The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-17
DECkED OUT LIKE A BRIDE.


In pursuance of an, annual custom the
management Of the Bon Marche has IN
augurated in this city a white fair. be-
ing sale at reduced prices of all the
white goods in stock. In carrying out
the plan, the many aisles and departments
have been appropriately decorated with
pillars and arches of muslin, linen and
lace. The salesladies have decorated
themselves in butterfly caps of white, and
spotless aprons, and the men have adopted
the whitest of white ties and are display
ing an unusual regard for the integrity
of their linen. 1t is even limited that when
the fair further progresses the floor man
ayers will come forth some morning in
suits of white duck, and march the main
deck of the Bon Marche like jackies on
parade.
While all that has been done in the
course Of Transforming the Bon Marche
into a model of the color of purity would
seem sufficient to satisfy the most fastidi-
completed and each day this week will
witness, SO the management declares, the
addition Of some new and striking fea-
ture. 1T had been hoped to have the fair
entirely in readiness for the public by
January 2, but the clerks were kept so
busy attending to the daily rush OF bar
gain seekers that the force employed on
the decorations was necessarily reduced.
To artistically drape asles, counters and
tiers of shelves which cover total floor
space of $4,000 square feet, requires time
and the skilled labor of many hands.
The passer-by is attracted first by the
Bon Marche windows, piled high with
white. One in particular is planned in a
manner worthy of more than passing no.
tice. 1t shows everything in under mus
Inns that could be worn by baby, girl, miss
or lady, and number of lfelike wax fig
uree are placed about attired in attractive
lingerie. The window has deservedly at
tracted considerable attention.
Through any one of the three entrances
on Second avenue one is ushered by po-
lite door-boy into the front of the store,
and can look through great arches of
white down long. vistas of white drapery.
embroderies. The store is made up to rep
resent booths in a bazaar, each displaying
some special line of goods. The first ba-
zaar is that devoted to ehinons and taft
fetas, spangle nets, crystal laces. cut
bead collarettes and rich lace jabots.
The main aisle of what is known as the
new store is devoted to. laces, linens, en-
broideries. dimities, mulls,. swisses, table,
cloths, napkins, ETC. Eight tables. with
pillars and awnings of white, are set
down the south aisle, showing muslin lin
gerie; and along the walls are white pill
lars draped between with handsome dress
goods.
In the. drapery department or lace cur
swiss curtains, Irish points, point Dies
prit. handsome raperies--everything, in
fact pertaining to such department, up
to date. Directly in the rear of this Is the
cloak and suit department, roomy place
60 by % feet.
The decorations in the south aisle of the
old store, where are sold notions and odd
BY today it will be covered with three large
arches made of linens and handkerch.efs
The same is true of the. department, run
ming the entire length of the store, where
are sold mems furnishing goods and ladies'
hosiery and underwear. In the footwear
department an element of white is found
in the display of ladies' silk slippers and
fancy footwear in light colors. This de-
partment occupies a space % by ITO feet
at the north end of the old store.
Through the Pike street entrance of the
Bon Marche IS reached the millinery room.
The place is unusually large, 40 by 60 feet,
and filled with airy creations that would
make woman's heart bound with delight
and married man think of last month s
bills. Between the pillars of this room
run trellised arches, white throughout, and
these will be further draped.
A tour of inspection of the store is not
complete without descent to. the lower
floor A Chinese pagoda of towels and nap
kins is at the head of the stairway, and
down into a realm where a maiden reigns
over piano and stand full of music,
old and new Outside her dominion, stretch
ing away on all sides, are piles of crock
cry, glassware, house furnishing goods,