The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-12-21
New York, Dec. 10th 1870.

| New Ork JUST now Is IN an active
state of holiday preparation-brist
ling all over with the prospect ofgreat
sales and wonderful bargains. Ma
ture, too, appears to be wearing her
best bib and tucker, as if to do honor
to the occasion, and determined upon
prolonging these delightful autumn
days to the last possible moment
Broadway is always unique and bear-
tiful, but now, dressed IN holiday attire
this immense thoroughfare is perfect
ly irresistible. What perfection meets
us on either side as we look in at the
shop windows, decorued with pictures,
precious stones, millinery and dry
goods wonders; treasures from India,
chromos and photographs; and who
but n crazy man would ever think OF
estimating the cost Of the articles dis
played from Canal to 30th street p
1t is said. though, that an enterpris-
ing Yankee reporter attempted this
little Job not long since, but became
disguised at the very first drv-goods
store. Entering Lord s. Taylor's on
Broadway, he stated the object of his
errand
''I hail from Rhode Island" he said
''and haze come t. this village to take
an account OF stock. ] thought Pd
begin at the biggest! Perhaps we'd
better overhaul those chicken-fxin's
first-or hen fixin's, [ suppose had
ought to call 'em-most of 'em belong
to the feminine gender, 1 suppose )"
pointing to the windows containing a
tempting assortment of laceS, fine,
tiimsy and unsubsantial as the web of
glory woven by poets dreams. This,
friends, is only a figure of speech
L mean to say that these laces appear
fimsy and unsubstantial not that
they are. No, indeed They will
wear forever it your .laundress don't
put soda into the water they are
washed in, or rub them an wash
board, or go through some other ri
diculous and equally probable process.
But to return to our reporter whom
we have left standing out in the cold
This, for handkerchief, we call
pretty ce, SAID the obliging clerk,
holding up Il point lace affair, about
twelve inches square, ''and, like most
OF the things in this show window, is
exceedingly cheap" .'Well, how
much is it worth? Much as five dol
lars, suppose ?"
"One hundred and fifty dollars, sir"
laughed the clerk. This lace shawl
Is cheap at one thousand dollars, and
.-- - @
Bunch 'eml Bunch 'em p inter
rupted the astonished Bohemian
Never mind about details. What 1
want to know is do you sell such
stuff? Are their fools in New York
big enough to buy such things?
PLENTY of 'em," !" replied the clerk,
"and that kind of population constant
ly increasing. There may be fifty
dollars worth of "stuff," as
you call it, in this window alone. 1
can't exactly tell. Perhaps Mr.. Tay-
lor could give you the desired infor-
nation"
The eyes of the Yankee were wide
open with astonishment.
''Jemima aH' said he, CHATS what |
| call outrageous, and no mistake
One tenth of that sum would make
me a rich mani"
1t is not to be wondered at that |
men and women, whose lives have |
been spent among the useful and util-
tarian, should be shocked at metro i
politan luxury and extravagance.
Neither is it surprising that the poor,
whom we have with us always, should
become envious and discouraged as
hey pass to and from their labors,
sometimes if there can be
| mercltul Father, when part of the
inhabitants are allowed more than is
necessary for the support Of soul and
body, and others, more deserving,
yalIow in misery all their lsves. a
liificult problem will 1t ever be
olved3 What this reporter would
ay if he should en:er the new store
# the aforementioned firm, corner of
Broadway and goth streets, which has
ust been opened to the public, would
'e hard to imagine. Laces still more
in texture and design are
N exhibition. Satins that stand
lone and silks Of marvellous richness
empt the passer-by. The cheap and
he useful can also be had for the ask
1g. but New York this season seems ,
etermined to havs as much froth as
lbstance at all events, and to enjoy
as keenly.
Does it not seem as we peer INTO
lese windows, and stand amid such
wealth and beauty that