The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1892-04-07
FOR THE WOMEN FOLKS.


recent date, Isabel A. Mallon relates
her experiences In buying dress
goods in England where everything
can be had for q song, IL We are TO be-
lieve our Democratic contempt
raries. For two years, Mrs. Mallon
relates, she had decided 10 go abroad
and replenish her wardrobe and
saved up money In accordance with
this intention. On the way over she
met an American friend who re-
minded her that she was at least
unpstriotic In going abroad to pur-
chase that which she could buy at
home. After a good deal Of discus
sion, she promised the friend In
question that she would not buy any
thing she could get at home with the
same money.
Arrived In London the first thing
she did was to start out shopping.
and first Of all she looked up zephyrs,
ssteens, printed lawns, and the like.
She found them pretty enough, but
zephyr ginghams that were - cents
a yard could be duplicated in any
American town as 10 price and quail
ity. and in some OF the large cities
for good deal less. Printed muslins
cost Is cents for which American
merchants ask Is cents. Challies
were Is cents that could be had on
this side for 10. Ssteens were %
cents there that can be had here for
10 to % cents. Wooden goods you
know the free traders main hold il
wOolensl were then looked at. A
blue and white checked suiting was
wanted and they wended their way
to famous tailor shop to see what a
suit would cost. They were sorely
disappointed, however, and came To
the conclusion that a shop run In
New York by these same people had
smarter looking frocks, better made,
and better fitting. The check suit
ing in question cost 10 cents a yard
and II could be had on this side Of
the water for 50 cents, besides having
the satisfaction Of spending money
among ones own countrymeu.
Then they turned their attention
to Serge" They were in raptures
over il, and were sure 1t was cheaper
than anything in America, and more
desirable. 1t was found light i'm
weight. and loosely woven. 1t was
forty-eight cents yard and friend
standing by had on a dress just like
IL, the material OF which had been
purchased in Philadelphia for 81.
cents. Then their purses were
folded, gave thanks because Amer
leans were gradually coming to their
senses and silently walked away.
Still, Mrs. Mallon relates, she did
not wish to go home before buying a
single new frock, and knowing the
English were great on tennis goods
she determined to get one. The de-
sign was OF light flannel with lines
of red, blue and brown going over
its surface. 1t cost her p cents a
yard, but at a first-class store at
home IL can be had for the same
money. Many of the prices she
names as quoted her i'm London
were advertised as bargains" and
yet they were either the same or
higher than every day American
prices.
Mrs. Mallon, after mature re-
Election over her experience, comes
to the conclusion that IL is snobbery |
OF the worst sort to gloat over mate
rial being imported; and patriotism
Of the best to show a good fabric and |
to claim it was designed and made at |
home. The women of this country |
can do much toward making it the
greatest in the world, first by
guiding the men i'm the way they
should 60, and next by encouraging
home industry.
But this is not all. Black silks
that cost sl.TO In London can be had
on this side for 81 40; for that which
cost sl.09 on this side sl.25 was
demanded In London. Cashmeres
henriettas, grenadines, and lace
are about the same In
price and quality, while some that
cost S5 cents over there may be had
here for thirty. 1t Is about the
same the whole way through the
list. American dry. goods, like
dressed beef, will soon be
known in the markets OF the old
world as the best in the world. And
il must be added, too, that the secret
,f it all lies In beneficent tariff
such rs has been given
he country by the Republican par