store where I was not known and bought two pairs of short bloomers and a pair of silk stockings all for my non-existent sister. At least, I figured, I was avoiding suspicion by saying the things were for my sister. A t the five and ten, I bought a pair of roll garters, and took my treasures home. From then on, I wore them whenever possible. Often I had bloomers under my male clothing, and when I could be home alone, I paraded around in bloomers and stockings. Soon, I began wear- ing Mother's slips, dresses and shoes when I was alone, but like all TV's, ever on the alert for someone coming home. It's always nerve-wracking. In the years that followed, and up until shortly after I passed my 18th birthday, I wore feminine clothes whenever I could, though never when I had a date with a girl. That was always one time I stayed strictly in male clothes.

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Mother caught me wearing a pair of her stockings one day, and when she asked me why I had them on, I gave her some story about just wanting to see how they felt. She didn't make me take them off, but as soon as I could, I ducked into my bedroom and removed them. That brought on the fear that she would find out I was wearing her other clothes, so I planned on buying my own, but had neither the money nor the nerve to walk in and buy dresses. But, I got my wish, for an unexpec- ted event brought me a complete outfit of femme cloth- es with some to spare.

The only dress I remember was

The ladies of our church were planning a rummage sale, and my Mother was assisting. They were solicit- ing everyone to send their unwanted articles, and I was one of the young men who got the job of collecting the various offerings of clothing and assorted white eleph- ants that people were giving. Two of the homes at which I had to call were those of well-to-do people where the ladies seldom wore any article of clothing for long. The boxes I picked up there were filled with clothing, and to shorten this story somewhat, I helped myself to several slips, assorted undies, stockings, shoes and three dresses. of black velvet. It was my favorite, and I felt luxur- ious in it. When I finally went to sea, I stowed all my clothes away, and seldom wore them again. When Mother and Dad sold the house and moved West, they

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