Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-02-08
PECULIAR SHOPPERS.
The Cranky Old Gentleman ard the Self
ish Lady Are Types.

TIE Cranky Old Gentleman ard the Self
ish Lady Are Types.
1--WE have some queer characters
come here-peoplc who do such odd
things that To tell about them sounds
like exaggeration."
The salesman shut with q snap
the jewel case he held, II smilc of
amusement played about his mouth,
as he reached into the showcase and
set straight row of glittering rings
that had gotten out of order.
"See this brooch?" pointing to a
small gold leaf with vivid, glowing
berries. "We sold one like it to a
middle aged lady who lives not 100
blocks from here and enjoys the
reputation of being wealthy. If
those berries We're rubies, it would
be Il costly brooch; but, being gar
nets, it is worth only $50. Tho day
after the brooch was sent home u
tall. austere looking gentleman came
in and addressed himself to me.
You sold this brooch to my
wife, believe, he said, producing
tho brooch. l told him that was the
case.
I want you to take it back and
refund the money
Is there anything wrong about
it?' inquired.
No, but my wife had no right
to como to an expensive store like
this to buy jewelry. There arc
plenty Of other places she could have
gone to-
II explained that the sale was
made; that the lady had paid for
the article, and that the firm did
not take back goods under such con-
tlitions. He got into passion, ar
gucd the question at some length,
and finally, when convinced that we
would not comply with his demands,
pitched the case ont through the
open door into the middle of the
street and took himself Off"
And did the lady lose her pur.
chaso?'
"No. One of the boys ran out
and picked the case up from under
the very feet OF Il cab horse. We
packed it carefully in new case
and sent it round to her address.
"What do you suppose led the
husband to act like that?'
"Simply orankiness. He is one
of the sort who object to their wives
mailing any disposal of their money
without consulting them. He is
close fsted
"That was q cranky man. Now,
how about this for woman? Two
days before Christmas, just in our
busiest time, when the store was
packed with shoppers, lady came
in and asked to look at novelties, al
so silverware. She was interested
in only the expensive goods, and I
took great pains to show her our
best line. Several people whom I
am accustomed to serve were in the
store during her stay, but let 9TH
ers wait on them and devoted my
time to her.
AFTER inspecting everything and
taking up an hour of the busiest
time of the day she coolly remarked
that she had son who was at pres
emit in tho south on hunting expe-
dition. He expects to be an usher
for wedding in June, she went
OH. I will write him about the arti-
oles have seen, and doubtless when
he comes back he will look in at
them himself
II could hardly believe my own
ears.
lin June, madam I gasped.
Are you looking at these things
now for wedding in June, and all
these people waiting here to get
things for the day after tomorrow
Why, yes, she answered, not
the slightest bit embarrassed. I
thought all your prettiest things
would be On exhibition now, and
that it was good time to get sug-
gestions.
Suggestions for June we'd.
ding, whispered TO one of the men
as my customer swept out to her
carriage, and then the laugh was on
me, because all bTtl expected 10 hear
of an $500 sale, at least Icounted up
and found that had lost just 81, 900
worth of sales while that inconsid-
crate woman was in the store. -
New York Tribune.
The Age and the Thrice-a-week
World for one vaor SJ6c