New-York tribune., 1894-01-07
IT UiS 4 BRILLIANT IDEI
RrT THE Girls IN THE COUNTRY KNTW MORE
AHOT"T BRACELETS THAN HE DID.

EFT THE girls IN THE COUNTRY HNEW MORE
ABOUT BRACELETS THAN HE DID.
"Speakng Of Christmas presents" said the help
less Young bachelor "Ive got seven girl cousins
lust on the edge OF womanhocd. They're very nice
girls and I'm rather fond Of them, but they re 'he
nest OF my life RI Christmas time ! always want
10 give them something to be fair TO all and show
no favortsm and get Of with as little expense az
the proprletles of the occasion VIII permit
Now YOU see those conditions make my task
each year hard one. How do | know what ~
suitable for girls anyway? They live down East
in the country under conditions wnich ieit 80
long ago that I have almost forgotten what they
are, and the needs Of New-forN glrl "oh | he'p
me a biz I've always worried through II some
how but last Christmas | had a brilliant ldea'
found what was cheap and az the same time nice,
and what | was sure would please those country
girls and make quite a fairy godfather among
them. / intended going back into the country N.Y.
self 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 very good thing
If Won have them In moderation \ day two be-
fore my departure from town sought out a jewelry
store examined bracelets. What girl could hep
being charmed by a silver bracelet? | saw bright
faces smiling seven pretty wrists were held up
10 show the silver and not certain | didn't
dream Of seven cousnly kisses Of grateful appreca
girls would go church and join in surprise parties
during the winter; and as went on imagining dh-
coils of silver for those wrists became en-
tirely conVnced that had had The inspiration OK
a lifetime in the way Of present-givng.
The chain pattern charmed my fancy and l
picked of them Of slightly differing styles
You know what / mean--heavy-link chains, with
padlocks and little keys \ clerk stood waiting for
my order. | told him 10 take the seven and put
them in separate boxes. He gathered them up ana
smiled on me- The idea of generosity in the way
of Christmas presents seemed 10 please him. Be
fore long he came back from the rear Of the store
with the bracelets He had unmistakaby
friendly ain Too friendly. 1 hate to have sales
men familiar. He handed the packages TO me and
in his frendness forgot his place and remarked
in a conciliatory fashion. You going into II
wholesale He seemed TO expect an answer
looked him. What business was IL of his?
wondered what kind os trade they had. II buying
Of those nane jokes shopkeepers persist in
making. | ignored his paltry pleasantly and went
away with my gifts.
Well Christmas morning found myself In the
old Massachusetts place and in due time played the
part OF Santa Claus 10 the seven bushing maids.
for didn't why should wait for gratitude to
give me- the full need OF proper cousin!y sautaton
The seven girls opened their parcels at the same
time | meanwhile standing by with an ndinerently
patronizing air. Each took out her bracelet and
then looked to see the others gifts Then they
smile0 and all az once exclaimed: But. Cousin
VIII, How many Of US you engaged TO-?
IF didn't hate TO parey with tradesmen 80 ID
go and ask that clerk what he really meant by that
sale. wonder If he knew those were engagement
bracelets