The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-08-16
The Home.
- SprWASe ~
Woman's Department. .
BUYS A BELT
Mrs. DobIey Instructs Her .Hus-
band to Do Some Shop
ping for Her.
But a Man Always Has Trouble
Buying Articles for
Feminine Wear.

Mr.. Dobiey was at his ONCE when he re-
ceiyed this telegram:
Please stop in at Sellemthing's on your
way nome ana BUY me a belt: waist meas
ure 81. -.. HONORA"
That meant that Mrs. Dobley wanted q
belt In a great hurry, and as they were
starting for out of town by an early morn
ing train Mr.. Dobley supposed that 1t was
10 wear with travelling dress. He hated
TO snop, but 1t was understood that when a
case of necessity arose he was willing to
sacrifice himself So he kept the message
and stopped off at Sellemthing's half an
hour before closing time. He wondered II
belts came under the head of notions or
1eweiry. but wishing to be quite sure. he
asked floor walker, who said belts were
in the basement.
Mr.. Dobley went down in the elevator
wondering much and asked another man
about belts. The man mopped his brow,
for 1t was warm afternoon. and repeated
namely. almost idiotically:
"Belts?"
Belts" said Mr.. Dobley. belts for the
waist
Not on this aoor.' said the man re-
proachfully.
They said upstairs they were on this
floor" said Dobley savagely. He hated be-
Ing sent on wild goose chase about q
dry goods shop, and sometimes 1t seemed
as though 1t were a sort Of game that the
salespeople played on customers, especially
We only have athletic belts and SWIM
ming belts on this floor" said the floor
walker.
Then what are you talking about?"
asked Dobley. Where are they?'
The hOorwalker designated the direction
that led to the athletic goods. and Dobley
proceeded, although he knew quite we'll
that he would not ind the belt Mrs. Dob
ley wished for among them. But he wanted
to teach the 1oorwalker a lesson in polite
n q
II wish to see some of your newest de-
signs In athletic belts
Yes, sir; what size?"
Twenty one inches" said Mr.. Dobley.
I'VE have nothing as small as that" said
the clerk. You'll find those in the chill
drens department."
Your system here" said Dobley, lis as
complicated as the reference department of
the Knowitall dictionary
He strobe upstairs and wandered among
the aisles like a lost soul. looking for belts.
Seeing some things depending from line
with buckles on them he approached 1auntily
and said to the young woman in charge:
Let me see some Of these in your very
latest designs. please"
The very latest have gun metal and
Rhinestone buckles" said the young lady.
This has a horse shoe on one and deur
de LIS on the other. Eight dollars a pair"
"A pair! exclaimed Mr.. Dobley. do
you sell ''em by the pair?'
.
Il only wanted one" said Dobley; Given
ty-one Inches -
How many inches?" asked the young
lady in a frightened tone.
Twenty said Dobley, waist meas
ure."
1.-The waist measure doesn't matter" said
the young woman.
"Doesn't?" asked Dobley, 81 should think
the waist measure would matter consid-
erably in bc;-
re
an They are stocking supporters
ooh" said Dobley. Il thought"
"Cawsh.' said the young lady, turning
her back deliberately on Dobley.
Mr.. Dobley turned away crestfallen. It
now only lacked Is minutes of and he
knew what to expect In the way of atten-
ton from the clerks at that hour. He
saw a pleasant faced young woman stand
ing by a counter full of hats and he ap-
preached her.
can find belts for sale?"
II cannot" she said calmly.
would you be good enough to find out?"
asked Dobley in desperation.
II would not" she said haughtily.
"And why not may l ask" said Dob
Because 1 don't choose to-" said the
young woman, land I think you are i'm
pertinent"
Just then a salesman came up and hand
her head handed him payment for. and left.
after look OF scOrn at Dobley who per-
ceived that he had been addressing a GUS
toner instead OF a saleswoman.
Belts! Belts!" he said hcarsely, clutchins
the clerks hand.
What kind of BELTS" asked the clerk in
surprise.
Mot championship belt" said Dobley
feebly. NOR a swimming belt. nor an ath-
letic belt. nor an electric belt, but 5clt-
.s,;~ Lolk sv4h 1caA1 vrn0
to them
The man pointed to counter across the
room, where two girls we're busting things
and putting them away. They paid no
attention to Mr.. Dobley. but carried on an
interesting conversation.
I'm goin to Geneva lake on my vaca-
tion," said one Of the girls. 1--WE have
the most elegant times. and two gentlemen
friends of mine are going. The bathing s
splendid. We're goin' to stop at the On
the-Lake hotel, So a week and ice cream
Sundays and Wednesdays It's the best
place at the lake, and we always
please show me some belts" said Mr..
Dobley.
"Belts?" said the girl.
Belts" said Dobley. ladies belts-21
inches
why didn't he wait till we were closed
up?" said the other girl, addressing space.
What price belts?" asked the sales
woman.
Wnat price nave you gOt! asked OOD-
ley:
the girl.
well. let me see some of them" said
Dobley. How can I tell what l want till
see them?"
He can't tell them" said the other girl.
again addressing space. Hes q shopper.
They always come in at 6 on q hot day"
Here are some of the newest belts" said
the young woman. This gold braid with a
real turquoise buckle. They are . dollar an
inch and the buckle comes extra.I
isn't that rather high?': said Dobley.
mot for gold BELTS" said the girl.
Il think my wife would prefer q palmer
sort of belt" he said.
"f1is wife!" said the space talker, sarcas-
tically.
There is no call for plain BELTS" said the
girl. showing the tray away in the case.
what time IL 1t. Mame?'
Ten minutes to six" said the other girl
II should think folks would know better
than to come at such time
Perhaps you. would like to look at g. cent
belts?" suggested tn girl who was supposed
to be waiting on Mr.. Dobley. :
perhaps would.Y said DOeley, Just
let me see them"
They're good for a cheap belt" said the
gira. rs she slammed one Of them on. the
counter. ''Of course some people expsct to
get sterling silver and double faced satin for
s. cents" -.
Haven't you anything between these and
the real gold?' asked Dobley. anxiously.
We have hundreds Of different styles Of
Deits," said the young woman but can't
snow you the whole stock unless you give
me an idea of what kind you want How