The Newtown bee., 1892-09-02
An noyance to Woman Shoppers.

It requires a large amount of moral courage in these days to go shopping. Suppose you set out to buy pair of through serambling mob of we'll dress ed women, greedy for bargains and thrsting for remnants; after you have meekly inquired your way of the top lofty saleslady, and have received a re- ply that mixes you up more than ever, you reach the desired counter, only to be confronted with new terrors.
 Leaning over the counter is being that looks at you coldly and analytical ly, as you ask to look at stockings. Nevertheless, he condescends to hand you box and, while you examine the goods, looks languidly away into the dim hereafter, or, it may be, into the dreamy past.
 He rouses with start and looks pity | ingly at you when you ask the price, as who should say; "Poor worml They are quite beyond your purse" And if you take pair, he rolls them up, hands you the parcel and procures your change with an air of disapproving depreciation. That man thinks you are living beyond your means.
 Or it may be that you strike a worse infiiction-the familiar salesman, who displays his stock with many flourish, allusion and side glance which brings the blood to your face. GA lady of your style now would like these, I am | sure,'' and he whips out pair whose colors outyell Joseph's coat. He always knows just what you want, asks you insinuatingly if you are sure this pair will be large enough, and con- ducts himself generally so that you long i to knock him down.
 | What business has a man at the stock ing, corset or underwear counters of large shop? All women have not reach ed where Pauline Bonaparte ar rived, when, being reproached by friend | for allowing her man servant to bring her chocolate to her in bed ,replied, naive . ly: "Why, my dear, you do not call | that man.''
 To be sure, there are shoppers to
  more than dummy, an automaton set up and worked in some mysterious fash 1 ion to further their interests. Then there are the women who laugh, jest and | even coquet with salesmen. But there are other shoppers, and there is no reas- on why a refined, modest gentlewoman should be obliged to discuss details of | the mysteries of her toilet with total stranger, even though it be only over a | counter.
 On the other hand, why should shop girls be placed at counters where they will be subjected to the bold admiration and coarse jests of men shoppers? There is no reason why girls should be obliged | to sell articles of mems wear; to be ask ed to put on a strangers necktie, to try on his gloves, or give her advice about 1 nightshirts.
 1 l wonder some of the women refoF- mers don't quit screaming for their right l to vote, and insist on their rights to be | waited on by their own sex when they buy underwear. A man dressmaker is bad enough, but man corset seller is an abomination.
 In shopping expedition undertaken the other day, with soreness of spirit and black desperation, I saw two pie lures which illustrate the utter stiffness and brutality of the present system of clerk distribution.
 At corset counter, young woman was looking at pair of stays, which a silken, delicate youth with bang and lisp was holding up against his manly breast and expatiating on their attract ions. "I can recommend this corset" he was saying. He locked it. At another counter,a girl was fitting pair of gloves to the hands of mottled faced, blase eyed man. The girl had sweet, troubled face, in which the pink was mastering the white at some remark of her customer.
 "Please don't.' I heard her say tim idly as passed.
 "I can recommend this corset"
 "Please donti''
 Right about, shop keepers - Edith Sessions Tupper in New York World.