The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-05-10

we worship tnat winch Is expensive. |
1 was reminded of this forcibly by a
firm which has won its way to the top
rank in its particular line by, unblush- !
ingly and shamelessly overcharging for
everything they sell. They describe
themselves as"haberdashers," and keep
what is known in the vulgar parlance
of the day as ''gents' furnishing
goods" store. They have a superb es-
tablishment. 1t is the size Of two
stores; is fitted in polished mahogany
from floor to ceiling, and filed with
small army of snobbish clerks. A page
in livery opens the door for those who
enter, and they never allow customer
to take any article home himself. If
it is only neck-scarf they send it to
him, though he lives five miles away.
They have two delivery vans for that
purpose, driven by uniformed coach
men with flunkies by their side to de-
liver the goods. Altogether the style
Of the establishment is stunning. The
prices are so high that men Of modest
means do not buy there. This is en-
tirely to their satisfaction, as they do
not want that kind of custom. No
thing in their shop can be bought at
the regular prices. Collars, for in
stance, which sell usually at 25 cents,
are 90 cents there and they charge 80
cents pair for cuffs that are elsewhere
25 to 40. 1t is impossible to buy any
sort of 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
S28 for bath-robe of Turkish towel
ing which could be bought anywhere
else in town for S12. A few days ago
friend of mine dropped in casually
to order some shirts. The door was
swung open by an obsequious attend
ant, who bowed and pointed to a clerk
who was leaning gracefully on the end
of a counter. The clerk stepped for
ward, bent, and smiled.
81 want some shirts" !" said my friend.
"Will 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 ar.
rived at the office in the rear. There
the clerk was met by member of the
firm, who was introduced to the GUS
toner. The customer, rather aston
ished at so much ceremony, was asked
with great politeness to step up stairs,
which he did. On the way the pro.
lprietor asked him il he would exchange
cards. This being accomplished, the
next floor was reached, and proved tc
be richly upholstered and heavily-car
peted parlor. The proprietor touched
an electric bell, and conversed easily
with his customer until the shirt-makel
appeared. He was measured carefully,
while the head of the firm walked cas-.
ually 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 az purely
social. After he had been measured
the customer said: "You may make
me sample shirt frst.'
"We never make less than half {
dozen shirts, sir, and our price is $50 {
Dozen" said the shirt-maker laconic'
ally.
"But don't care to pay S25 for 8
half dozen shirts, and then find that
they do not fit me and think it is ar
extortionate price, way"
"Our customers" said the proprieto
grand1y, "never suspect us of ill-ittini
them, and never ask the price,"
81 don't care whether they do or not,
SAID my frlen1. 81 want one shirt TO
a trial, and will pay you S. for it, anC
that is the end of the whole matter. 1
you want 10 do it you may if not
don't trouble yourself. There are
plenty of shirt-makers in town whC
charge at least reasonable figures"
The proprietor looked at him coldly
twirled his eyeglasses in his fingers
and said: Our customers, sir, are no
grumblers.
Thereupon my friend freed his mind
stalked down stairs. and out into th
street, while the Aunkey opened tn
door and bowed to him respectfully
: And yet, this sort of snobbishness take
i'll New York, for the firm is the mos
successful one of its line.