The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-14
HE.MORE a LARGE TIE
AND TRIED TOfL|RT WITH
THE Elder CHAPER0N

the throng and were soon within
that remarkable monument OF industry,
the Bon Marche. Not only within 1t, but
perspiring in the effort to purchase
few items which we could have secured
without difficulty in half an hour in San
Francisco. We walked miles in
futile search for the silk counter;
over hills of stockings and shoes
and parasols and lace and brass Jars ana
! books and bed linen; up and down the
| mountainous stairs ornamented with imp
gowns or dummies and silk petticoats OF
all degrees of seductiveness; jostllng
everybody and being jostled, clutchlng at
a clerk or standing in line in vain en-
deavor to call some ones attention. AT
last, after an endless time, giving up IN
despair with half the articles not bought
ana those which have been secured IN
passing not at all conducive to peace OF
mind or purse.
Mrs. Whitehall, however, and Miss Grey
stood awaiting me at our trysting- place,
one on either side of tall English clerk.
'Isn't it dellcious?" said Mrs. Whitehall,
with little gasp, land what ravishing
things! He says"-pointing to the clerk
I'VE will simply have to go downstairs to
the delivery department now and claim
our goods. You see, we've given an ad-
dress on the little book and we want to
have our things sent to the dressmakers.
They must go tonight"
The English clerk bowed himself away,
but Mrs. Whitehall recalled him with a
lovely smile.
Don't desert Us, +" she said. ''Do take
US to the right place, so that we do not
have to fight our way through all these
wild animals"
The English clerk looked at her with
something in his glance that suggested
despair, frenzy and a CLEAN of diabolic
amusement. He then stolidIy pushed his
way in the required direction, turning his
head now and then YEARLY to see if we
followed. He left US in a subterranean
apartment in which great many people
were doing up hundreds of bundles aud
boxes. And we sat there while every
article that had been purchased during
the afternoon was sought for.
The perspiration rolled from the fore
head of the fat porter in blue coat with
gold buttons, who had constituted him
self our mercury. The genius that man
displayed in chasing after the various
had secured to herself on her march of
triumph should have been rewarded by
more than the small tip and the radiant
smile with which he was finally dis
missed.
do you know what time it 2" asked
Miss Grey in "a sepulchral tone. Have
you any idea ?'
IT think it is 1 o'clock tomorrow morn
-. -
felt so tired in my lifel Goodness, it is
nearly Z o'clockP' We looked at each
other as we climbed iuto the open car
riage, and l gave the address in a voice
that was almost inaudible. Then there
was total silence as we drove home, over
the river that was a dazzle with the sum
set, under sky that glowed, up the
streets that were alive with gay people in
carriages and on foot.
eve haven't even seen Napoleon's
tomb" said Miss Grey, as we entered the
pension.
The second day was Sunday; Mrs.
Whitehall had discovered that the Sabbath
was observed in France to some extent,
at least by the shops and the dressmakers.
So we heard chant or two in the Made
leine, and the boys singing at Ste. Eustace.
Mrs. Whitehall remarked that we ought
to have Baedeker, and Miss Grey wished
to know the style of architecture of every
detail of every church we visited, in which
reasonable yearnings We were unable to
crafty her.
At Notre Dame her misery was great.
at is Gothic, isn't it? 1t is Gothic, of
course" my DEAR" said Mrs. White
hat lit is Gothic. Satisfy yourself. Cali
it anything you like. Why should you
care whether it's Gothic! You'll remem-
Der it Just as we'll if it's Moorish-so long
as it's so big, and picturesque and impress
siye. | don't believe in loading your mind
with lot of useless information; you only
want it for your letters, in order to i'm
press people at home. We must buy
Baedeker."
At st. Sulpice the mighty organ filled
the church. 1t was restful and cool under
the great roof, and we forgot for one de-
lightful moment in the enjoyment of the
full-voiced chorus that We were seeing
Paris in week.
In the afternoon there was at least con-
cession made. We went to the Luxem-
bourg gallery and walked through the
rooms, only to be driven out after an hour
driven out to new extravaganza, for
there was nothing further possible in the
way of sightseeing. We were forced to go
to drive in the Bots de Boulogne.
HE TRIP To PARIS.