The Irish Giantess.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 427, 11 December 1889, Page 3

The Irish Giantess.

' Alt, the curiosities,' says a correspondent', 'are nob in Barnum's possession, if I may judge by a young lady of twenty-six years of age whom I had the pleasure of encountering quite recently. Miss Kate Neilson, who has been exhibiting- herself to theastonished gaze of the provinces, rejoices in thirty-seven stone weight of flesh, and . glories in the sobriquet of the "Irish Giantess. " Kate was born in county' Mayo, her parents being small farmers ; and it ever there was a lady calculated to exercise the functions of Home Rule, in the domestic , sense, Kate is that lady. • At the age of fourteen Katie kicked the beam at eighteen stone, but being in a , small country place she escaped the stare of curious eyes. Next year, however, along with her parents, she took boat at Queenstown and sailed away to the land of monstrosities and inventions at the other side of the Atlantic. The young lady had no' idea of exhibiting herself. But she had no sooner landed at New York than the Argus eyes of an agent for a " monster circus " spotted her, and she was implored with many . tempting baits to join the agent's troupe. To his blandishments and entreaties Miss Kate Neilson fell a victim. !She. was soon rigged out in a gorgeous costume,' and placed on view among the other attractions of the monster circus. Of her new life she says : "On aocount of my youth I was often in receipt of presents from the numerous visitors, and although at first I felt strange at the business, I confess that I soon began to like ib, and I do not think that I could feel comfbrtable in a settled.- capacity." .After three years, however, she* wanted to have a look at her own green island once more, and on stepping ashore at Queenstowu found another enterprising "agent ready to receive her with open arms, if such a phrase can bo us*ed to a lady whose waist measures sixty-nine inches and the muscle of her arm thir by-six.'

Accordion waisfcs are a popular coming summer fad. Worn wibh fluted ruffles probably. There will be music when papa blows about the bills.