River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-09
FIRST SALES
Superstitious Notion That Is Enter
tanned by Girls Behind
the Counter.

''Have a good day." asked the tall,
smart-looking girl in the black tailor
gown of her tired-looking companion,
as they sank into the seats which the
passengers who got out at the Eigh-
tenth street station had just vacated,
relates the New York Mail
''No, awful. Worst checks this week"
replied the other with pathetic droop
of the mouth. 81 might as well quit
Saturday night and take UP stenogra-
ply. l don't think was cut out for the
ribbon counter or any other counter
either. I was just as bad Monday when
they put me in reduced gloves"
Nonsense, you're just blue and tired
tonight. That's all. know what that
is. What did your book come to, any
way?"
The little girl named sum so low
that her tall friend and mentor looked
as if she would like to whistle. But her
feelings found vent instead, in the ex-
pressive monosyllable "Fierce!"
Then, after a moments reflection, she
said, as if the idea had just struck her:
Maybe you started the day with a
hoodOo. Do you remember your first
customer"
eyes, l guess I do. She had nearly
every piece of ribbon out of the case,
and then she picked up a remnant from
the Decent basket after all. The check
was three and three-eighths taffeta, G.
o. D."
well, should say yes. It's a won
der you came out as we'll as you did, A
remnant is bad luck for the first check,
and G. o. d. is even worse. You want to
start in with a cash sale, if it isn't but
ten cents. Then you can take all the G.
o. DIS you like and even credit checks.
They don't make bit of difference aft
erward. nor remnants either, but cut
your first sale off the piece if you expect
to have any kind of a book If you'd
asked any of the girls who had made a
cash sale they'd have taken your G. o.
d. customer in minute
81 didn't know" began the other.
"Of course you didn't. I didn't either
when | started. Ia sell out of boxes on
my left-hand side, and write with my
pencil after I dropped it without turn
ing it around three times I'd slip my
thumb in scissors first, instead of my
finger, and many's the time I've handed
the customer her change before I did
her parcel"
Mustn't your" inquired the other,
wonderingly.
mo, of course not. And you mustn't
have black or dark things for your firsts
sale either if you can help it. That's
another hoodoo. Any of the bright
colors or white, and, if possible, to a
young person. That's good luck. A
middle-aged woman is all right, if She
not short and stout, but man is the best
of all. Start your day with him and your
book will be wonder. An errand girl
from one of the swell dressmakers is
good luck and so is messenger boy.
You can give either one Of them samples
without hurting the rest of your day.
But be sure to fold the goods over before
you cut them for anybody else. If you
don't they come back after the goods are
all sold and raise fuss.
eff you get customer with a bunch
of violets pinned on her you're all right,
but if she carries them in her hand and
lays them down on your showcase don't
touch them You won't get a check
that's worth while writing down the rest
of the day
''Just the same with opera-glass bags.
Keep as far away from them as you can.
But a muff is all right, especially if it is
ermine or mink. When your customer
isn't looking just run the back of your
hand over it twice and you'll have
splendid checks all that day and be mar
ried before the end of the year"
well, of all things" The tired look
left the face of the little girl and she
began to sit up and take notice with re-
newed interest
That's fact. | know it to come true.
You remember Agnes Carleton that used
to be in the silverwear and manicure
sets. Well, she tried it, and she's got the
loveliest husband and The cutest little
fiat you ever saw, elevator and all. And
he gave her sunburst with four pearls
in it for her Christmas this year. And
they go to the theater every Monday.
He's got friend that knows one of the
press agents"
20, dear, | hope it will be good and
cold tomorrow so they'll all be out with
their furs," and then they adjusted their
wells at the little glass and made their
way to the door, so as to be in time for
the stop at the next station.