Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1910-03-03
Finery, Fallen From nigh Estate, at
Auction and the Varied and Anus
ing Gathering Of Women
Intent on Securing

Auction and the Varied and Anus
ing Gathering Of Women
Intent on Securing
| Bargains.
From the New York Herald.
Lot 121, chiffon and satin hand en-
broidered evening gown. Ah-h! Here
10 what we're waiting for. Bring her
in, jim
All eyes were turned expectantly
toward the opening in the dirty red
curtains strung on a wire at one end
of the room. Behind this wall Of mys-
terry Lot 121' was preparing her toilet.
everyone showed forward in her chair,
the auctioneer squared around to the
entrance through which Lot 121' was
to appear, and there was little silence.
Apparently this was what we were all
| waiting for
In moment Jim came out bearing
Lot 121" In his arms. He set her up
In the little platform under the light,
gave few last witches of adjustment
and stepped back.
Lot 121" swung awkwardly on an
old wooden form which was too large.
One tinselled strap slipped from the
ugly black jersey shoulder Of the model
and the skirt was pulled awry. The
crowd gazed unwinkingly at '121," and
she stood the inspection with a brave
ueIUAipt at JduullItSS al IltI SOiIiCW Ildl
dulled satin folds and her soiled chiffon.
1t was the last stand Of a thoroughbred
dress against the rag bag.
Turn 1t around Jim. Let me see
the back" said the auctioneer with
much JUNCTION.
Jim did SO. Poor, "121" was taken at
q disadvantage. The hooks on the
waist did not meet around the form by
several inches, and this gave the crea-
ture sloppy, careless appearance
which was entirely foreign to It's noble
birth In some well known Fifth avenue
shop.
Pull out the skirt. Jim, and let's
see what goes with it, Look ladies',
here's fine underskirt without a spot
on it. The skirt would be worth the
price alone"
Jim pulled out at arms length the
draperies of the gown and ruthlessly
displayed the interior construction Of
Its makeup.
ANY one wanting to examine this ar
tioneer In frank, confidence inviting
voice. I'VE don't want you to buy
unless you're satisfied"
Two or three women went forward
and inspected the offering. One caught
a bunch of the satin in her hand and
crumpled 1t several times In the time
lhonored manner Of the would be Judge
finger nail down the seams and held the
chiffon up to the light to look for holes.
One woman shifted and stalkcd to her
seat.
The scene was in one Of the auction
rooms in the downtown district All
about were pictures, curios and an
tiQues of all kinds. Several old paint
ings were covered with trailing gar
ments hung over their frames. Swords,
muskets, and many strange articles of
| warfare were ranged in dusty cases.
Queer pieces of furniture, much of it
old, stood about. Hanging from nails
were different articles of feminine ap-
parel, and behind the red curtains one
taught glimpses of stacks and piles
j Of 1t.
A couple of young women arranged
the garments on the forms with much
laughter and chattering. These were
borne out before the audience by the
assisistants and retired ANONYMOUSLY
when sold. very much after the hook"
method so popular on amateur nights
at the cheap theaters.
Somebody start it," said the auc-
tioneer briskly. Thirty? Twenty +?
Ten? Eight? Come. come"
"A dollar" said a voice from the
rear.
'one fifty" 1.-TWO. "Two twenty
five" The bids came in quick success
sion, and the auctioneer barely MUIR
INJURED them. When the sum of four
dollars and quarter had been reached
there was lull in the bargaining.
-Four TWEEN five, Inventive, twent'
five." the auctioneer kept repeating.
Turn her around again, Jim
The bids jumped to five and a quar-
ter. then ceased. why, look at the
embroidery on that satin. Where could
you get anybody to do 1t for you for
the miserable sum Of five dollars?'
A woman raised her bid ten cents.
The auctioneer looked panied How
careful he commented. A thin faced
man bid five dollars and a half No
coaxing from the auctioneer could
bulge the price higher
Four fift-f1f', fift-going, going; sold.
Take her away, Jim. The next time
this firm has anything to do with
dresses I'll know it.. The auctioneer's
face was melancholy and there seemed
ened up visibly when he consulted his
list and announced that the next lot
was mo. 1872, brown velvet dress.
Hurry up. Jim; here is really superior
article"
This was my first visit to a clothing
auction. In my part of the country aft
err dress has ceased to do duty for
the party Of the first part 1t is cut IN
into clothing for the smaller members
of the family or given to the deserving
poor. Or IL one has a thrifty soul Il il
traded off at the kitchen door for tin
ware.
In that same unenlightened section
the sales girl or the office employee does
not ind spangled or chiffon gown
necessary to maintain her position in
society. Usually some little home made
frock does duty for winters pleasure
But In New York. by this excellent
plan. the women who take ADVANTAGE
Of 1t are enabled to exhibit gowns with
foreign labels sewn In the belts. and in
the evening, with Mr. Percy Hallroorn.
to make respondent appearance at
the theater or restaurant
"Oh. have lady friend who gets
all her things at sales the woman
next me said, and she's an awful swell
dresser Why. at night you can't tell
the difference
u The crowd almost filed the room.
The sale had begun at 2:30 o'clock and
many of the women had been there
two hours before inspecting the ex-
hibit. At o'clock almost the same
number was sitting or standing pa
tiently about. l wondered who was
getting the dinners at home,
~ PyI-