The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-14

Siedrs al CHrlstmaS lime-I could never buy this gorgeous thing, because it's too expensive. Besides, should hate to have any friend of mine going about looking like perambulating stained glass window or an Italian sunset
 Well, whats the use of hurting the haberdasher's feelings?" l said as nudged her. "Use some diplomacy-he' s human, even if he is dressed up and highly perfumed and don't give darn.'
 But it had no effect on Bettina for she promptly said:
 T could buy perfectly good spring bonnet for ss5.' I didn't dream that men, s clothes could cost so much. In fact, I thought the tailors just sewed up two straight picese of cloth for trousers, and a sort of sack with sleeves and a neck cut out fof a coat for the strong minded sex and that a whole suit cost about $25.y
 And before the haberdasher could re- ply Bettina caught my arm and pointing in the direction of the ties and socks counter, she said:
 Let's see what that young man is say ing to the clerk
 And according we moved our goods and chattels across the aisle of the store os- tensibly to look in the show case, but in reality to eavesdrop. -4s ---.-...-ls. 5.
 'T wish the ties to be square cor nered," said the dapper young man. Pointed ones being entirely out of date"
 What shades?' asked the clerk suavely.
 "Mauve and gray" he replied prompt ly.
 Think of Tt knowing the right col ors." Eiggled Bettina.
 The gray tints are particularly good this season." It went on, "and by the way, must have a scarf pin to match and I'd be glad if you'd suggest stone that would harmonize with gray. Now amethysts go with mauve beautifully, and"
 He's been associating with Mrs. Clar- ence Mackay," cackled Bettina as she punched me in the ribs.
 '"The new enameled scarf pins.p sug- gested the polite clerk, like this have on 0ndicating the one in his tie) of gray surrounding one small pearl think Is not far from correct
 T believe he's something in q brokers office," said Bettina quickly looking at what brokers are but they and their associates are always moro or less opu- lent, and this one is bound to be some thing important, for he is paying s15o a pair for socks and q for ties"
 Next to him stood a man of fashion who asked the clerk If the buttonholss this year should bs straight or slightly slanted in precisely the same tone that an evangelist would say:
 How many of us tonight would like to have our souls saved from torment r'
 Not a whit less important was the question of buttonholes to this mere man judging from his serious and sepulchral voice
 An we started out another of the per- fectly groomed clerks was explaining to a round, fat, red man with no moro style than Q razor back pig that the brims of derbies this season must be 2 ss-10o of an inch in breadth and
 "Just about the size of his brain.'" said Bsttina pitrsssly.
 And wouldn't you just like to sec that old guy in derby and . new suit of clothes walking up the avenue some Sunday afternoon imagining every un- suspecting female that he met was falling head over heels . victim to his charms" :"
 well. can't even imagine such con- ceit," said I.
 Its too exciting.'' announced Bettfna- Let's SO to an auction sale"
 NO; instead let's SC to Nunnsllys and have an ice cream soda ana talk it all over"