Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-02-11
DISGUSTED WITH THEM.
A Strong Minded Lady Airs Her
Views ON Shopping Women"

chocolate in one of the little lunch re-
sorts in Sixth avenue. Her lip curled
with scorn as through the windows she
beheld the crowds of ladies shopping
with all their heart and soul and might,
as though they had been brought into
the world for no other purpose and fully
intended to carry out their mission. The
strong-minded lady was disguised. The
young girl who sat at the table with her
tried her utmost to dissipate the gloomy
clouds which lowered so persistently
over her intellectual companion. The
effort was futile. The strong-minded
lady declined to be anything but dis
gusted.
Don't tell me that such q condition
of things is normal" she said. as a
group of ladies more energetic and
chattering with more volubility than
any she had previously seen passed be-
fore the window. 81 tell you tits moth
ing of the kind. Those creatures there
are for the time being puppets, dolls, or
anything you like. Women decline to
call them. Look at them rushing mad
]y into the stores as though their lives
depended upon the act. What do they
wantp intellectually to entertain their
husbandsp Funds of information to
amuse their fathers? Attractive little
devices to keep their brothers at homer
No Civ nantc' xunpth nf pshbnn 70
match bonnet, half a yard of plush to
cover hat designed to excel one they
have previously seen, or some material
from which TO make dress for sum-
mer, though summer isn't nearly here.
Pshaw!"
The strong-minded lady viciously
drained her cup of chocolate, ordered
another in stentorian tones, and turned
to her youthful companion with re-
newed vigor "a shopping woman"
she said, sis an abnormal condition of
womanhood induced by the absurdly
rapid civilization of the times. l have
for the past six years studied the phe-
nomenon of shopping, and l may say,
as the result of my studies, that the
chronic shopper is afflicted with spe-
cies of insanity. She can not help her.
self. She is determined to shop, come
what may. 1t is as much a part of her
daily work as eating or drinking. Let
me cite the case of an aunt of mine,
which diagnosed for my own benefit,
and which / trust you win allow me to
quote in medical manner. Lizzie c.,
my aunt daughter of a very estimable
gentleman, married when young girl,
and mixed in the best society. She de-
spised frivolity, had written series of
Bible stories for her children, was always
ready to preach against the foolishness
of girls, and was generally considered q
model wife staid some time in her
house about the year 1873, and noticed
that her husbands business seemed in Q
bad way, and that there was some
paucity of funds. Lizzie c., my aunt,
consequently felt herself obliged to re.
duce expenses and to buy everything OF
the cheapest. A frantic desire for bar.
gains came upon her. She would rise
at an early hour of the morning and at
tend sales which she had seen adver.
tised, though there was absolutely nc
necessity that she should do so. Il have
had such y firing day, dear, she said to
me; Il have been at the store since nine
O'Clock this morning. It's extremely
fatguing. But am pleased to say
have bought some wonderfully cheap
goods. They are simply remarkable
Look here She produced a parcel, un
folded it, and placedupon the table wha
to my horror recognized as black Grape
collars, cuffs and bows.
"'My DEAR said l, in amazement
what did you make those wretchet
purchases forP I'm not superstitious
but | don't like to see you buying crap,
when you don't need it.
lyon goose, said Lizzie, laughing
they only cost a tritle, and | intend t.
keep them until l go into mourning
Perhaps shall never have such chanc,
again. And you never know wher
you'll require them Now" said thu
strong-minded lady, theoretically, do
you call that the act of sane woman
My dear child, her intellect had beer
touched by her husbands misfortunes
though no one recognized that fact bu
myself. Her doctor always said that sh'
was the healthiest and most clear-minde,
woman he had ever seen. She remind
me of the fictitious case of Mrs. Smith
which isn't half as ridiculous as yol
might think at first. Mrs. Smith wen
TO sale and saw very cheap door
plate with the name, Mrs. Jones, upol
1t. She bought it. My dear girl,
said friend to whom she spoke of he
purchase, what did You buy that use
less thing for?' It's not useless, sal,
Mrs. Smith, Indignantly. My husban,
might die and l might marry a MAJ
named Mr.. Jones And it's awful,
cheap
Blu; don't compare those sensibl
ladies shopping on Sixth Avenue to tn
cranks you have just mentioned" ssiC
the vouthflll listener orsveiv