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Early Media Impressions of TGs

Footprints from the Past

Part VI

By Andee W



Subscribers can review parts one, two, three, four, and five of the Footprints series.

Caught. How many of us have planned for some special private time and been interrupted by a sibling, parent, friend, or neighbor? Many times we are more lucky than smart, and we quickly dodge the obstacles and hide the evidence; sometimes we are caught red handed (and red faced) and come up with a stupid or lame rationalization for why we are suddenly dressed in the clothes appropriate for the opposite sex. Mostly, if we're discovered, we don't 'fess up to the real reason why we are as we appear.

As a grade school child my girl friends included me in elaborate role playing games - sometimes I was the doctor (NO!-not like that!), sometimes the Daddy, sometimes one of the sisters or girlfriends, and that was my favorite part. One of the first times I remember when I was about 7 or 8 we were playing a game of 'dress up for the party' and my playmate gave me a short crinoline party dress, lace anklet socks, and black patent leather shoes to change into. No big deal, as I had been a princess for Halloween that year. We continued our play, imagining we were drinking punch and waiting to dance, and I was in heaven until the girl's mommy walked in on us. I'll never forget the look on her face - shock, disbelief, then a small smile and the comment "I wonder what your Mommy will say when I tell her she has a new daughter." Almost in a matter-of-fact way she added "just clean up the toys when you're finished playing, and make sure you hang up that dress." As far as I knew at the time nothing was said to my Mom, and we played dress-up at my friend's house many other times. I found out, much later, that both the Moms had talked about what happened, but amazingly for the era, didn't have a problem with it. "He'll outgrow it, and move on to other things." So, as I grew up on the surface I did move on, until the discovery and enjoyment of a most pleasant feminine side of my personality.

I'm sure many of us feel that some events influenced us and why we have turned out the way we are. So it seems with this month's installment from just after the great war. The men have returned to England, the meadows around Cambridge are about to bloom, and prosperity is on the horizon as we are at the end of the second decade of the Twentieth century. This letter was originally published in Bits of Fun in the spring of 1919.

"Since my guardian's death I have lived as a paying guest with various friends and acquaintances. It was just previous to the war that I was spending a long holiday, as a boarder, with some friends of my late guardian at a country house near Cambridge, and one day I dressed in the housemaid's clothes, complete black frock, cap, apron, etc. She was naturally surprised and indignant, and after a struggle I got her to promise secrecy, although I had to pay a stiff price for what I was wearing (she refused to have them back) and had to buy her a present as well.

Even this did not cure me, for a week or so after, the landlady and her elder daughter being out for the day and the younger at school, I took the liberty of going through their wardrobe, and dressing myself in the daintiest lingerie I could find, including a beautiful pair of corsets. After trying on various dresses, I put on the daughter's best frock, and after a struggle, hooked it up at the back. It was dark velvet, and fitted me well, except that it was inches above my knees. I also found a nice white pinafore, and had just put this on when in walked my hostess with her daughter.

They both stared at me dumbfounded, and their eyes wandered around their bedroom taking in the open drawers and attire littered about everywhere. 'What on earth are you doing?' 'What is the meaning of all this?' 'What an unwarranted liberty?' and so on. The daughter after a time began shrieking with laughter, until her mother ordered her downstairs. I then explained the reason for my conduct and begged her forgiveness, at the same time asking her to cure me of my weakness. I felt too ashamed to look at her, and I was left uncertain as to my fate, except that I was startled to hear the key turn in the door as she went out.

An hour elapsed, when the key was turned, and the mistress came in with the eldest daughter. Before I knew what had happened my hands were severely tied behind, and a small fancy apron tied over my head. I was then led downstairs, and stood on a chair in the drawing room. The servants were called in (the housemaid told of my previous escapade after hearing of my doings that day), and then I heard my fate, viz., one month as a maid and one month in the clothes I was wearing. The alternative was that my friends (male and female) would be wired for, and would see me as I was. I accepted the former needless to say, with the stipulation that no one outside those present would see me under this punishment.

I am afraid this letter is too long now, or I would give you many details of my ordeal. I actually spent nearly two months as a servant; the slightest complaint from the cook was an extra day, and probably an additional humiliation in the evening, such as brushing the daughter's hair for an hour, or an hours drill on my knees manicuring their hands, etc.

The daughter especially enjoyed my humiliation. My blushes were not spared, and even my hair, which was long, was curled and false hair added. With all this, except for the humiliation, I was sorry when I ever again donned male attire, and to this day I occasionally dress up in the clothes they insisted on my taking with me on leaving."

I hope you have enjoyed this month's installment. Next month we journey into the flapper era.


Andee is married with two children and lives outside Washington DC.
You can send her email at AndeeW@aol.com.
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