Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-07-24
GOING A SHOPPING.

1
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GOING A SHOPPING.
Did you ever go shopping? suppose
not. Gentlemen have no genius for shop
ping They are not equal to it. Nature
has lie t their faculties imperfect in that par
ticular. They can write books and make
speeches, and all that sort of thing, but they
are not up to shopping. 1t takes the ladies
for that Men go to a store and select what
they want and buy it. But that is not shop
ping-that requires no genius.
Men pretend they don't like to go shop
ping with the ladies. | wonder who ever
asked them? What lady would have such
am encumbrance on such occasions? Men
are we'll enough in their places. Young
gentlemen are convenient to take US to con-
certs, and see us home from church, and
bring us bouquets and music; and husbands
are useful, suppose, to pay bills, &c, but
for shopping excursions they are quite out
of place.
Do not understand me to insinuate that |
have any distinguished ability that way
Not at ALL only speak for my sex. In
fact, acknowledge that | am regarded by
my lady acquaintances as a poor hand at it.
But my friend Sallie q. is model shopper
. am taking lessons of her, and hope to be
perfected by the time | am married. A few
days since she invited me with her.
"I wish to look at the new style silks, I"
said she.
"Why, do you want dressE said |.
"Really," said Sallic, "if it was not i'm
polite, should say you were verdant |
don't want a dress-but there's no reason |
shouldn't see the materials"
So Salie and sailed out. The first store
we entered, she asked whether the mer-
chant had received his spring goods. He
said he had, and inquired what she would
like to see. "Show meyour new style dress
goods" said she; ''such as barege robes and
lawn robes, handsome striped and plaid silks;
brocades and changeable silks are not much
worn this spring, but I'll look at your solid
celors."
The merchant soon had his counter spread
with goods. She examined and tossed the
pieces about, making various ugly creases in
them to see whether they would come out
again by rubbing.
"What style is worn p said Sallie.
"Well, we sell more plaids and stripes
than any other"
"Have you any with the chene stripe!"
"Oh, yes, some very fine" and variety
of pieces were produced.
"Well I can't say, after all, that I like the
chene stripe; it looks like the old style re-
vived. 1 prefer the plaids; the green is ve-
ry pretty"
So Sallie held it in various lights, rubbing
and creasing it. "Well it don't crease
much," said she; ~ wonder whether it will
.cut?"
.. ss;No, it is boiled silk, and we find the
plaids and stripes usually wear we'll"
"Your silks are quite pretty, and you may
cut me off samples continued Sallie.
This the merchant was forced to do, though
with rather a bad grace, as most of his
goods were in patterns, and he feared spoil
ing the piece.
"Will you be kind enough to give me
the samples of the solid colors? ?"
These were also furnished.
sThis plaid, you say, is one dollar thirty
seven cents. Is that the lowest?"
"Yes-we can't take less"
'sHoW many yards in the pattern?'
"Fourteen."
"I'd rather have eighteen perhaps
might conclude to have founces. Well, II
take the samples and show my mother, anc
then make up my mind. Have you any
Coates cotton? Give me a spool, No. S3. >
This was handed her; she paid five cents
and we left l looked at my watch W.
had been there exactly full hour.
"What cheat l can buy those spool:
for four cents" said Sallie, when we were
fairly out, "and besides, we forgot thei
shawls"
So we went to another store
"Have you any Stella Shawls ?"
'Yes, some beautiful ones just opened
Would you see the broche borders, or tht
printed?"
"Both."
"Any particular colors:?'
"No-Tll look at all of them," said Sal
lie.
Different colors, qualities and patterns
were accordingly produced.
"What is the price of this green centr
broche border ?" inquired Sallie.
We can afford you that at nine dollars
same style sold for fifteen two months age
Some printed borders we can p,it at fou
dollars and fifty cents.
"No; 1 prefer broche; but can'tyou tax
less?"
I saw twinkle in the merchants eye
which made me think he knew she was on
ly shopping. 49,.
"Now," said he, elf you won't mentio
it, I'll let you have it for six"
Sallie looked surprised. She knew tina
style of article was selling at nine.