The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1890-01-10
our FIR DETECTIVE WORK
How tho Big Stores Find Out What
Rivals Arc Doing.


The proprietor Of ono Of the largest
dry-goods stores on Fourteenth street
sat in his Office LAST Monday morning
looking over some marked advertise.
nents in the Sunday newspapers. Pres.
entity he rang for the superintendent and
that gentleman came in.
''Alr. Johnson" said the merchant.
''these advertisements that have
| marked here are worth inquiring into.
il seems that some Of our competitors
pre- Offering special inducements at this
ime in the matter OF holiday goods.
ttend TO this at once, please, and let
N bear from You"
Mr.. johnson bowed. took tho papcrs
u walked out. He devoted about half
the next hour to carefully reading
Ter the advertisements referred to by
5 employer Then Mr.. johnson
hrned around and, nodding 70 ono OF
- <AesS III his Office, SAL:
wis; yah would find Miss Williams
n the bric-a-brac department. Tell
~ would Like to see her at once.v
The clerk went out, and in a few mo-
R's returned with young woman.
{xas very pretty, dcmure and in
pfent-appcaring girl. She was we'll
4 pceu' and seemed to know why she
. Nm sent for. She looked up At the
chendent with an ina uirinr glance
iou sent for me, sir?v
Miss Williams,v said Mr.. John.oc \
IA has -
to-day, go"
Miss Williams simply nodded, smil-
'ngiy' and then Mr.. johnson took tho |
marked papers and spread them out be- |
, !. her A long conversation followed.
Mss williams made notes from tho adj |
easements IS she read them and re-
pss'eo them over to herself number Of
''mTs as though committing them 70
The superintendent said to
so"' would like to DO able 70 re-
Nh n 'n'smatter to the firm by tomorrow.
M 4, u you arc very spry Won will ~
,l !" ~ around to all these parties
o,aay before six o'clock
MISS Williams now withdrew 70 The
Ooin IN which the clerks hung their
iaps' In few moments she came ont
y ..n oonnet, gloves and wrap, looking |
Y unlike many Of the stylish Young ,
omen who were coming in 10 start their |.
Y shopping. When she stepped out :
N 'ne street she looked up and down
moment Is though undecided
IN way TO 60. Then she pursed up
|. Pre'ty lips into pout, nodded her !
Z" n knowing way and tripped Of :
{ lively pace toward Fifth avenue. :
y nad not gone tar before she saw : !,
.ons q shoppers going into ono OF the j
stores. She followed in their wake. :
! although the crowd in front OF her
Z very large she managed in some ;,
Y - get near the front 1t each coun-
with very little difficulty. At one | .
'ne counters she remained for soma !.
ne. 81
want 70 sec some Of that surab silk !.
!, nave advertised" she said.
ne clerk took down several bolts Of u
~ SIX and she examined IL critically. 4
inank YOU" she said. 90
moment later she was at another -
'n1er, where large wax dolls wcro 4
u disposed Of 70 hungry crowd Of
ppers' There were several clerks at a.
counter and the floor-walker also ",
'peneu 70 be standing there. He let -
~ iail upon Miss Williams and he n
.ea 70 recognize her. lilo stepped a
|" her' standing 90 that he was be-
!, ncr and the counter, and said. II n
~ slightly tingcd with sarcasm; u
-, now do you do, Miss Williams:
Il, glad 70 SEQ YOU" ~
AZ williams drew herself up very N
I. stared 1t tho noor-walker IN
NV. \ naughty manner, and said, vory 10,
" No no arc you, sirf don't know Won. ~
NM, mat DO you mean, cir, by d. no
~. said tho noor-walker. n n
l sn' ! recognized you Is tho Miss ~,
csah who once was employed hero WI
- s''' "a caah grill / sm not ths ~