Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-18

y ~ 1S/N feeling very unset
w "a AA fish. indeed, board
AALES6S ed a 9 O'Clock car
~ESAH and started on her
H<X1I way in search of adj
S1. TO- venture and, Incl
N NOR 1l dentally. the few
u/ v gifts she intended
to distribute in her role of Santa Claus.
She had not gone more than a half dozen
squares before she discovered that there
were about as many Christmas shoppers
as there were original Florodora sextet
girls. which is saying great deal, as
every one we'll knows.
Straight for the ribbon and postal card
counters she headed when she left the
car. and in the midst of good-natured
throng carefully counted out her change
and tucked her purchases away in the
depths of an ample handbag. For past
experience had taught her the benefits
to be derived from having her purse gen.
erously filled with handy change.
She had bought some tulle, and was
waiting for the little woman in the veil
department to give her her package, for
she was one of the thoughtful beings who
religiously obey the sign-"Please take
small packages with you"
How tactless some people are!" COM
mented the little woman as she put
large piece of yelling back into box.
The Christmas Shopper raised her eye
brows inquiringly. The little woman
smiled quietly to herself.
Il have in mind the person who just
left here she explained. peculiar in
Election in her voice, as she indicated a
rapidly departing and showily dressed
parsonage of ample proportions. She
was buying from Miss Brown some wells
to send away, and Miss Brown was con-
that the purchaser might get the effect.
Yet nothing seemed to please her.
-
"'Oh, if 1 only had a pretty blonde to
try these on for me. she exclaimed, with
undue emphasis on the pretty. But send
them up, anyway-it's foolish to expect
satisfaction here. Charge"
And off she walked, her head high up
in the air, and seemingly unconscious
that Miss Brown herself was not only a
decided blonde, but a pretty one, at that.
Nor did she seem to care about the hurt
look in Miss Browns eyes. Oh, yes, we
girls have troubles enough with some of
our customers. although most of them
are generally very pleasant.
only yesterday an attractive-look1ng
manner, threatened to report me. Her
own voice was very loud and coarse.
didn't want to have any words with her.
SO turned her over to another clerk and
went on waiting on a customer who did
not find me SO Objectionable. or course,
at the Christmas season, we do not have
time to put new wells on for purchasers,
as we often do when We are not SO
rushed.
Some of them get perfectly furious.
~ ,<,lf
to wrap it up for me- one woman said
sarcastically to me this morning. when
had to refuse to drape veil on her hat
No, l do not wish any pins; would
not think of bothering you for the world:
And off she went, saying most uncOmplf-
mentary things about us to her COM
panion."
But the Christmas Shoppers package
was ready and she wandered away In the
direction of a big sign that said Meek
wear She was gazing spellbound at
an endless array of bows and collars and
laces that can be bought for the extrav-
agant sum of % cents, when she noticed
a dainty girl in gray.
Thank goodness" the little gray lady
was saying. THANK goodness-I am
through. I've bought boas or collars or
jabots for every one from grandma to
the little daughter of the laundress, and
books for all the men and children Now
all 1 have to do Is to decide just how
heartless. l know, but it's an easy way
to shirk ones holiday obligations"
And the Christmas Shopper. who had
read volume after volume on the beauty
of Christmas giving and OF putting much
of thought and love into each remem-
brance, quite agreed with her.
***
81 suppose you have many funny ex-
periences here?" the Christmas Shopper
said to the pieasant-mannered "postmis-
tress" in one Of the stores.
do ]? At this season Of the year
I have them almost a hundred times a
day. ! can't tell you how many people
turn away offended and utterly disguised
when I am busy making out money or
ders or registering packages and cannot
stop right on the minute to sell them the
one-cent stamp necessary to send that
CAV picture postal on it's Christmas mis-
sion. When the crowd lined up outside
my window sees the approach of a post
man it nearly goes frantic: you would
really think that he was quite the only
postman in the city and that II they dld
not put that particular letter or package
into his mail bag, it would be all up with
them for the future
While the Christmas Shopper stood
idly around, a woman rushed to the WIN
dow as though pursued by dopen
furies.
lis this the post Officer she inquired,
breathlesSly.
The little postmistress nodded affably.
"Can ! get stamps here?'
Again the answering nod.
"AIl right-hoW many will l need on
this?" And she showed a small. carefully
wrapped box through the window.
"Merchandise?" The postmistress turned
it from side to side.
'Why yes, of course, 1t is: it's a re-
membrance for my friend in San Antonio;
she's there for the winter. you know"
explained milady. tribe more calmly:
The box was duly weighed and handed
back.
Five cents
"Pll take a five-cent stamp for it. then.
But are you really sure that will be
enough? I wouldn't have it lost for any
thing"
give cents will be enough" the little
woman assured her. kindly.
The other raised her veil and moistened
her stamp.
''Oh, pshaw. there's no stickum on
this" she said. endeavoring to paste it
on the box.
II am afraid you made it too wet. Here
is the mucilage."
The woman shrugged her shoulders
put on generous supply of the gummy
liquid. and pushed the bottle back.
"You are sure this will get there?"
II am sure" reiterated Madame Pa
thence, as she watched the plumes on her