (Such as this story, having been obtained "From the Hair-Dresser's Chronicle.") As you
read this cute short, you'll see why such a tale was sold to that magazine pre-May,
1880--The hairdresser is cast in the
role of Cupid.
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| "Love in Pa's Hat" Part 1, Walnut Valley Times of El Dorado, KS, May 21, 1880 |
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| "Love in Pa's Hat" Part 2, Walnut Valley Times of El Dorado, KS, May 21, 1880 |
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| "Love in Pa's Hat" Part 3, Walnut Valley Times of El Dorado, KS, May 21, 1880 |
What
kind of hat? Top hat? Bowler?
More
bowlers won the west than Stetsons, but wealthy businessmen like
"Pa"? Probably a tophat.
According
to Victoriana.com, businessmen from 1850 to 1900 wore top hats.
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| Courtesy of Victoriana.com (speaking of men's clothing and tophats) |
Did men really have a barber (or hair-dresser for men) look after their beard and wig twice per week (as Pa did in this tale)? Oh, yes.
The
amateur historian will find rich elements of daily life (at least for the
middle- to upper-class American) peppered through the story: brushing of men's
hats, ironing of the hats by a professional to restore its shape (I suppose) or
perhaps its finish. Use of the term "swain" prompts a quick
dictionary check, as the term is outdated. Swain simply means a young suitor or
lover (which we know is a G-rated term in the Victorian era).
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| Definition of 'swain', courtesy of Google. |
Did
you learn something new? Or have thoughts to share about the elements of
Victorian-American life gleaned from this short story? Please scroll down and
comment.
Do
you know someone who would enjoy this article? Please share!
Copyright © 2017 Kristin Holt LC
I enjoyed this post so much, Kristin! The old story was so cute. I love hats! I would love to have them come back in style, but they really are a nuisance at times. Guess I will just have to keep happy with my floppy sunhat for wearing to the beach :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn. I find glimmers like this to be such fun springboards for my own fiction writing.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, sharing your love for hats as well as your own brand of sunshine. You always make me smile!
Kristin
These are the tidbits that make the rest of the research so much fun. I'm glad you found it and shared it. Doris
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Doris. We two definitely share a love for research and history and all things American West. =)
DeleteKristin
Fascinating reads of the old times, Kristin. I am always interested in how things were back then. Thank you for enlightening me. Good research means great books! And i love you sharing things like this.
ReplyDelete