, 1880-02-01
DRUGSTORE STAMP-AGENcIES.

calls for postage-stamps. Judging from the
tenor Of the complaints that he poured into
the editorial meatus auditorlus, he was the
mildest and meekest pill-roller ever heard
of. think he did not tell half his story,
and hope you will pardon me il / attempt to
complete it as it comes within my own expe-
rience.
I am located near an educational institu-
tfo1, and the students must be supplied with
stamps. At least YOU would think so were
you to hear them ask for them. Besides this
trade, we have large family trade, and, as
we keep stationery goods as well as drugs,
we want to accommodate our customers by
keeping stamps for their use; but I assure
you, taking It all in all, it is thankless and
proftless task, and one has to do great deal
of talking to keep peace in the family. For
instance, if you are out Of threes and sug-
gest that they use two and a one, they al
most invariably ask:
'Is it all the same?'
"Certain1y."
ssOh, am afraid 1t won't CO."
"Just as you say"
swell, III take them to accommodate you,
if you think it's all right-''
II assure you it is no accommodation to
us!1
WelI, LII take them and try IL
they occur in trade quite often: Probably
at 1neal-time. when one is alone in the store,
a customer enters with q prescription, which
in moment is being compounded with all
possible speed: Enter another customer,
and looks crosseyed at You every time you
peep around the corner Of the prescription
case. You let them (No. 2 and - wait till
they begin to move uneaslly about the store,
and, not knowing their wants you finally
make bold sally to ascertain them,
The first-."I wanter see the ,d'rect,,ry."
The second" Gimme stamp"
You pass out a three cent stamp.
"Oh! want two-cent one"
You pass out a two. She leisurely lcks 1t,
and @Yeyy.6 Eey56; (which '0fn'r' th'sf
she Slowly puts her letter on the show
case and presses it till the glass fairly gIoans;
Then 12. she 81 o says ~oh2 VS. guess l WILL
By this time you are getting a little nerv-
GUS, but you pleasantly hand ont three
center, and, after it is snugly put away in
her purse, you get your nickel and, start for
the prescription case, when she - says; ~;
stick tony pocketbook."
You wrap it up (anything to please the
No. insinuatingly asks if her medicine is
not ready yet.
Another common occurrence is as follows:
You are busy In the Workroom. Enter lady:
You 70 into the store to see who is there, and
excuse yourself with 'Just in a minute,
madam,h wash your hands, turn out the
o FAM M ndeF Te 1s n Seq e gaPe P erestue es
with shrill voice say:
- Stamps"'
'sYes, ma'am."
t'Gimme one"
'Yes.''
HayiRe raRs GaSt gotten the stamp, you cross tbs
store and get the envelope, hand It to her
with the stamp, when she says, guess
I'll have you back this for me, and it,u save save
\ me ct the y9 trouble Of going home and back
Of course you are willing. to save her that
trouble, and " back" it up in good style, but
in doing this you possibly blot it, and you
that it IS worth cent to write it. But don't
YOU forget you never get the cent. nor the
pay for the second envelope well, she
reads the address, sticks the stamp on, and
takes the letter from her pocket a1d quietly
"AAnythlng 81 more9"
Occasionally this hint is taken, and with
Oh, excuse me" they hand oyer the money,
Xii 'o With the remark =" You will have to
change bill for me, as it is the smallest
have.'' , r.,
"What are you going to do about 1t r You
per from tie drawer, rather than trust her,
them further. / will Simply speak Of indi~
yidual cases that are often repeated:
Some come in and n ae m1st 4s y mpnuen' efomn
II, as It occasionally happens, you are out Of
tire, tire fairly shaking the building, to It's very
foundations. have seen people thai wonld
usually ca ades dspay9g aSar taS5 pffSSIen fes
thew y& would ago to drugstore - Again.
they would ,insolently Temarks e ,ast,ly WY
thought you kept stamps" ana 1asI!ly, NJ; ~;
Ed9a ex Whae Sava IS at derent mes been called
from our bed between the hours Of II P n.
and g. m. for stamps. The druggists night
bell is very handy, and always comes @ u 19I a
good share of attention. NotW1thstanolng
to to- take the proper vie. view +hef, Of ta4, the
fainiy % must know that we are obliged
to send to the Office for them, and this $, re- e
Quires as much of our time as It Wonla OF
from the centre OF the city, and have to re-
pIenish our stock of stamps and cards from m
two to four times week. 1Ipm sona
s3 to S12 worth at time; feel certain tna5
our sales of this commodity VIII ayerage g ~ ~
time required to deal out this; amount IN
quantities to suit the people, and when con-
yerted into steps is only expressed py tne al"
gebraic letter 6. The GoyernmenG 59ouiu r.
pay those that spend SO muc9 tlme IN asitss
IA IA 1,rt i-aan them MS they do, they would be