New-York tribune., 1895-12-15


wear patent leather" young woman had said TO
her few evenings before and she had so dllated on
the beauties y these slippers that the Christmas
shopper directed her steps to Ks. thinking a pair
would be good present for Jessie her s:xteen-year-
old daughter
There were good many names on Mrs. Tom ;
list but Jessie and Tommy, the Oldest two children
were uppermost in her mind.
The crowd was thick at Ks. The benches were
lined with shoppers with their feet extended for fits
Contrving 70 deta a clerk for a second, as he was
returning with another size 20 the woman he was
waiting on Mrs Tom ascer-ained that the price OF
the slIppers was s. She thought OF the sum she
had 70 invest and the number It would have 10 be
divided by to make it round, and decided to re-
Iinqush the idea Of slippers though the little Gin
dereralike affairs with their dainty French heels
we're a great temptation. manicure set might DO
instead she thought. and directed her steps 10 a
certain large establishment where she would be
likely TO do well in that line; but this GIT 100
proved to he out Of her reach
Well while she vas in among the pretty things
she would select something for the Stacks. and nave
them off her mind. OF any rate. The Stacks and the
Atwoods had made their bridal trip together years
before. and had exchanged Christmas gifts ever
since The Stacks were now far better OF IN
worldly goods and for that very reason Mrs Tom
was anxious to make them particularly nice pres
ent presumably bearing in mind the Scriptural say
ing regarding such matters.
Those bisaue figures were pretty. Mrs. Tom did
not remember seeing any just like them az her
friends She had carefully inspected the assort-
ment of da1cing girs. piping shepherds. fauns,
flower girls Druids and the ike when she suddenly
remembered that at u.s. two blocks away. she
might be able 10 procure the same article FOR less
money. Away she tore 70 rs. on her way 10 the
elevator p,acard announcing bargains in boys
caps arrested her attention. Here was good
chance to GET cap for little Fred. She paused on
the outer edge Of throng OF eager shoppers.
anxious 20 secure caps for their own little Freds'
or Franks or Jcos, and waited her chance 10 sip
within the charmed circ.e
Other women a,so appreciative of bargains. came
up and stood behind her Those Immediately in
front were OF large stature. and for awhile Mrs.
Tom had nothing in view but the seams up the
backs OF their coats Finally she managed TO squeeze
in between two stout women who had select ad
caps and were waiting for their change. Planting
herself in front Of the she pulled over the
caps within reach in search OF little Freds size.
Then she asked the saeswoman nearest her II that
size was in stock
In a few minutes" replied the gir. struggling
10 serve two customers at once and count the
change for a third.
There was nothing for it but to wait. In reaching
over TO get hold Of a cap tail woman standing
behind gave Mrs. Toms hat nudge that nearly
pulled her hair down. besides jabbng the sharp
hatpin into her head. She looked around much an
noyed. but the tall woman was obl.vious OF her
grievance. and that seconds lnattenuon lost her
the chance OF being waited
she stralghtened her hat best she could, recol-
Letting dlsmally that she had fake bangs at that
particular time, and that they We're more than apt
to be all awry. II she ever got out Of that crowd
she would 90 to the dressing-room aad nix them.
After three four more women taller than herself
had reached over nvoluntarily punching her hat,
than which there can be nothing more eXisperatng,
she finally managed 10 secure a saesman's atten-
40, arflI ~t,a1 fbQr Ia. D. of .
wanted had just been sold
Pushing her way through the throng behind
her after some delay in getting % the elevator she
reached the dressing-room, where after an in
terval she had chance OF viewing herself IN the
mirror She looked decidedly the worse for wear.
Her bangs were all on one side and there was a
mortifying in her veil just in front of her left
eye. Pressed for time she was she had 10 take
off her gloves and tx that veil.
Excuse me. but your dress Is torn. announced
a voice behind her. she trying TO arrange the
square # net so as 20 conceal the damage Thank
Ing her informer and STOPPING to investigate she
found that quarter OF yard Of houncing had
been ripped off the foundation of her skirt Had
Mrs Tom been OF the ruder sex she misht just
then have uttered an mprecaton more emphatic
than elegant but. being merely an amabie. phil
osophc little woman. she made a pill ,rmase TO the
smali-ware department for pins to adjust the
ruffilng and the yelling department for a new
veil. and quietly continued her shopp.ng
A counter full OF gstening silk suggested that
an evening waist OF silk chiffon would be good
present for Jessie, for, while contemplating the
seams In her neighbors' backs as she waited to en-
list in the cap crusade she had decided 10 get some
thing more unique and original than bisque figures
for the Stacks. The quality OF the gay-coored rem
nants proved inferior and she remembered hearing
what lovely line OF silks Il. had 80 cents. all
in waist lengths. too. rs where she ought 10
go OF course there use buying anything In
ferior that would have much wear to it as a
waist.
Passing out OF the store really proud of herselg
for working methodicaly and concentrating her
mind on Jesses present. instead OF lettering look
al the pretty things. Mrs. Tom read a legend tina
made her stand st and ponder: Damaged hand
kerchefs all linen; hand-embroldered, and sold a
a sacrifice" She must have look at them Why
not get some for the children and for Katie. the
servant? Mrs. Tyrrell. the laundress would &c
them up beautifully. and she could get warm
gloves for Mrs. Tyrrell. that would M her
loosely and comfortably This just as good a
store 10 buy such things at as any. She advanced
near the handkerchief counter a she could and
waited for some of the women who dlgg nS
ever the endless pile Of lawn squares 70 make