Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-22

that I ever saw for $3.50" exclaimed a
young matron who was dragging her re-
luctant-looking and weary appearing nus
band through the shops. And I'm just
going to get it for your present. too. SO
there, now!'
Her husband looked unimpressed.
What's the use of blowing in so much
on blanket like that?' he inquired. Il
saw some swell briar pipes up the street
for two bits. and then there was that pair
Of crocheted suspenders- ina -box-pink cro-
cheting. and real tasty. y'know-for half a
dollar. What's the matter with that kind
o junk for me?"
But you are not blowing anything, as
you say in that horrid slang" his wife re-
piled. I'm buying your present. you
know"
''Oh. yes" he replied. the light coming
into his eyes. Il forgot. All right. Here 5
the money
The conversation of husband of a large.
ample nature and his decidedly non-grasp-
ing little wife was overheard outside
ore of the big store windows the other
evening.
IF He Were Only Rich.
"Tell you what I'd stake you to in the
line of Christmas presents. sis. IL l wasnt
Just hoodoo salary-earner. and If had
the coin to toss at the fiillilloo BIRDS" he
said to her. First, that $3.50 embroidered
cream-colored opera cape that We saw
down the street-you'd look like a six time
winner in it; and that large-ray diamond
sunourst that we were looking at, and a
pup-seaiSkin sacque. and an emerald ring,
surrounded by white stones as big as one
OF pair of brass knucks. and a set or
Russian sableS, made for the dowager en-
press by mistake: and little white mar
Bile chateau up on the st. Lawrence river.
and"
oh. wake up, Jack" broke In the little
woman, cheerfully. You know that all L
want is that little round rhinestone-sur
rounded clock that 1 was pointing out to
you"
'Well, l guess can dream on. can't IT,
he said with grin.
But don't you suppose L know perfectly
well that you'd get me all of those other
things If you could. and If I'd let your
she asked him, and they passed on. playing
their childish but agreeable game of choos-
ings.
The methodicaI, dead-in-earnest man who
makes speciality of sending one sort OF
present to all of his male and female rela-
tives and friends has been seen around the
shops in considerable numbers, practically
buying his selections by the dozen. One OF
them almost cleaned out the stock of sig
net stickpinS in one store, and then he went
to the women's glove counter and proceeded
to keep 4 Saleswoman busy for the better
part of an hour while he picked out the
styles and sizes of gloves that he had care
fully tabled in his memorandum book.
A rough-looking chap walked into one OF
the big silverSmith'S few afternoons ago
and stood behind a party of women who
We're examining a splendid silver set con-
sisting of a cream pitcher, sugar bowl and
spoon holder
'Of course" said one of the women to
the salesman. lit is a lovely set. but 800
seems such dreadful price for 1t, don't
you think? L certainly can not afford it.
Had Beaten the Races.
Then the woman happened to look behind
her. and she noticed the rough-looking man.
She regarded him with visible suspicion,
clutched her ample-looking purse tighter
in her hand and exchanged glances with her
women friends as If to warn them to be-
ware of having their pocketbooks snatched.
and then moved somewhat further along
the counter.
The rough-looking chap beckoned to the
clerk, who also had a somewhat suspicious
eye in his head, and asked. pointing TO the
case containing the silver cream pitcher
sugar bowl and spoon holder:
.sWhatchoo coping out FIR TIL outfit, boz
Hundred" briefly replied the clerk, start
ing to put the things away in their case.
rs that all?" replied the rough-looking
citizen. well, that's like findin' 'em in tn
ash-barrel Wrap 'em up. will you? That's
tn kin O. junk that'll jes' about make
hit wit me OF mother, hey, pail!
The surprised salesman nodded pleas
antly then and the rough-looking customer
pulled out a bundle of yellow bills of the
size of a bunch of late fall asparagus and
calmly shredded two fifties from 1t. The
clerks eye stuck out a bit at this
Coming some easy. eh?" said the clerk
to the rough-looking chap.
9TH Benning ponies sure handled me a
hull lot white this year., replied the rough-
looking chap, tucking the wrapped casefui
of silver under his arm, and then the sales
man called the other clerks to take look
at the back Of the only individual In WASH
ington who had beat the Benning meeting.
At the Christmas card counter of one OF
the big department stores young chap.
not particularly well-dressed, inquired the
price of a very ornately-designed and col
ored Christmas-card souvenir in fancy
box He was told by the saleswoman that
its price was So. and he calmly dug up the
amount and carried the thing away with
him At the same counter woman In a
splendid seal coat and with diamond rings
galore was buying an assortment OF tiny
Christmas cards that cost just three cents
apiece.