New-York tribune., 1908-01-22
CHIC FROCKS FOR A SONG
LiueIy Bidding for French Confec-
fions Forfeited to United States.

A gray haired man with serious face caused q
had fright among the women who attended United
states Marshal Henkeis auction sale OF frencn
gowns at the marshsrs Office. in the Federal Build
ing. YESTERDAY Just before the sale began the
serious man spoke conhdentially TO one woman
after another
These gowns will all be sold in one lot he in
formed them
Isn't that shame:' chorused the women Ad-
eertising and bringing US here for nothing"
Then the serious kindly offered 10 reserve
for the various women the gowns they had set
their hearts and they accepted with gratitude
Finally one Of them bethought her TO ask a watch
man il the serious man the auctoneer
Nom; that's Bryan q. Hughes, practical Joker,
SAID the watchTnan-
The star gown Of the lot was a wedding costume
Of white satin. trimmed with lace II lay on long
table. in s box by itself hanked by eight Empire
gowns one gorgeous evening creation Of black net
several two-pieoe costumes, a coat and an opera
cloak Of satin and fur The gowns were seized by
'he marshal fer violation Of the customs laws and
the woman VINO brought them over, a Miss Todd
IS said TO have disappeared while the case was be
ing investigated.
Marshal Henkel. in q stiff hat and d stern man
ner probably acquired in arresting offenders
against tae customs laws handed the gowns up one
hy one 20 sad faced who stood aloft and
draped them around himself while the auctioneer
expstiated on their beauties. The bidding vas
-ather slow, TO the auctioneers disgust
DIG you lGCleS come 10 Do On l4-cSo ScNlio "a
Old you Just drop in for the pleasure OF seeing
u7e7" he inquired in his mild and persuasive voice
The tendency Of the women TO raise the bids dol
bar by dollar also grieved him
Anybody can see that you ladies have had prac-
nee bargain hunting" he complained Please re-
member these are nc 81 So gowns.
The sale began with a spangled gown. which the
.uctIonee- said the marshal said 4 peach"
And hes judge. Il anybody is said the auc-
7ioneer. The next lot offered was white gown
of muslin and lace. The auctioneer nearly wept
vllea the bidding halted at $50 You couldn't get
me trimming II $50 he expostuated. I've
: mind TO bid that in myself
When three stunning gowns had been knocked
DOWN within short interval 70 blase bidder in a
hig blue hat, group OF women turned away in
disgust
They're all dressuakers" said one. NO use
irving 10 bid against them.
The auctioneer was in his glory when he came
the wedding gown.
Now isn't that 2 heauty-the gem Of the col
lection" he purred. ~ know some Of YOU women
want 70 get married''--
Some Of US don't snapped thin woman in the
n ackground-
Buy it," imploTed the auctioneer. You may
only wear il once in your life
The wedding gown was knocked down for 500
a 1hree-piece green suit, with white satin
zaistcoat, brought SIS
What's its size?" called an anxious little woman
while the bidding creeping Up.
II YOU want a suit fitted 10 order pay 500. said
she auctioneer. and the little woman goodnaturedly
joined IN the laugh on herself
once when an evening gown went at SIS. 4
woman who had piped up '$35 minute too late
raised d protest
we think that should be put UP again she
said.
I've sold II at S.. and what 1 say I don't 20
hack on returned the auctioneer- I've frequently
noticed he observed later, when some women
grunlbled that they did not have chance TO see
-f,e mos
It's not the women that find excuses and make
complaints shat ready with the price
Some elabcrztely embroidered gowns were among
the lof. There vas one opera cloak OF white satin
and sable, which brought out chorus Of ''Oh's!''
and Ais II went at $ea which nearly broke
the suctioneers heart
The little room was Well filed with both women
and men. Now and then Of the latter put in
q bid. Once, when white silk gown, trimmed with
What the suctioneer described diamonds and
pearls was offered. masculine voice in the rear
called cut, Thirty dollars
What's that? Who said $2o?" demanded I'll.
suctioneer-
Good looking fellow back here some one vel
unteered
The good looking fellow vas SO abashed at
this description OF himself that he slrank into
silence and was heard
Ten hundred and 'forty-one dollars was realized
from the sale. The gowns were appraised at 81 S9s
IN Paris. and the duty brought their appraised
ralue UP SOL As 10 the woman who is prob
ably mourning their loss to-day there are confi--
irS stories. Some say she IS the daughter of the
president OF the St Charles Hotel Company, OF
New Orleans, and that she brought so many
clothes from her trip Paris that this one
1rUBful she 5ust absentnindedly forgot TO declare
hut q certain New York dressmaker SAYS that
Miss Todd" is really a married woman, mem
her Of theatrical company, and that the for
feited goRns were duplicated by her in New York
for S71