Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-11
The Art Of shoppIBE-A woman's Mode

I
mo genius for shopping. They are not equal
to it. Nature has left their faculties imper-
feoted in that particular. 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 60 to a store
and select what they want, and buy it. But
that is not shopping; that requires no genius.
Men pretend that they don't like to go shop
| ping with the ladies. | wonder who ever
asked them What lady would have such
an ercumbrance on such occasiOns2 Men
are well enough in their places. Young gen
| tlemen are convenient to take them to con-
certs and see US home from church, and
bring us bouquets and muse, and hush lnds
are useful, l suppose, to pay the bills, &ci
! hut for a shopping excursion they are quite
| out of place Do YOU understand me to in
sinuate that have distinguished ability that
way2 Not at all only speak for my sex.
| In fact | acknowledge a poor hand at it.
| But my friend, Sallie H., is a model shopper.
| am taking lesson Of her, and hope to be
perfect by the time | am married. A few
days since she invited me to 60 with her.
Il wish to look at the new style Of silks"
said she.
why, do you want to get dress?'
asked.
"Really," said Sally, "if it was not i'm
polite, should say you were verdant.
| don't want Dress but that's no reason why
/ shouldn't see tine material" III.
So Salhe 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 goods"
said she; such as barege robes and lawn
robes, handsome striped plsidsilks, brocades
and changeable silks are notimuch worn this
spring, but I'll look at your solid colors"
The merchant soon had his counter spread
with goods. She examined and tossed the
pieces about, making various creases in them
to see whether they would come out again
by rubbing.
"What style is worm" said Sallie to the
clerk.
Well we sell probably more plaid stripes
Have you any with chenc stripes?" in
quired Sallie.
''Oh yes, some very fne," and variety
'ofpieces were produced.
"Well, / can't say, after all, that like the
chene stripe; it looks like the old style re-
vived. | prefer the plaids; the green is
vetEy pretty pretty =, :. ,,.,..
it and creasing it.
"Weu, it don't crease much" said she; 81
wonder whether it will cut }"
mo, it is boiled silk, and we find that the
plaids and stripes generally wear very we'll"
Your silks are very pretty, and you may
cut me off sample, if you please, Continued
Sallie.
This the merchant was forced to do though
with rather bad grace, as most of his goods
we're in patterns, and he feared spelling the
i3ce.
"Will you be kind enough to give me
samples Of the solid colors ?'
These were also furnished.
This plaid, you say, is 81 81? Is that
the lowest P
eyes; we can't take less
How many yards in the pa.tern?"
Fourteen
''Id rather have eighteen perhaps might
conclude to have lonnces. Well, I'll take the
sample and show it to my mother and then
make up my mind. Have you any Coates
cotton ? give me O spool, No. 49,"
This was handed her; she paid five cents,
and we left. l looked at my watch. We
had been there exactly an hour
"What cheat ! can buy these spools
for four cents, said Sallie, when we were
fully out; "and besides we forgot their
shGwls"
So we went to another store.
Have you any Stella shawls?"
es, some very beautiful ones, Just opened.
Would you like to see the broche borders,
or printed ?"
Both
ANY particular colors?'
NNo sir; I'll look at them ALL said Sallie.
Different patterns and colors were accord
ingly produced.
What is the price of this green center
broche borderW
'We can afford you that at 80; same
style sold for $l5 two months ago. Some
printed borders were put at 81 80.
mo, prefer broche; but can't you take
saw twinkle in the merchants eve,
which made me think he knew she was only
shopping.
"Now,' said he, 'if you won'tmention it.
I'll let you haye it for Sc.
Sallie looked surprised. She knew the
article was selling at SO.
six dollars; is that your lowest ?"
=, We'll, TO oblige you, will say SAL" said
A pause eusued.
"Then you think 81 is your lowest?"
"Aheml we have large lot aud want to
dispose of them. I'll say 80 sol"
Are, you sure it is frst-rate piece of
"I'll warrant it all silk and wool, said the
merchant.
Ny friend was caught. Turning to me
she whispered:
81 do wish had brought some moneyp |
and then, addressing the merchant, said:
II will call again p
never was so glad to get out of store
before; for the clerks had gathered around |
us, seeming to understand the joke. But |
Sallie went home, got the money, and in
sisted on my returning with her to the store
for the shawl. The trader said he was sorry,
very, but the shawl had just been sold. And
so was Sallie, too, | thought. We went
shopping no more that afternoon.