Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-01-17
ISELECTED.
Shopping.

It is mistaken notion to suppose that ladies
always go shopping, for, the purpose of
making purchases Pleasure amusement, ex-
ercise-peeded alike for their physical good and
tLe;r mental conlturt--th desire to see and
he seen, to gossip littIe With their female
friends, and to chat with the handsome young
gentleman behind the counter" mot untre-
ouently take them on around Of shopping.
Let us look into one of our dry goods houses
on bright pleasant morning Every thing
looks neat and inviting. The goods on the
shelves are Systematically arranged, counters
we'll busted, showcases and windows taStefully
decorated with giittering fnery and dazzling
with radiant coIors The Knight of the yard
stick has just stepped in from breakfast. =
Lack at the tout ensemble, 'made up regard
less Of expense of the gentleman whose
business it is to wrap up goods, and
measure off cambria and calico, tor angels IN
crinoline. His coat is the very latest style,
his linen faultless, his neck tie perfect, boots
polished like a mirror, every hair on his head
in it's right place, the ends OF his carefully
brushed and we'll oiled mustache stand out at
the proper angle. and from top to toe he Is
the beau ideal of dry goods salesman. Alady
enters; with Chesterfedlan politeneSs and
grace he salutes her and awaits her orders
An article is called fer and quickly transferred
to the counter, but before a word can be said
in praise of its beauty ana cheapness another,
and still another, and now three or four to
gc,her, the house is alive with filters and
waterfalls, and the salcsman's ears are greeted
with calls for dozen articles at one and the
same time. Soon the shelves are bare, and
the counter piled with silks and satins, laces
and lawns, berages, aud bobbinets, muslins,
poplins, challies, cambrlcs, calicoeS, corsetS,
hoop skirts, kerchiefs, slippers, balmorals, cuffs,
collars, and score Of other articles needed or
used for feminine aGornment
And now, amid chatterlng equaled only by
that of an ayiary. begins the work ct lnspec-
ton. Each article is examined-Some hastily,
others closely. This is too common, that TOO
dear; this rather light; that just a SHADE too
dark this too gay, that too sombre. :" MIR.
Smith" says one, offered me this very artl-
Gle at FIVE cents less in the yard" "and MIR.
Brown says another, "has a piece OF this
goods much prettier and cheaper; and so they
20 on, pulling and hauling at this and that
thing, praising one, finding fault with another,
passing judgment upon ALL A few purchases
are made-a paper of pins, bunch Of tape,
yard or two of ribbon and one by one, or IN
body, as if moved by common impulse, the
dear creatures turn from the counter, and
with slight nod OF the head and short
good morning" vanish out Of the door.
What a change CONES over our salesman
now! There is dark frown upon his face,
and raug ghty words issue from those lips so
lately wreathed with pleasant smiles. He
casts haSty glance at the contents OF the
drawer increased by the addition of few
diapidated fractional notes, proceeds to refold
his goods and restore them to their places, to
be again overhauled by the next comers, and
as be works he growls and grumbles, and NUT
ters something about trouble Tor nothing,
women hard to please :" better stay at
home," and so on.