The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-05

asked for another article-receivins an other stony stare. And so It went 'i.i could have fallen on the necks of the occasional kindly souls who had not lost sight of the fact that the errant shopper, through perhaps an inconvenience, IS stlii a human being. A little Irish girl with a crooked smile was like an oasis Tn desert and another woman, really wiling to show her stock and help me compare different materials, seemed rescue after the battle of life.
 Wa are all well aware of the other side of the story-the long hours and small pay. But sometimes the plea of the patient purchaser. must be heard in the lana, Joined also by the wall Of some or the business women in charge of establish ments who want manners and can't get them.
 Last week I had occasion to go to Tiff fany's new building on Fifth avenue to order piece of bronze for western ac- ouaintance. The salesman was born ob- struetionist Didn't think the bronze would fit the place described; didn't care much about showing 1t and measuring 1t, but didn't think it was big enough anyhow. and couldn't very much see what in the world we wanted 1t for anyway. When 1t came to having 1t sent on approval he was sure that couldn't be done, and was gloomy to a degree.
 I would not ask the distant purchasers to pay for thing of my selection with out having seen it, but the Respondent salesman could throw no light on my pre- dicament, and would not even voluntarily look up the reference had to give.
 In despair asked for a higher author ity The sad one departed in search of his superior, and came back moment later smiling and scraping, all politeness and willingness to serve.
 Its all right, Miss! Oh, yes. Miss! No trouble at all Missi We'll get 1t off im- mediatelyl I'll see to 1t myself, Miss!'
 Now who had worked this marvel? The head of the department-a gentleman-who appeared behind the salesman with cour- tesy so entire and so gracious an attitude that the other had caught the spirit as a runner lights his torch in passing, at that of the next man.
 So manners are contagious. Certainly they are unless one sets oneself sternly against them Gas I am sometimes in- clned to think the New Workers dol. Out of pure mischief once in an uptown board ing house in which I was obliged to spend short time, I piled my table neigh bor with little attentions. The ser vice was very poor, and 1t was really necessary for us, strangers though we were to help each other a little if we wished to save time.
 I think that girl would have died rather than ask me for anything. But I did not wait to be asked, but insisted on pass ing her bread, butter and anything thought she might need. I said Good morning" and Good evening" to her In foreign fashion, and asked her for bread butter and salt in turn. She was awfully annoyed by 1t. I am sure, and was glad when left. No gladder than I. for to sit three times a day beside so shut-in, so unresponsive creature, was really disheartening. But she was immune-or else 1t would take a stronger case of man. ners than mine to give her the germ.
 I wish some department store in New York would advertise instead of dis counts--a smile thrown in. I could guar antee that place patronage and would gladly assist gratis in advertising 1t. Then perhaps the boarding houses would fall into line, the machinery of the ele- vated be fabricated with courtesy, and the millennium just around the corner from the subway.
 In this connection I cannot resist tell ing a little incident which occurred re- gently In the slums. Three little Italian girls, sisters. had been to see me-Jose- phine, 12 years old; Minnie, G. and Rosie, 8. 1t began to rain and I kept them as long as | could in the hope of its stopping, but was finally obliged to start out Witii sitthi. 'fV ocic VII a Soi itis way down town, near the Italian quar- ter when the rain began coming down in gusts, with wind beating us about in a most troublesome manner, We were wait ing for horse car which came webbing along. absolutely bulging with people.
 I said to the conductor. Do you sup pose you have room for these children?'
 Just hand 'em in. little lady" called out citizen. and I did. Rosie went in hand oyar hand Ninnie after and JoaephinA was soon being hauled onto the platform. Before know 1t I was literally picked up and ret upon the dashboaxd and VI