Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-07-09
EVENING STAR.
GOING A SHOPPING

Lid you ever go shopping? L surpose
| not. dentlemen have no genius for sbopninc
They are not equal to it. Nature has Ieft
nelr nnelr faculties imperfect in that particular
Iney can write books and make speeches. and
all that sort Of thing, but they are not nm to
shopping 1t takes the ladies for that Men
go TO store and select what they want and
ouy II. But that is not shopping-that re-
| quires no genius
| Men pretend they don't like to 90 shopping
with the ladies. L wonder whoever asked
tnem What lady would have such an en-
cumorance on such occasions? Men are well
snougn IN tneir places Young gentlemen are
IIonseelent 10 take US to concerts, and see US
| nome from church, and bring us boauets and
| music and husbands are useful, suppose.
| 70 pay the bills, &c, but for a shopping ex.
ouTston they are quite out of place
Oo not understand me to lnslnuaue that
have any distinguished ability that way. Not
at all only speak for my sex. In fact ac-
knowledge poor hand at it But my friend
Sallie Z. is a model shopper L am taking
lessons of her, and hope to be perfected by the
time am married. A few days since she in
| vited me with her.
she.
Why, do you want a dress ?' said I.
Really" said Sallie, " if it was not iu-
polite, should say you were verdant. L
should Mt see the materials
80 Sallie and sailed out. The first store
we entered, she asked whether the merchant
had r ,elVed his spring goods. He said he
had, and inquired what she would like to see
Show me your new style dress goods said
she; such as baregG robes and lawn robes,
handsome striped and plaid silks; brocades
ana changeable silks are not much worn this
spring, but Iii look at your solid colors'
The merchant soop had his e,xaoJ
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 ?" said Sallie
Well, we sell probably moie plaids and
strlpes than any other"
"have you any with the chene stripes?"
"Oh yes, some very fine" and a variety of
pieces were produced.
Well,' can't say, after all, that L like
the chene stripe; it looks ike the old style
revived L prefer the plsids; the green is
very pretty.
So Sallie held it iu vicious lights, rub
bing and creasing it.
"Well, ii don't crease much" said she, "I
wonder whether it will cut?'
Ono, it is boiled silk, and we find the
plaids and stripe, 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 bad grace, as most of his goods |
were in patterns, and he feared spelling the |
piece.
"Will you be kind enough to give me sam
pies of the solid colors"
These were also furnished.
" This plaid, you say, is one dollar thirty.
seven cents. Is that the lowest %
Fourteen"
"Td rather have eighteen; perhaps L |
might conclude to have fiounces. Well, I'll /
take the samples and show my mother, and |
Coates cotton? Give me a spool, No. 80. ."
This was handed her; she paid five cents,
and we left. looked at my watch. We had
been there exactly full hour.
"What q cheat, L can buy these spoos for
four cents" said Sallie, when we were fairly
out, "and besides, we forgot their shawls!"
So we went to another store.
''uave you Stella shawls?"
eyes, some beautiful ones just opened
Would you see the broche borders, or the
printed"
Both
"Any particular colors?'
"No-f'n look at all of them,'' said Sallie
Different colors, qualities and patterns were
accordingly produced.
"What is the price Of this green centre
brocho border?" inquired Sallie.
ave can afford you that at nine dollars -
same style sold for fifteen two months ago -
Some printed borders We can put at four dol
lars and fifty cents"
"No; prefer brOche, but can't you take
less?"
l saw a twinkle in the merchants eye, !
which made me think he knew she was only 4
shopping.
'FNow," said he, IF you won't mention it, |
I'll let you have it for SiT."
Sallie looked surprised. She knew that |
style Of article was selling at nine.
"Six doilars-is that your lowest ?"
"Well-to oblige you, FL say four"
A pause "Then you think that four dol
lars is your very lowest? 20
"Ahem, We have a large lot, and L want !
to dispose Of them. I'll say two dollars and
fftv cents ~
Still longer pause. "Are you sure it is
first rate piece of goods ?''
"I'll warrant it all silk and wool F"
My friend was caught Turning to me she /
whispered
"f do wish had brought some money!
and then, addressing the merchant, she said
"I'll call again"
81 never was so glad to get out of a store |
before, for the clerks had gathered around |
us seeming to understand the joke. But |
Sallie went home, got the money, and insisted /
OIL uIy returning with her " the stUre TOT Vne /
shawl The trader said he was sorry, very
but the shawl had just been sold. And so
was Sallie too, L thought We went shop
ming no more that afternoon.