The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-08-23
DOBLEY'S SHOPPING.
Mr.. DOBLEY was at his office when he

lhelt in a great hurry, and as they were
starting for out of town by an early morn
inc train Mr.. Dobley supposed that it was
,to wear with travelling dress. He hated
ito shop, but it was understood that when
a case of necessity arose he was willing to
lsocrfce himself. SO he kept the message
and stopped off at Sellemthing's half an
Ibour before closing time. lie wondered il
Ibdts came under the head of notions or
liewelry, but, wishing to be quite sure, he
asked a hoorwalker, who said belts were
lin the basement
Mr.. Dobley went down in the elevator,
wandering much, and asked another man
about belts. This man mopped his brow,
for il was warm afternoon, and repeated
namely, almost idiotically:
"Bets? Not on this hoor," said the man.
reproachfully.
They said upstairs they were on this
laoor," said Dobey savagely He hated be-
ing sent on wild-goose chase about a dry
Goods shop, and sometimes it seemed as
though it were a sort of game that the sales
people played on customers, especially when
IN was nearly time to close
1--WE only have athletic belts and swim
ming belts on this floor said the floor
walker.
Then what are you talking about?" asked
Dob,ey. where are they
The foorwalker designated the direction
that led to the athletic goods, and Dobley
proceeded, although he knew quite well
that he would not find the belt Mrs. Dob
Iicy wished for among them. But he wanted
TO teach the hoorwalker a lesson in polite
ness
After pretending to buy. he strobe up
stairs and wandered among the aisles like
lost soul. looking for belts. Seeing some
things depending from line with buckles
on them, he approached iauntily, and said
10 the Young woman in charge:
LET me see some of those in your very
latest designs. please?"
"The very latest have gun-metal and
rhinestone buckles said the young lady
''This has horseshoe on one and feur.de
lis on the other. Eight dollars pair"
"A pairy exclaimed Mr.. Dobley. "Do
YOU sell em by the pair?"
! Usually" said the young lady. haugh
ltly.
II only wanted one" said Dobley, "2l
inches"
"How many inches?" asked the youno
lady. in a frightened tone.
"Twenty.one," said Dobley, waist meas
ure"
The waist measure doesn't matter" said
the young woman.
"Ooesn't?" said Dobley. az should
think the waist measure would matter con.
,iderably in a belt"
"These aren't belts" said the Young
> woman: "tbey are stocking supporters."
oh" said Dobley, 81 thought"
"Cawshl" said the young lady, turning
"a
Mr.. Dobley turned away crestfallen. II
lpow only lacked 10 minutes of six. and he
knew what to expect in the way of atten.
ton from the clerks at that hour, He
saw pleasant tfaced young woman stand
ing by counter full of hats, and he ap
preached her.
Can you inform me-" he said, where !
can find belts for sale?"
81 cannot" she said, calmly.
Would YOU be good enough to find out"
asked Dobiey, in desperation.
81 would not" she said haughtily.
"And why not, may ask" said Dobley,
Because l don't choose to-" said the
young woman, "and / think you are i'm.
PERTINENT"
just then a salesman came up and hand.
ed the lady hat which she pinned on her
HtdN, udnuCQ MIN lOT, anu ltlt
after look of scorn at Dobley, who per.
ceyed that he had been addressing q Gus
toner instead of saleswoman.
Belts! Beltsl" he said, hoarsely, clutch
ing the clerks hand.
What hind of helt.p ?" a,lked the clerk
in surprise.
Not championship belt" said Dobley,
feebly; nor a swimming belt, nor an ath.
etic belt, nor an electric belt. but a belt
a feminine belt-2l inches. Please lead me
to them"
The man nointed 70 n counter across the
room WHERE two Girls were dustinc thing,
and putting them away, They paid no at
tention to Mr. Dohlay but carried on an
Interesting conversation
Please show me some baIts " said Mr.
Dobley.
What nrioo boIts9v osl.d tho soles.
woman,
How can ,e,l What T wort ill 7 seq
them?o said DobIev
"He can't taIi tben y said tba other Girl
again ,JJrosS;r,, -, .SJa;a sborrar
"They aIwovs 90 - i" a. civ ON a hot dav ="
Here are soma Of tba newest hats " said
the voung xo,nan STb;s roIJ had with
a real trrouo;sa brcL,a Thev are n dollar
'"ipuoise puchIe' ihey are upi'"'