The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-09-21


comes Mr.. Llbby's handsome private
office. Next beyon1 are the offices of the
and advertiser, the sam
pie room for travelling statesmen, and the
delivery room in which the freight ele-
vator is located. At night this great
store will be lighted by combination of
gas, arc and incandescent electric lights.
of which there are several hundred en-
ployed. Midway between the corner en-
frances to the building a room has been
set aside which will be artifioially dark
ened aud used as a show room for even
ing silks and dress goods under the gas
light. The comfort of the employees all
over the store, we may mention in this
place, has been, what is too rarely the
case, completely looked after. for on each
floor every female employe has her own
closet where she can keep her wraps and
other belongings, while 1avatories and
toilet looms of the most approved pat
tern have been placed in the basement
for the male employees and on the second
floor for the women.
The cashiers office has been suspended
from the ceiling between the first and
second floors and the Lamsnn improved
cash wire system is used. There are 81
cash stations on the first floor. The cash
stations on the second floor also connect
with this office SO that every cash sale
made in the building comes to the cash
Ter direct.
Let US take a glance at the depart
ments on the first floor. Commencing at
the entrance. corner of Oak and Congress
streets, on the left is the counter devoted
to umbrellas and parasols, all Of the
most elaborate and fashionable make,
and all prices from the cheap to the most
expensive. Then comes, on the Oak street
side, a long space devoted to rich silks
and velvets that are displayed to great
advantage by the magnificent over head
light. Beyond this department., and run
ming to the corner of Free street, ere the
oolored dress goods of infinite variety and
from every manufacturer Of note. On
the opposite side of the first aisle. at the
lower end Of the store, the counter for
about rs feet is taken up with black
dress goods, and right here we wish to
impress upon our readers that the largest
part of the entire dress goods stock Is
new and never shown before.
Stepping back to the Oak and Congress
street entrance the central round counter
facing the entrance is devoted to ribbons,
ladies' gloves, laces and trimmings, be-
wildering In design, and oolo-. Proceed
;,~ th oil coft IN
the right we come to one of the most
complete and elaborate departments Of
mems furnishing goods to be found east
of Boston. Here is every make of under
wear; shirts, ties, cuffs, collars and
hosiery. Then comes the yarn depart
ment, nearly all of which is devoted to
new goods. Crossing the transept, or
aisle that runs from east to west, is found
the ladies' hosiery counter, followed by
a very extensive department. devoted to
silyerware, jewelry Of the best make land
everything that goes to make up first
class jewelry store) this department. be-
| ing under the charge of MIR. g. B. Gage
SO long with J. A. Merrill & Go. Mr..
Gage also attends to watch cleaning and
repairing.
1 On the left of the aisle az you enter the
front door is counter for the sale Of
toilet articles, hanokerchiefs, soaps, In
fact everything that belongs to notion
department.. Beyond, crossing ths
transept, there will be found the flnesl
stock of Innings and dressmaker's find
ings that can be procured anywhere, and
beyond is row of shelves, extending
some 40 feet. for the dress plaids.
i The western door of Congress street
4 opens on the left upon the great depart
j ment of household linens, table damaskl
whose patterns are remarkably beauti
ful-napkins, towels and white goods
This department reaches half way across
the store to the transept on the sid
Of which will be- found the ladies' me-
rino and jersey underwear. Still beyond
is the first section of the art department.
of which there are three in the store un
J der the charge of Mr.. Algernon 6tubbs
] This section is devoted to pictures ant
frames. On the right of the Congress
, street entrance is the long counter de
j voted to prints and percales. Then Gomez
most extensive array of sheets, sheet
J ings, cotton cloths, and outing fannels
The lower half of the FIRST floor on the
, west side is given up to blankets ami
, there is every kind of weight from tn
ordinary comfortable blanket to tn
, most luxurious, SO thick and yet 30 soft
and light that nothing could be warme
$ or more satisfactory. Besides the blank
, cts there is large display of draperies
lace curtains and kindred stuffs, ant
: close by the elevator is the stationary an
book department. where all the fines
, and most fashionable styles Of note pape
i and all the current literature of the da
e is to lie found.
8 Ascending by stairway or elevator "
i now come to the second floor. Along tn
wall on the left running to Congress
: street is the corset department. embraoin
Il the styles of all the best makers known
Q Opposite the corset counter will be foun
t.r in do,