The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-06-25
.Dude" Clothing House.

We worship that which Is express
i've. | was reminded OF this forcibiy
by a firm which has won its way to
the top rank in its particular line by
unblushingly and shamelessly oyer
charging for everything they sell.
They describe themselves as "haber-
dashers," and keep what is known
is the vulgar parlance Of the day as
a gents furnishing-geods" store.
They have a superb superb estab-
lishment 1t is the size OF two
stores; is fitted in polished mahoga-
nv from floor to ceiling, and filed
with a small army of snsbblsh
clerks. A page in livery opens the
door for those who enter, and they
never allow a customer to take any
article home himself If it is only
neck-scarf they send 1t to him,
though he lives five miles away.
/ They have two delivery vans for
that purpose, driven by uniformed
coachmeu with hunkies by their
side to deliver the goods. Altogeth
er the style Of the establishment is
stunning. The prices are SO high
that men of modest means do not
buy there. This is entirely to their
satisfaction, as they donot want that
kind of custom. Nothing in their
shop can be bought at the regular
prices. Collars, for instance, which
sell usually at % cents, are 90 cents
there and they charge 50 cents a
pair for cuffs that are elsewhere .
to 40. 1t is impossible 20 buy any
sort of a scarf or necktie for less
than 81, and the prices for smoking
/ Jackets. bath-robes, and articles of
that sort are positively enormous.
They demand SIS for a bath-robe of
Turkish toweling which could be
bought anywhere else in town for
SD. A few days ago a friend of
mine dropped in casually to order
some shirts. The door was swung
open by an obsequious attendant,
who bowed and pointed to clerk
who was leaning gracefully on the
end of counter. The clerk stepped
forward, bent, and smiled.
II want some shirts, said my
friend.
We'll you be kind enough to step
this way, sir?" and the clerk rubbed
his hands together and walked softly
down the store.
The customer followed until they
arrived at the office in the rear.
There the clerk was met by mem
ber of the firm, who was introduced
to the customer. The customer
rather astonished at so much cere-
mony, was asked with great polite
ness to step up stairs. which he did.
On the way the proprietor asked him
if he would exchange cards. This
being accomplished, the next floor
was reached, and proved to be a
ricbly-upholstered and heavily car
peted parlor The proprietor touch
ed an electric bell, and conversed
easily with his customer until the
shirt maker appeared. He was
measured carefully while the head
of the firm walked casually up and
down the room, as if he had nothing
whatever to do with the shop. He
said nothing about the shirt, and
seemed to treat the call as purely
social. After he had been measured
the customer said you may make
me sample shirt fist"
I'VE never make less than half
dozen shirts. sir, and our price is $50
dozen, said the shirt-naker laconi-
cally.
"But don't care to pay s25 for a
half dozen shirts, and then find
that they do not fit me; and [
think it is an extortionate price,
anyway"
Our customers" said the propri-
etor grandly, never suspect us of
ill-iitting them, and never ask the
price
Il don't care whether they do or
not, said my friend. u want one
shirt for a trial. and 1 will pay you
S5 for it, and that is the end of the
whole matter. Ifyou want to do it
you may; il not, don't trouble your
self There are plenty of shirt-mak-
ers in town who charge at least rea-
sonable figures.
The proprietor looked at him
coldly, twirling his eve glasses in his
fingers, and said: Our customers,
, sir, are not grumblers."
Thereupon my friend freed ms
mind, stalked down stairs, and out
into the street, while the nunkey
opened the door and bowed respect
fully. And yet, this sort of snob-
bishness takes in New York, for the
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