The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-12-28
THE ART OF SHOPPING.

no genius for shopping. They are not equal
to it. Nature has left their facilities i'm
perfect in that particular. They can write
books and make speeches, and all that sort
of thing, but they are not up to shopping.
It takes the ladies for that. Men go to a
store, select what they want, and buy it.
But that is not shopping; that requires no
genius. Men pretend they do not like to go
shopping with the ladies. I wonder who
ever asked them What lady would have
such an incumbrance on such occasions
Men are well enough in their places. Young
gentlemen are convenient to take us to con-
certs, and see us home from church, and
bring US boquets and music; and husbands
are useful to pay the bills, &C.; but for a
shopping excursion they are quite out of the
place.
Do you understand me to insinuate that
I have distinguished ability that way =? Not
at all; only speak of my sex. In fact, I
acknowledge myself poor hand at it. But
my friend, Sallie R, is model shop
per. I am now taking lessons of her, and
hope to be perfect by the time am married.
A few days since she invited me to 60 with
her.
81 wish to look at the new styles of silks"
said she.
"Why, do you want to get new dress?"
I asked.
Really" said Sallie, ''if it were not
impolite, l should say that you were a
verdant. 1 don't want dress, but that's
no reason why l should not see the mate
rial"
So Sallie and l sailed out. The first
store we entered she asked whether the
merchant had received 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 barege robes, and lawn
robes, and handsome striped plaid silks;
brocades and changeable silks are not much
worn this spring. but I'll look at your solid
colors.''
The merchant soon had his counter
spread with goods. She examined and tossed
them about, making various creases in them
to see whether they would come out again
by rubbing.
"What style is worn?" said Sallie to the
clerk.
"Well, we probably sell more plaid
stripes than any other.'
'Have you any with chene stripes?" in
quired Sallie
sob, yes! some very fine" and number
of pieces were produced.
''Well, can't say, after all, that like
the chene stripes; but the green is very
pretty"
So Sallie held it in various lights, rub
bling it and creasing it.
''Well, it don't crease much,'' said she;
Il wonder whether it will cut?''
'No, it is boiled silk; and we find that
plaid and stripes wear very WE'LL"
Your silks are very pretty, and you may
cut of a sample, if you please" 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 whole piece.
"Will you be kind enough to give me
samples of the solid colors?''
They were all furnished.
''This plaid, you say, is $1.37? Is that
the lowest 90
eyes; we can't take less.''
GLOW many yards in the pattern 90
"Fourteen.''
"I'd rather have eighteen perhaps l
might conclude to have founces. Well,
I'll take the sample and show to my moth
er, and then make up my mind. Have you
any Coates's cotton Give me a spool, No.
33.''
This was handed to her; she paid FIVE
cents, and we left. looked at my watch.
We had been there exactly one hour!
"What cheat 1 can buy the spools
for FOUR cents said Sallie, when we were
fully out; "and besides, we forgot their
shawls."
So we went into another store.
''HaVe YOU anv Stella shawls 90
Eyes, some beautiful ones, just opened.
Would you like to see the broche borders,
or printed %
Both
"Any particular colors ?''
.No. sir; I'll look at them ALL said
Sallie.
Different colors and patterns were accord
ingly produced.
What is the price of the green center
broche border 90
eve can afford you that for SO; same
style sold for SIS two months ago."
Some printed borders were put up for
$3.50.
mo, l prefer broche; but can't you take
less ?''
saw twinkle in the merchants eve,
which made me think he knew she was only
shopping.
Now" said he, eff you won't mention
it, III let you have it for So
Sallie looked surprised. She knew the
article was selling at 50.
''Six dollars is your lowest ?''
Well. to oblige you I will say SAP said
the merchant.
| A pause ensued.
''Then you think 81 is the lowest ?''
''Ahem have a large lot. and want to
dispose of them. I'll say So sol