St. Landry democrat., 1886-01-23
DISGUSTED WITH THEM.
a Strong Minded Lady Airs Her
Views on Shopping Women"

The strong-minded lady was slipping
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 disgusted. The
young girl who sat at the table with her
tried her utmost to dissipate the gloomy
clouds which hovered so persistently
over her intellectual companion. The
effort was futile. The strong-minded
lady declined to be anything but dis
gnsted.
Don't tell me that such condition
of things is normal" she said. as
group of ladies more energetic and
chattering with more volubility than
any she had previously seen passed be-
fore the window. 'I tell you it is 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
ly into the stores as though their lives
depended upon the act. What do they
want? intellectually to entertain their
husbands? Funds of information to
amuse their fathersp Attractive little
devices to keep their brothers at homer
No. Six cents worth of ribbon to
match bonnet, half yard of plush to
cover hat designed to excel one they
have previously seen, or some material
from which 10 make a dress for sum-
mer, though summer isn't nearly here.
Pshaw!''
The strong-minded lady yieiously
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, 1'is an abnormal condition of
womanhood induced by the absurdly
rapid civilization of the times. / have
fer 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 q part OF her
daily work as eating or drinking. Let
me cite the case of an aunt of mine,
which I diagnosed for my own benefit,
and which | trust you will allow me to
quote in medical manner. Lizzie g.,
my aunt, daughter of a very estimable
gentleman, married when young girl,
and mixed in the best society. She de-
spised frivolity, had written a series of
Bible stories for her children, was always
ready to preach against the fooiishness
of girls, and was generally considered
model wife. I staid some time IN her
house about the year 1873. and noticed
that her husbands 8 business seemed in
bad way, and that there was some
naucity 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 no
necessitv that she should do so. 4 have
had such firing day, dear, she said to
me: 4 have been at the store since nine
o'clock this morning. It's extremely
fatiguing. 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 placed upon the table what
20 INV horror recognized as black Grape
collars, cuffs and bows.
.. my DEAR said /, in amazement,
swhat did you make those wretched
purchases for? I'm not superstitious,
but don't like to see you tbuying Grape
when you don't need it.