The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-02-02
Pity the peor Salesman.

A woman behind the counter is lika
a queen behind her throne, and is fire.
quently tyrannical and arbitrary
sovereign, but a man selling goods
does not possess the same imposing ap-
pearance. His object seems too plain
| ly to sell his wares instead of to trife
with the customer, or to exercise his
great privileges. He is not a dipio-
mate, and in this position with ali its
temptations he is seldom bully.
A few days ago, while waiting on
the will of peerless lady with bando-
line bang and naughty mien in a
Broadway shop, the subscriber was at
tracted by negotiations between two
ladies and a salesman. He was q
heavy-built, stalwart young man, with
fresh color, and, to the casual glance,
in good training, weight about 16O
pounds, skin clear and well colored.
The ladies were from out of town-ws
will say Jersey-the Jersey flats, by
way of venture. The younger, the
would-be purchaser, was very thin, in
cllned to straw color, chill and an
guish-looking, not at all in good con-
dition. You would have given the
shopman long odds in any combat be-
tween the two. But there was moth
er with the younger woman, her dup
licate, if duplicate means double, for
she was just double as fat, double as
old, double as eagle-eyed.
81 want to see some black silks" re-
marked the daughter.
Certainly, madam" said the shop
man. 'tHere is. Iguarantee, the finest
piece of black silk ever made up in the
off Il 1.Ir
silk, I'd buy this black. As long as
any of it's left, even after it gets Slick
and shiny, you can add to it; you can
turn and twist it"
'tAh, but l don't want it if it's going
to get shiny and going to fall to pieces
like that" said the younger lady from
Jersey. 81 want something that'l
wear"
But, madam" began the shopman.
We'll, Mary Jane" interrupted the
elder lady, disparagingly, s'it does
seem an awful pity you've got to give
up your black silk, but l s'pose if the
man says himself it's going to get
shiny and's coming to pieces it's no
good looking for one. Black silks al
ways convenient; in case of family
6HOLO YOU tIl0T0 HOC0l0g
genteeler for church; and as for. teas,
all's extra you've got to have's a lace
tichu, and there you are again. Give
me black silk, says l, and there
am. no matter where you put me.
But, of course, if it's going to get like
that, falling to pieces in your hands.
as he says"
Madam" gasped the shopman.
His knees had begun to tremble and
his breath to shorten.
''Of course nobody wants a dress
that's going to fall to pieces, because,
there'd be the dressmaker to paw. and
what's the use of making it up if it's
bound to act like that?" went on the
younger lady, but she was not weak
ening; her color was high, and a
healthful excitement glowed in her
eyes.
II said, madam, that =" whispered
the shopman.
''Of course feel discouraged, Mary
Jane" said her mother, waving him
aside, ''but at best he's honest; some.
mend try to pass off their goods as
worth buying. Young man, I'll say
this to you: You're silks poor, but
your honest, and wish you we'll"
With this sally they moved off. I'll
kept shop I'd keep it with saleswomen.
They'd awe and subdue, but they'd
sell my black silks.-NeW York Letter
to Hartford C0uraast.