The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-06-23
ENGAGEMENT BRACELETS.
A GuIleless Young Bachelor Distri
buIes Them by Wholesale.

buIes Them by wholesale.
Speaking of Christmas presents, said the
helpless young bachelor, "I've got seven girl
cousins just on the edge of womanhood
They are very nice girls, and Pm rather
fond of them, but they're the pest of my
life at Christmas time. L always want to
give them something, to be fair TO all and
show no favoritism, and get off with as little
expense as the proprieties of the occasion
will permit
s'Now. you see, those conditions make my
task each year hard one. How do L know
what is suitable for girls, anyway! They
live down East in the country under condl-
tions which left SO long ago that have al
most forgotten what they are, and the needs
of a New York girl don't help me bit. I've
always worried through it somehow, but last
Christmas l had a brilliant idea. l found
what was cheap aud at the same time nice,
and what | was sure would please these coun-
try girls and make me quite fairy god
father among them. | intended going back
into the country myself and wanted to make
a good impression as knowing and doing the
proper thing.
"My idea was silver bracelets. You know
them They don't cost much, and are very
good thing if you have them in moderation.
A day or two before my departure from
town l sought out a jewelry store and ex-
amined bracelets. What girl could help
being charmed by silver bracelet? | saw
bright faces smiling, as seven pretty wrists
were held up to show the silver, and am
not certain didn't dream OF seven couslnly
kisses of grateful appreciation. pictured
the proud air with which these girls would
90 to church and join in surprise parties dur
ing the winter; and as l Went on imagining
different coils of silver for those wrists | be-
come entirely convinced that had had the
inspiration Of a lifetime IN the way OF pres
enb giving.
"The chain pattern charmed my fancy,
and picked out seven of them Of slightly
different styles. You know what mean
heayy-link chains, with padlocks and little
KEYS A clerk stood waiting for my order.
| told him to take the seven and put them n
separate boxes. He gathered them up and
smiled on me. The idea of generosity IN the
way of Christmas presents seemed to please
him Before long he came back from the
rear of the store with the bracelets. He had
an Enthusiastically friendly air. Too friendly.
/ hate to have statesmen familiar. He handed
the packages to me, and in his triendliness
forgot his place, and remarked in a conciha
tory fashion. You are going into it whole
sale He seemed to expect an answer.
looked at him What business was it of his.
| wondered what kind of trade they had il
buying seven bracelets was wholesale. 1t
was probably one of those inane jokes that
shopkeepers persist in making. | ignored
his paltry pleasantly and went away with
my gifts.
self in the old Massachusetts, place. and in
due time played the part of Santa Clans tc
the seven blrishing maids, for | didn't see
why / should wait for gratitude to give ms
the full need of proper cousinly salutation,
The seven girls opened their parcels At the
same time, | meantime standing by with an
indifferently patronizing air. Each took out
her bracelet, and then looked to see the
others gifts Then they smiled and all at
once exclaimed But Cousin viii! How
many of us are you engaged toa
'slf | didn't hate to parley with tradesmen
so I'd go and ask that clerk what he really
meant by that fool remark about my making
presents at wholesale. | wonder if he knew
those were engagement braceletsg'-Neac
YORK. Tribune.