Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-12-23
The Christmas Shopper

The streets yesterday
nerhaps you noticed. were IN ,n0
sh,shy condition, following on d neie-
ing light snow eo,+ ,,orv mn
se,fieh as she plodded through the muu
80, store TO store in search or SlIts
which she meant to distribute IN .ne
roIa NJ santa Claus. She had Just ue-
cided Christmas shopping was ~
sidarablv OF q bore, unless one POS
sesses a mint Of money--then she =
membered that she wished 10 puy q
veil for a friend and turned III
tba stores. She walked toward n
enunter where the little blonde clerk
was busily trying different mesnes
against her really beautiful skin TOT
the benefit of ar elegantly goWheu
lady. ,mnotientrv
smoke the customer in Hottest manner,
they are intended for a golden nalrSu
girl and | wish had q pretty piohue
10 try these on for me, put sem one
~ each. added as unpleasantly us
avishlv' eeha-arge them ana she
sailed her ample proportions maJesti-
cauv 10 another portion OF the store,
The Christmas shopper couldn't help
hut notice the hurt expression on tnv
face Of the pretty blonde clerk at tne
tactlessne ss of the extremely lhportan'
customer. oa+
"Itis TOO bad,'t she said, "do you meet
that sort of Christmas splIl' ~
these busy days?" ~
mo" somewhat YEARLY smiled the
little clerk. many Of the people are
perfectly lovely, but some people
being charitable, she merely
her shoulders expressively.
A little later the Christmas shopper
noticed a wen dressed nervous ht'e
body looking at belt buckles
She fidgeted with the tray OF pretty
ieweled buckles finally selecting an
AMETHYST that was so much purple sun
light. set in filigree silver ana y glit
oval with O topaz that had the sparkle
of champagne.
Then She handed the clerk a dollar
bill.
..You have not given me enough
money" explained the clerk IN the nice
way most clerks have.
why how's that? exclaimed the
customer in well feigned surprise. Inc
amethyst is marked rs cents ana the
yellow 25 cents, and | gave you a dol
lar bill"
you didn't look closely enough.
The prices are $3.50 and $2.25.
"Ohl well, give me back my doilar
bill"
"a 4 IlIC
buckles at a price limit of one dollar
for two. started on a fresh hunt.
In the postoffice as the Christmas
shoper stood idly awaiting her turn
at tie stamp window. a woman rushed
to the window as though pursued by a
dozen furies.
II want some stamps she preatn-
The postoffice clerk explained That
she would have to step back in line
and await her turn.
"Well, | am in an awful hurry she
grumbIed as she reluctantly stepped
behind the several people who were
waiting.
Nov will It trouble you too greatly
To wait on me-? sarcastically asked
the irate and hurried lady when she
had finally arrived at the window. rs
clerk did not answer. the lady
showed a small carefully wrapped
package through the window. How
much do / need on this"
Merchandise and the clerk turn.
ed il from side to side. "Of course
slammed the lady ITS a scarf for my
friend in San Antonio. She Is spend
ing the winter there you know and
Five cents interrupted the clerk
who had weighed h box.
IN take a five cen stamp. then.
but are you sure that Will be enough,
/ wouldn't have IL lost Tor the Noiiu.
Five cents will be enough said
the clerk. looking over her shoulder at
the waiting line.
The lady shopper raised her veil
deliberately and moistened the stamp.
"Ohi pshaw-lt doesn't stick"
You probably wet II too much,
patiently replied the clerk You viii
find glue over at the desk"
IAN right. Say. are you sure this
package will get there2" But the
clerk was past answering and merely
induiringiy at the next in line.
Are YOU tired shopping, mother"
The Christmas shopper heard a voice
ask.
Just a little laddie."
can right. We will lave lunch
down town and 20 home In a cab
THAT will be lovely. only you are
so extravagant. Willie child" There
was nothing 10 the incident. nothing
at an onIy the Christmas shopper saw
with amaze that Willie boy was a big
gray haired man. fifty years old. II a
day.
A man was pe~rplexedly regarding an
array OF things essentially feminine In
look and Intention.
He was speaking to someone as the
Christmas shopper passed and this Is
ne said.
When they are little they toddle
under our feet When they are grown
,ip they walk over our hearts"
What do you suppose he was taking
ab0utg