Nevada County picayune., 1886-02-10
Mrs. Pickrell reprimanded the

called to Carry to "mind what she was ahoutr when a box of ribbons fell off the counter upon the floor.
 Garry grew very weary, her head began to ache, and she won- dered how long 1t would be before "shutting-up time."
 At last a tall, brown-faced young man came in, wearing a foreign looking coat trimmed with fur, and somehow bearing in hls aspect the indescribable stamp of belonging to some other country.
 One of the banged-hair nymphs was eating her lunch; the second had rushed up the street to get change for a ten-dollar bill, and the third was engaged in matching an impossible shade of ribbon for q lady who was determined not to be pleased with anything.
 "Carryw shrilly signalled Mrs. Pickrel.
 "What can I show youW she asked, timidly, of the new custo- mer.
 "Silk, please,' said the young man.
 And when Carry perceived that he was considerably more emhar- rassed than herself. she took cour- age.
 What color!" she said.
 II don't know" answered the customer, "that is, l haven't made mp my mind. Perhaps you could suggest-'
 "What is it fori' Carry asked, with mild moderation of his evi- dent bewilderment; and at the same time she could not help per ceiving that he was very hand some, with wavy black hair and li- quid eyes, long lashes, and pleas ant to look upon.
 "For a dress"
 "A dress? But is it for young lady, or an old onsW
 II don't know" acknowledged the. gentlemsn. "Young, that is, not old. She can't be over forty. To tell you the truth"-and he smiled in spite of himsclf--"l've never seen the lady. But she is a cousin of mine and 1 want to make her a present.
 "Yes-I understand" said Carry. '.Is it to be black or coloredW
 "What would you adviseg" said the stranger, blindly catching at Carry's feminine counsel as a ship wrecked mariner may be expected to cling to a floating spar.
 "Black would perhaps be more suitable, seeing that you don't know the lady's age or complex ion," remarked Carry.
 "But blue and pink are such pretty colors," pleaded the dark haired young man, looking long ingly at the piles of lustrous fab rics on the shelves.
 "Yes," said Carry, growing in- tercsted; "but they .are only suita- ble for very few occasions, while black is always appropriate"
 "I thought that only old ladies wore black silkW
 "Young ladies do also,, calmly asserted Carry.
 If you were selecting dress" said the stranger in desperation, "which color would yon choose?"
 .I would choose seal brown" said Carry after second or two of dcliberation.
 "Eh?- should you7 Show me seal brown then, please" said the customer. Its a little grave, per haps"-surveying the shining folds --"but it's pretty--yes, its very pretty! How many yards now does it take for a dress"
 q should think" said Carry, af. ter a second interval of reflection, ''that fifteen yards might answer il it was economically cut"
 "I don't know anything about economy" said the young man, Il want good allowance"
 "Then should recommend eighteen yards," advised Garry.
 "Cut me off eighteen yards" ad- vised the young gentleman, prompt ly; "and put in the Things and trimmings and all that sort of thing please-you'll know what l need better than I do myself, And l say-r ..t
 '.Sir?" said Carry, as he hesita-