New-York tribune., 1895-12-15
West 23d St.

their selections ana move. The same pushing ana
crowding that attended her experience at the cap
counter were repeated. but Mrs. Tom kept out OF
the way Of women taller than herself. for she did
not want to invest in another veil or nave her
vanity hurt by beng seen in the plight she Was
before.
Fate finally permitted her 70 put the vaun.sd
handkerchief 10 the test Of touch and close nspec-
ton The linen proved to be cotton, and the reia-
tive price not sufficient compensation for buying
soiled goods Somehow she changed her mind
about getting Katie haadkerchiefs Mrs. Tyr
rel gloves Maybe Katie would Ike print dress
better and. now came to think OF H. why not
get a book for Cousin Acs2 \ devotional book;
one OF the kind with Little text or verse for
each day. bound IN white and gold She would ks
that: or an umbrella. Why wouldn't an umbrella
a real nice one-do for her? She did SO much
church visiting in all sorts of weather and then
Mother Atwood could hsvo the devotional book
And why wouldn't book of adventure do for
Tommy? Sea tales, or life in India or something
Of that sort and this a good pace to get IT,
Mrs Tom remembered reading just the ot1er cay
in the paper that very few people bought BOOKS
at the real book stores now. because the larger
drygoods stores sold them 50 cheap; but sne Wouid
Just look az those umbrellas in the corner She
wished she had asked her husband what he thought
Of an umbrella for Cousin Ace-Tom thought 40
much OF Cousin Alice account OF her devotion
to Jessie when she had that spell Of fever Tom
would want her to have something nice. 1t VIII be
seen that all ideas OF concentrating her thoughts on
Jessie. of working methodically and getting one
rame off her lst before she tackled another mad
deserted Mrs Tom. and she had set SAL on shore
less SCI Of conjecture.
Recoliect!ng however thar time was flying. she
hastened to inspect the neatly stacked and labelled
umbrellas In their little circular stand on the coun-
Those OF quality and price that suited her
had very ordinary handles, and those with hand
some handles we're not otherwise desirable. She
oil lfpff he
o get Cousin Alice a handsome cup and saucer or
q pretty picture People were always gN.ng o!d
together in the practical. she did not what
had possessed her 70 think OF an um9reIa i0t INA,
already Everybody had. There would be Just as
much sense in giving her waterproof or hanne.
petticoat, or something Of that kind And she had
been So kind during Jessies spell Of fever cup
be Just the thing for her. Mrs Tom decided ID
take the elevator again anu look az the books That
idea Of a devotional book for Mother Atwood was
the very thing. and then some time Jessie could
pain, bookmark for the OLD lady That wouii
please her. and, besides. Mother Atwood mad int
mated more thsn once sey & hat Jsse Tas 9es
book for Toms mother. and. what FOR his sister!
Airs Tom was so absorbed in speculation that she
time IN consequence: bu, then il wasn't really lost
time. IL necessary she reflected. that She
purchase for each. Then IL would be palmer sal
were provided ior win the cup and saucer. the de-
votonal book and the silk waist II was true the
enough 20 get them when ones mind rlade up.
she pulled out her list and jorted down her three
decisions against the names
When you are going to give present Mrs Tom
said 20 herself the first thing is 10 consult the taste
sister was inclined to be literary So Why would not
q paper-knife or a bIotter do for her. or pen. a
remembered that Jessie had no nice pen. Why not
Miss Atwood some fine statonerS? Jessie T would
Ike pen better and silk waist anything 10 wear.
she scratched out the word waist and substituted
pen against Jessie's name. and felt herself a trae
But now another dilemma presented itself. The
very devotional book that took her fancy reminded
Atwoods workabe She Was glad sSe Si on MSene
IN time Mother Atwood ana her daughter We're
inclined 20 be critical. and they would have been
sure sure to comment on her lack OF observation if she
hand trying to think OF another gift for her mother
in-law. She must decide quickly; she told herself.
past luncheon-time. rose jar pin tray hair
pin receiver, tippet for the shoulder. ell marched
second She repudsted them ali and turned to
look for Tommy's book
women betokened no interest in the matter AsceT-
tanning that i was past , o'clock and rejecting
now. she decided to think OF something else for him
ana turned away 70 seek restaurant with the half
formed intention OF buying Jessie volume OF Mira
BTownng's poems. instead Of the pen:
j was weary. DISCOURAGED beirasglsd little
woman who took her way uptown that evening
armed with cake OF violet soap and a feeding
afternoon in search OF bargains ideas and lnsp.ra
tsons. and was no nearer accompi shlng what she
had set out to do than when she left home that
morning. Her temper was rufiied. 100 and when
Mrs Tom lost her eQuan.m-ty Z was not without
provocatOn. She made MIR. Tom give her his rs.
lucant opinions about blsque figures and rosehowls
umbrellas and devotional books. viewed IN the light
az presents, and when. having helpful advice TO
offer he took refuge In his evening paper. she wen
TO sleep and dreamed OF Jessie hrst with silk
waist. then alternately with slippers a manicure
set and a copy OF Browning.
The next day found her in the thick OF IL all
again. and she had Tommy out with her In tho
afternoon 10 choose present for his Sunday school
teacher When they were last seen a particular
shade OF violet note paper which his mother thought
was too deep and which Tommy thought would DO
~ well as not seemed likely 10 involve them In dif-
ncul,y. Tommy being anxious to take anything aud
escape and Mrs. Tom being equally anxious 10 get
the worth OF her money.
Wha, the Stacks viii get for Christmas or Mr.
, Toms mother or Cousin Alice. IL yet a matter os
speculation but Mrs Tom believes that she VIII
conquer in the end and starts out each morning
bright and fresh. though she conhdes to her huss
band at night her opinion that IL Is a good thinR
that Christmas comes but once year,