New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-20
"RIBBONS At TWELVE CENTS
AN EVERYDAY SCENE IN A BIG SHOP.

AN EVERYDAY SCENE IN A BIG SHOP.
Come here and speak to me. don't want 70
cave my place because I've been waiting a whole
age to get it," The speaker was one OF mob OF
women congregated about counter IN one OF tha
big shops.
Especial sale" was pacarded conspicuousiy above
the heads OF the crowd but the goods to be sacri-
feed we're hidden by the throng Of shoppers Qour
deep in line) surrounding the counter.
"rve been here over hour" said one of the
women 20 an acquaintance as she squeezed her way
through the crowd OF customers, holding her pur-
chase high above their shoulders and edgng her
way out. Her bonnet was awry her hair dshev-
elled, her face flushed and her general appearance
the for wear; but In her eye was CLEAN OF
triumph. After long and arduous contest she had
length prevailed and had come out successfully
from the scrimmage.
What is It they are selling?" asked an interested
observer OF one OF the patient walters on the outer
edge OF the crowd.
ribbons 70 cents a yard" was the reply.
"And all silk" put in bystander.
wide too. Beautiful ribbons" volunteered
third woman. The excitement Of this special sa-s
seemed TO promote a feeling OF sociablity among
those who entered the lists.
After time by dint Of pushing. squeezing and
taking advantage of every inch OF ground gained. q
glimpse OF the inner circle obtained. The coun-
ter was piled with yards OF ribbon OF all shades.
widths and kinds A gorgeous orange-colored MORE
piece almost wide enough for sash. was wrapped
and twisted and mixed up with a satin streamer OF
vivid scarlet Blue, green pink violet. pl-p.e.
NAIVE bronze ribbons heaped together in APP
parently hopeless confusion. and upon one devoted
salesgrl devolved the task OF getting order out OF
chaos and satisfying the demands OF dozen
toners at once.
81 want to change this brc gros grain. II -
spotted in the middle" says horid-faced woman.
ob,ruding her purchase directly in the face OF the
saesgirl; ard before that long-surerng servitor
renear for the tenth time that goods bought
that counter are exchanged. a demure-!ooklng per-
sonage on the other side orders ten yards OF the
yellow MORE Each woman clutches the particular
ribbon that has taken her fancy and enieavors by
means OF signs and beckonngs verbal invocations
and a the arts or which she Is mistress 10 induco
the salesgir to serve her
This violet piece. please" one shopper pleads.
flirting the s.ken streamer impatienty IN the vain
effort TO attract attention II want twelve yards OF
navy b.ue another demands, choosing TO ignore thu
fact that the girl has only one pair OF hands and Is
already on the verge OF distraction
Walt on me next. do. I've BEEN begins .
third but her voice is drowned by the stern. nasal
tones OF woman great in girth and tai in stature.
who wins the day by sheer force OF energetic rude
ness The salesgirl seems to have solved the prob
lem OF perpetual. motion. Hands, arms, fingers
never for one instant talter In the wearisome task
OF measuring and cutting OF, adding up and Jotring
"check and the like. Sae is strung up TO a high
degree OF nervous tension, and answers question
after question with unvarying patience; meanwhile
shutting notes and with sharp click into ths
bobbn-ke conrivance that shoots up 10 the cashier
The on:ooker wonders at the iatisue OF body and
agra ton OF mind, the uadiSntei elbowing claw
ing and pushing that 90 on n ofGeF 20 OBTAIN the
requisite number OF yards OF that desirable riobon
And what is true OF ribbon on these bright autunnal
DAYS : true OF silk remnants dress patterns goves
handkerchlefs. hosiery or underwear Any article
with torchou lace" will cause women undergo
hours OF fatigue to secure samp.e