The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-05
HINTS ABOUT SHOPPING.

An Eastern exchange says though
the spring solstice come on the 22d of
the current month, there is feeling
astir that the time is near for lighter
fabrics and preparations for warm
weather. Our merchants are be-
ginning to display grenadines and thin
goods, and to mark down such fabrics
as are soon to be put away for the sum-
mer. Now is a good time to buy. It
is not likely that muslins, calicoes,
ginhams, table linen, and tlannels will
go any lower than they are now. At
present prices manufacturers are los
ing on cotton and linen goods. and
when the prices change they will 90
up. Silks are cheaper than they have
been for years, and there are bargains
in furs and cloths. For the last three
years the prices for black dress goods
and flannels have changed very slightly;
so OF cloths; but in these goods, es-
pecially in cloths, there are remnants
to be had at great bargains. As the
various wants of the family for the
coming season make themselves felt,
it is good plan to make out a list of
such articles as are needed, and, when
convenience serves, purchase them at
the nearest business center. If the
lady is not a perfect judge of qualities
and prices, she should go only to the
stores Of leading merchants in the city
that she visits, where she will find ar
ticles of different grades and styles.
but Of uniform price, and she should
avoid all the so called s:dollar'' and
''cheap' stores. Those who know
what they want and exactly what they
should pay may trust themselves in
any store without fear of being cheat
ed; but the s0llndest policy is go to a
frst-class dealer in the goods desired
and buy at the market price.
Instead of running around to hunt
up bargains, if she goes to house of
repute and trades there she will find
economy and convenience alike in so
doing. Clerks in such houses have no
interest in 'misrepresenting goods
or in overreaching customers. When
the shopper has been around to two or
three of these establishments compar-
ing goods and prices, she will find out
where she can best suit herself. 1t is q
good plan for the shopper to state frank
ly to the clerk that she is simply look
ing at goods without any immediate
intention of buying, though if she finds
what she wants she will buy. This
prevents any undue expectation and
any disappointment ON either hand
When a lady starts out with an inten-
ton to buy certain article, she knows
about how much she is able to- spend
for it; and if she asks the clerk to show
her the best he can do for her within
certain limits as to price and quality.
she may save him and herself a great
deal of trouble, and be quite likely to
get what she wants if it is to be had.
Often the judgment of the clerk Will
aid her own, and may be able to- assist
and direct her choice until she has be-
come an expert shopper and needs no
such assistance.
It is we'll to lay in supplies of certain
staple articles of dry goods, just as one
lays in sugar by the barrel, soap and
starch by the box, and coal by the ton.
calicoes, flannels, table linen,
hosiery, blankets, these are always in
demand; SO are thread, needles, tapes,
buttons and other small wares. It
takes about as long to go to the store
and buy spool of thread as it does to
buy a carpet, and if one will kill all
these little birds with one stone deal
of time and trouble may be saved; and
then it is so convenient, when any
piece of dressmaking or tailoring is to
be done, to have all the little things
necessary to the work on hand. To be
sure, money so invested is not accu-
interest, but the time and
mental impulse thus saved are more
than equivalent for the interest.
''People won't patronize art nova
days. said Disguised artist, as he
left the picture sale uptown, yesterday.
'tThey throw away their money Cd