The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-06-29

he came back directly with not only a
new tile, but new gear from head to foot,
and he hadn't left the building He said |
1t was so handy.like, that, after getting |
new head covering he thought of the |
Irishman who wanted to build his house |
from the top, and hold up one brick while |
he put the next under it After shingling |
the roof, he thought he needed recovering |
all the way down, ana we all said we !
hadn't really known father was such II fine |
looking man
Mother started TO buy some pieces of |
white goods, but when we looked at the |
made-up underwear to see about trimming, |
she declared it was cheaper and handler TO |
buy the garments than the cloth and |
when you see them all tucked and em-
brodered, you'll say so too. Father had
allowed Katie and me one hundred dol
lars for black silk dresses. We selected
handsome ones, you may be sure, but we
saved enough on the price to buy Sunday
gowns for poor Widow Dobbins and her
three little girls; nice wasn't2 Your
lavender silk we matched perfectly, en-
ccpt in one thing. Instead of S2.75 we
gave just II G2, and you'd say it might
have been cut off the same piece. We
saw lady bring back two dress patterns,
and cody say she'd changed her mind and
wanted her money back! Mother laid
down the goods she was lingering, and
wanted to see what they would say; for,
mind you, each dress was cut off. Do
you believe, they simply measured the
goods, and gave her cash check as
though they just did this thing for fun?
We hadn't gone round very long among
the stores, before father and cousin Tom
were getting loaded up Cor down, which,
ever way you put iD, and the polite clerks
| kept asking if we "wouldn't have trans
| fer" But mother was all the while afraid
| the things might be transferred away from
her; and every bundle she kept saying
would be the last as she would send them
| to the hotel, and we would be through in
| this building and going out to hunt up
other stores. But every kind of store we
asked for they pointed right out under the
| same big roof, and father and Tom de-
clared Mey'd "transfer' if she didn't take
| one. So they gave us dH, which meant
that all we bought in any store was sent to
that number of storc-room and when we
| were all through, they'd have them ready
for us, with the bill, and when we saw
them all right and together we'd pay for
| them. This satisfied mother.
/ wanted you, my petite old chum, TO
help me select the embroidery and trim
ming for that India Swiss think it will
trail four yards if it's finger, And the
lace veil to match is just lovely, and you'll
| say so. Mother said the saving on this
fincry alone will pay for our trip.
| In what they call the basement, there is
the biggest lot of everything wanted in a
housc-exeept what you wear-that ever
saw. Just as many avenues and streets
and stores here as up stairs. A light,
busy-looking place it is. For a while |
didn't know where the puffs of wind came
from, and fancled some young fellows
were blowing my ribbons about when
| passed them, but it was the cool air from
the pipes that kept the place so delight
| full.
| AT noon we even took our dinner in IL
restaurant kept for the visitors, and had a
nice rest in the parors, with books, pa
pers, and writing materials and an or
chestra Cor orchestreon they call it) playing
in the next room.
|
Tomorrow morning we are going to
spend in the museum upstairs. Tom
found it out prOwling round at lunch
time. Mother says this is the easiest shop
ping trip she's made in forty ycars-at
least weeks work done in day. Don't
forget, Beckic, that what I've told you about
Sallies beau, give you just exactly as il
was given me-in strict confidence. Come
anssee me when we get back; I'll have
lots and lots to tell you. We've saved so
much time shopping that father says We
may as well put in two or three days
sightseeing if we want to; but he don't
think well find any house as roomy and
pleasant rs the Grand Depot. Love to
everybody.
Ailectionately,
, SOPHIE.
Z. S.-Wc bought some summer drcs
patterns, just too sweet for anything
Light foamy tl6cks upon shaded sea
green, like the waves zen the tide come
in-real sca-shore fnery isn't it?
p. s. No. 2.--You dear old girl, didn'
finish telling you what the India Swiss an
= lace veil were for--so | didnt,-but yol
r guessed it, of course. Charlie has pro
} not provoked me exactly but the othc
; thing you know. Tom teascs me, an
calls it "thc pro and con !" Wen, had t
5 let poor, dear Charlie have his own way
= and it was handy to come to town now
1 and we've got everything for housckeepin
o right here, from parlor suits to tin cups
, and you'll wish me JOY know