The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

Indian relics tools, clothes, hats and caps,
boots and shoes. even chairs and tables.
Whatever my wife misses, she says L just
know you gave that TO Jake and | retort
in kind We have had to buy lot of things,
so we could go on living. However, it's ali
right. Jake must be happier, for We haven't
seen him since; and as I've said, what are
we here for if not to swap rubtish?'
Some of the most curious and interesting
phases of city life found in the small
vendors in articles of human need or lux
ury who make satisfac-
The Per- tory profits by occupying
fume Lady. meagre space I'm this big
commercial world. Among
these sidewalk-merchants one of the most
unique is the perfume lady and a lady she
Is, in appearance and courtesy Just in
side of a stairway, which ascends to the
upper floors of a big building she may be
found. Her stock in trade consists of small
and large bottles of perfume, arranged on
shelves affixed to the limited wall space
at the right of her and to the left of her.
The shelves are curved, as the stairway
walls curve towards the entrance In
good weather the double glass doors are
open: In bad weather the perfume lady
closes and stands behind them, stepping out
keeping out Of the way of people who pass
Just often enough to keep the passing pub
lie aware of her existence. Her shop fix
lures are modest; consisting of very
small wooden stool, rug. and a tiny coal
oil stove. She is fairly young bright and
polite eager in her business and nimbe in
up and dowh the stairs. in and out of the
glass doors. Small sample bottles of her
perfumes-viClet, rose, wild-grape bios
som, jasmine and what not-she sells for
10 cents. and these little walls. tied with
bright ribbons, hang in a pretty fiat Indian
basket on the wall More money comes i'm,
the perfume lady says for the 10-cent bot
ties than for the. ounce bottles of sweet
odor. Not much is done in the wholesale
way, and the drug shops do not interfere
with her trade She catches the custom of
people along the street who are Interested
IN her unique little stairway shop: also that
of people who go up and down the stair
way. The young men from all the offices
Children, also, are faithful 10-cent Gus
toners of the odd little shop. The per-
fume lady pays SIS a month rent for this
tiny space in the heart of a big city, and
makes a good living from her profits.
Il like it better than anything else" says
the perfume lady. II see so many people
and don't have time to get the blues Once
| sold out and went away for three months
but l couldn't stand it, and had to come
back again"
AS the time draws near the Christmas
festival. what is called the holiday spirit,
pervades all commerce "A nvlier ether
and a brisker air" en-
Christmas on velop and glorify even
the Sidewalk. the humblest offices of
great, glorious. every
day life. Along the sidewalks where the
commission houses daily distribute fruits
and vegetables TO the grocery wagons, all
is picturesque and fragrant with the CON-
ing of delightful and joyous Christmas
Although the air is crisp, and doubtless
bites through the mufllers and the big
gloves OF the men and boys who help to
keep the big tide Of human food flowing