The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-12-23

crossed tho floor the "salesladies'
stood IN readiness Eleven o'clock had
passed before the rush began Then a
stHady strcnn of purchasers filed the
place. They crowded before the coun-
ter. They Jostled each other. The
riot grew. Dorothea would never have
found the courage 10 accost any prog-
pectiye buyer much less cut her from
out under the attack OF any OF her
companions. Only b cause the crowd
wns No great that AL we're engaged
and there was no one 70 walt on her,
n stout, beIated customer was unat-
tended. She gazcd about impaticntIy
"If you girls we're attending to your
business instead Of chatting" she be-
gan. looking squarelY at Ddroihra.
Can DO anything for you, madam?
ahe asked humbly.
: Certainly" croakcd the woman.
"Iiaven't been waiting here for a
quarter OF mn hour2 want doll in
the latest fashion. "A real stylish ONE
''WiIl this dor" Dorothea asked.
displaying fiaxen -curied, red checked
figure clad In white with wide blue
rlbboned straw hat.
"Thativ fumed the female contemp-
tuousiy. do you call that up TO datey
why. there aln't no fashionable look
there. When were hats like that wore?
Before the food, guess"
Dprothea produced another and more
modish example.
"A suit Of that sort!' condemned the
woman. They went out last year.
No. I'm not TO be put of with any old
stuff"
Obedlcntly Dorothea displayed an
other and then another. only 10 find II
unsatisfactory. Stiil the next failed
10 meet the requirements and yet one
more. She took down doll after doll.
She opened box after box. The time
employed was considerable, the de-
mand on patience great
We'll" declared the massive shopper
At length. new I'm sure. was only
lookIn'. I'll go somewheres where they
have things"
She departed with az near a fiounce
as her size permitted. Dorothea sigh
cd. When she had done a thing wen
she had always been praised for 1t.
Failure annoyed her.
"why didn't that woman buyT de-
manded the manager. who had been
watching.
There was not what she liked"
Whats that?" he retorted. You're
here to sell what we've got, not what
they want"
Dorothea's eyes flashed. Then she
remembered. With an effort she re-
mained silent.
'Yes. sir" she said meekiy.
The department was spacked. Mo-
tion was difficult. On one side at last
she discovered small boy He stood
somewhat apart from the mob, as II
intlmidated by It. His gaze was fixed
on a large and glittering Christmas
tree.
"Gee," he muttered TO himself.
Couldn't use thatl"
MAY help your she asked gently,
making her way toward him.
His clear, ten-year-old eyes rested
thankfully and trustily on her.
Il wanter git Christmas presents"
he confided.
YES" she said.
Il got nlnety-five cents" he declared
proudly. AN want presents for
Edna an Maud an Tommy an the
baby"
"we'll certainly find something" she
declared confidently
She was obliged to take his hand to
lead him carefully through the throng.
Carefully they hunted through the
place They gravely inspected rock
ing horses, playhouse. express carts,
locomotive engines and steamboats,,
"They's too high" he said finally |
with depressing realization of the
limited purchasing powers OF money,
even OF ninety-five cents.
II thought that I'd have enough"
he went on. Il made It sellin papers,
an thought 1t was goin' TO CO." he
finished, struggling manfully against
"Never mind" Dorothea exclaimed
"we'll find something that will be very
nice. Just wait"
Again they made the round. giving
their attention to less magnificent ar
ticles Dorothea put down ON a check
each purchase made, At length reach
ing the last, she found that the list
stood:
Trumpet,
Top.
Noah's Ark.
Paint -box