Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-05-03
The Art Of Shopping.

I ANNA III llltt litatttNhlsAis ltN NdU Nllit
books, aud nuke speeches, aud all that sort
\ of thing, but they are not up to shopping.
/ II takes the ladies for that. Men 20 to a
store, select what they want, and buy it, -
! But that is not shopping; that requires no
genus Men pretend they do not Ike 10 20
\ shopping with the ladies'. wonder who
ever asked them? What lady would have
such an circumference on such occasions
Men are well enough in their places
Young gentlemen are convenient to lake
them to concerts, and see us home fom
church, and bring us boquets and music ;
and husbands are useful | suppose, to pay
the bills, &c. hut for shopping excursion
they are quite ont Of place. Do you
understand me to insinuae that | have
distinguished ability that way ? Not at all {;
| only speak for my sex. In fact, ac-
knowledge myself poor hand at it. But
my friend, Sallie II. R.--, is model
shopper. am taking lessons Of her, and
hope to be perfect by the time am married.
A few days since she invited me to GO with
her.
Il wish to look at the new style of silks, /"
said she.
Why, do you want TO get dress " |
aked.
Really" said Sallie, if it was not i'm,
polite, should say that you were a verdant.
don't want dress, but that's no reason
why | shouldn't see the material"
So Sallie and | 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 good" !"
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 rub
hing.
What style is worm" said sallie to
the clerk.
Well, we sell probably more plaid
stripes than any other"
" Have you any with chene stripes in
quired Sallie.
oh, yes! some very fine, 'and variety
Of pieces were produced.
"Well, ! can't say after all, that | like
the chene stripe it looks ike old style re-
vived perfer the plaids the green is
very pretty
So Salhe held it in various lights, rubbing
it and creasing it.
"Weli, it don't crease much,' said she
+" wonder whether it will cut?"
No, it is boiled silk, and we find that
the plaid and stripes generally wear very
we'll"
Your silks are very pretty, and yor
may cut me off a sample, if you please,
continued Sallie.
This the merchant was forced to do,thougl
with rather bad grace, as most Of hi
goods were in patterns, and he feared spoil
in the piece.
"Will you be kind enough to give m'
samples of the solid coors "
These were also furnished.
9 This plaid, you say, is Sl.37? Is tha
the lowest
; !" Yes, we can't take less.
" How many yards in the pattern z"
Fourteen"
"Pd rather have eighteen; perhaps
might conclude to have llounces. Well III
take the sample and show it 10 my mother
and then make up my mind. Have you
any Coates cotton give me spool No
49,
This was handed her; she paid five
cents and we left. | looked at my watch
I We had been there exactly an hour
i What a cheat l can buy these spools
for four cents" said Sallie, when we were
fully out; "and besides We forgot the
shawls."
So we went to another store.
Have you any Stella shawls Z"
" Yes, some beautiful ones, just opened
Would YOU like to see the broche borders
or printed 2"
Both"
" Any particular colors ?"
No, sir; I'll look at them al" said
Sallie.
Different patterns and colors we're ac-
cordingly produced.
What is the price Of this green center
broche border:
. We can afford you that for S9 same
style sold for SIS two months ago. Some
printed borders were put up for S4.50."
. No, prefer boche but can't you take
less
saw twinkle in the merchants eye,
which made think he knew she was only
shopping
Now" said he if you won't mention
it, III let ycu have it for So"
Six dollars is that your lowest
Well, to oblige you, | will say ST ]!
said the merchant.
A pause ensuced.
Then you think 81 is your lowest
Ahem: have large lot and want TO
dispose of them. I'll say S2.50!"
" Are you sure it is first-rate piece OF
goods +"
I'm warrant it all silk and WOOL said
the merchant.
My friend was caught Turning to me
she whispered -
- do wish had brough: some money,
and the addressing the merchant, said, = |
will call again
/ never was so glad to get out Of a store
before for the clerks had gathered around
US seeming to understand the joke. Bot
Sallie went home, got the money, and in-
sisted upon my returning With her to the
store for the shawl. The trader said he
was sorry, very. but the shawl had just