Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1852-12-31

served at the other stores, and I began to
have my misgivings. Cases Of silks had
been exhibited, and no dress, as yet, had
been bought Still my eyes were on that
sagacious countenance which would have
been no disgrace to Washington politician.
The drama progressed, all the silks had
been shown, and none had suited; we had
actually started for the door, and I was re-
aecting upon the absurdity of belief in
physiognomy, when the sharp voice of that
salesman-''One moment, madam !" arrested
our progress. "We have" said he, ga
piece of silk already sold and laid by for .
customer, which I should like to show you,
madam, merely for curiosity's sake. It is
of rare texture, and the most recherche pat
tern, and We had the pleasure yesterday Of
selling the whole piece to Mrs. Fitz Goggin,
the lady of Alderman Fitz Goggin Of Goggin
place, who had it laid BY for her as soon as
she had set her eyes upon it." At this I
could see that Mrs. Flamley's eyes fairly
gistened; the right chord had been struck,
and now I felt that the crafty eyed gentle
man was master of his art
If there is anything that will influence
and move my wife to action and decision, it
is the example Of upper tendom.' and
when the name Of that distinguished leader
Of the fashion, Mr.. Fitz Goggin was men
toned, Mrs. Flamley betrayed all the tremu-
lous anxiety to behold the silk of that lady's
choice, that young Miss would evince
in preparing to honor her first invitation to
grand soiree. As soon as it touched the
counter and was laid open, what love of
silk burst from my wife's lips. Now, my
dear, you can see that am not so difficult
to please after all; this is just what have
been searching for all day The salesman
perceiving his advantage. was resolved not
to lose it: Yes, madam he observed,
after Mrs. Ftz Goggin laid it aside, the
lady Of General Bayonst, who saw it In an
hour afterwards, offered an advance Of fifty
cents yard on the whole piecs-but We
could not sell it twice you know Oh! Of
course not. my wife replied, putting on one
of her most winning and insidious smiles,
but as want merely one dress, I am sure
you will oblige me by cutting it, Mrs Fitz
Goggin will then have alarge quantity, and
hardly miss it, you know
At this the clerk affected to look puzzled
and wavering, and, shaking his head in
dubious manner, remarked, tBut dear mad
am! what would Mrs Fitz Goggin say if
she should find it cut, I'm afraid that We
should entirely lose her custom
"She never will find it out, my dear sir"
replied Mrs. Flamley, who could now af-
ford to be polite to a counter jumper; she
never will find it out, and besides am ex-
pecting to purchase large lot Of dresses
for myself and friends this season, and fa-
vor, you are aware, brings custom
eyes, madam, l know it does, and no.
thing would give me greater pleasure than
to spare you dress of this superb silk,
but am afraid the thing is impossible
However, will speak to Mr.. B." men,
tioning the preprietor's name At this he
made up to one Of the senior clerks, as
took him to be, and got up very serious
discussion, all for effect; the result of
which was, that as an unprecedented favor,
Mrs. Flamley was allowed to buy, at an ex-
ira price, dress from a very inferior piece
Of silk, which according to the dilaect Of the
shops, had been laid aside for the celebrated
Mrs. Ftz Goggin.
use the term dialect of the shops for
my wife had ample evidence afterwards
that the 'Fitz Goggin' narrative was poe
teal fiction from beginning to end.
Whether she learned wisdom or not, I
cannot tell, for have never, as said be-
fore, shoppsd with her since, but I learned
two things:
First. That many ladies are more fasti-
dious in selecting dress pattern than they
would be in choosing husband, and that
Etz Goggin maneuvre or something like it