The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1901-02-07
A RUM mage Sale.
(By Elizabeth RObinsOn.)

10 nOld a Rummage Sale Is very
popular and successful way of obtaining
money for charitable purposes. If man
aged right, there is very little expense
connected with this special enterprise,
so that nearly all the money taken at
the sale is clear profit.
About week before the sale various
members of the committee go from
house to house and solicit things which
have been cleared from 'fattics and odd
corners. Members having carriages con-
vey all the articles that the donors wish
to send. 1t
A hall or empty building is loaned
without charge, to help along a good
cause. AS the Articles are brought or
sent to the hall they are sorted, and
there are soon as many departments
as in the largest, most "universal' Of
department stores. 81
AS a rule people respond literally to
this solicitation, for nothing is refused,
and it affords a fine chance to dispose of
many things just too good for the wood
pile, piece-bag and bonfire. - 90
People having no real "rummage"
give anything they wish, such as pre-
serves, fruit, plants, canned goods, ETC.
One man, for a recent sale, gave a load
of wood.
A rummage sale is an interesting
sight, the articles on sale ranging from
a huge pile of house blinds to tiny stick
pins. Such heap of hats, trimmed and
untrimmed! Garments of every descrip-
ton; every sort of boot and shoe; pic
lures and worked notices galore, bric-a-
brac by the hundred weight, etc. A
good buggy and harness are given, and
horse, and find him, too.
There is a literature department full
to overlooking, where one can find
long sought for back number of a fav.
orite magazine. Spinning-wh stoves
beds, chairs, tables, all kind of house
furnishings are displayed.
Toys for the children, and fish pond
of suitable rummage for their further
amusement.
Often small lunch room is arranged,
where sandwiches, cake and coffee
(nothing to do with rummage, however)
are served at normal charge, and make
a welcome change from the musty attic
odor of the larger room.
Who buys? Firstly among SO much
there are often found some really good
things, which are readily bought by
friends of those sending such articles to
the sale. Then many poor people gladly
avail themselves of the chance to get, at
very small price, garments and house
furnishings that repairing will make al
most as good as new.
An undertaken brings silk hat that
only needs reblocking to be suitable
for his drivers wear in his gloomy
service.
Everything has been given, SO that
| even a few cents for an article is clear
gain. The private sale continues for
two or three days and evenings, the
stock being daily augmented by gifts
from people who have just begun to
realize what was wanted, and find that
they have something good enough to
send" which they doubted when first
| asked to contribute. I9
Then comes the auction sales, various
auctioneers giving their services, each
for an hour or So These auctions are
very interesting and afford much fun
and much is sold. %
Then, after everything that can be
disposed of by private sale and auction
has gone, the junk dealer, who has been
eagerly awaiting hisi4chance, steps in
and makes a clean sweep of everything
that is left, and though his prices may
be very small, it is cash down that he
pays.
In some towns it has been decided to
hold rummage sale each year for
charity.