The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-12-28
SHOPPING FOR A
TIE WITH A LADY

,bt pAS - ohu obS
wanted to buy me a tie. l explained
that l wore only one kind. She said it
looked outworn. My ties, l told her,
were matters of little trouble to me.
The plainest and simplest sort would
do. She affirmed that n could get
anything in Kansas City, ever plain
ness and simplicity, If you were pre-
pared to pay for it. The first store we
came to looked good to me, but she
snorted and passed it. We walked
seven blocks and inspected 70 win
| am a man of simple tastes,
but the lady explained at some length
that that vas what allied me. What /
needed was completely.
We went into the thirteenth store.
The lady went up to the clerk.
"Show me some ties" she said, i'm
al me. For, for" he suffered.
For wearing" she suggested. ami
ably. tiles to wear around the col
lar"
The clerk overturned a display case
and almost tripped over himself in his
haste.
what we need at this counter" l
suggested, lis lady clerks"
1.-The Lord forbid" sighed the lady.
sitting down.
The clerk came back with several
boxes and opened them. He rubbed
his hands\and smiled pleasantly.
"Now, madam" he commenced,
these are some of our very"
He caught the CLINT of that cold
beautiful y and stopped.
Bring MORE" she said.
He brought them. And mor And
more. He contrived such a pile that
he had to come in front OF his counter
to explain his wares. But the lady
tilted her pretty nose disdainfully.
Are these" she said sweetly, "all
you have?"
mo, madam" he brindled at last,
"but they are all we have room for on
that counter"
She flared at that and lifted her
skirt.
Come" she said to me. I followed
her wondering where what the clerk
threw would strike me When we got
outside / protested, or started to. But
she only laughed.
stupid" she said, ." didn't intend
buying there. l disliked the look of
that clerk. Come on"
We went. We passed five other
stores and she decided on the sixth.
But before we went in l demanded an
agreement. We had to buy a tie.
Nov that" she protested, sis so
like a man. You haven't said a single
word to let me know what sort of a
tie you want. And you couldn't have
worn n of those rights that horrid
fellow showed us next door,"
1T was miles away" 1 murmured,
land centuries"
She looked at me critically.
well, now" she said, cooking her
eye at me critically, you are looking
dusty and, yes, your collar is wilted."
"Is that all?" l asked.
Dear me, no, l was mercifM."
Its a virtue" 1 said, that suits
you. 1t looks fresh"
Come on" she said again, and in
we went. If it wasn't the same clerk
it was his replica.
Nov, madam" he said, what can
l have the pleasure"
Don't be premature" I suggested.
| He smiled at me.
ITO wait on our customers" he said,
els always a pleasure"
Craftsmanship school," 1 thought.
II want a dark green tie" the lady
| said, not too dark, mind you. With
a shot silk effect. Now don't bring me
a wide one. Something that will run
easily through a follower collar. But
not so narrow that it will tie in a
skinny knot"
The clerk fingered his lips nervous
ly. He hadn't reached that stage in
his craftsmanship course.
But wait" said the lady. 81 think
1 won't have it with the shot silk ef
feet. Just the plain silk"
The salesman went on and consult
ed the fioorwalker. They returned
together.
81 fear, madam" said the fioorwalk
er, that the tie you ask for is out Of
date. If i might suggest"
DO" l muttered.
II fail" the lady commented, Ito see
the necessity"
The floorwalker bowed.
Madam" he said, Gin our business
fashion"
Have you got the tie 1 want?' the
lady demanded icily.
NO"
Then, bless me, why don't you say
so?"
The f1oorwalker bowed again.
tried to look stolid and felt a fool.
Come" said the lady. Again / fol
lowed.
What is the timer" she asked me.
-Four o'clock"
Dear me. l had quite forgotten
Take me to Tosti's for a cup Of tea"
"But~m my tie." l protested.
"Can wait" she said.
dad my wi1tad nolIaro