Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-08-24
Simplicity In Dress.

AS the ordinary man was smiling ge-
nially while getting into his overcoat after
breakfast the little woman deemed the
moment propitious for making casual
mention of her need of check. SO she
spoke briefly on that interesting subject.
The genial smile faded inStantaneously
from the face of the ordinary man. He
halted in the midst OF buttoning his glove
to remark witheringly: "lf there's one
thing I'd like to know it's where you
throw away your money"
The little woman remained meekly 81
lent. This action on her part, since it
gave him no fuel for his wrath, made him
doubly angry.
"There's Days wife," he exploded.
"She could wear diamonds TO your glass
beads, according to the difference in Days
income and mine. Yet what does she
wear? The plaineSt, simplest, neatest
looking outfit on the street But you
must have braidS and laces and frills-
and must pay for them p The vials OF
his wrath being thus emptied, he paused
to recharge them.
In the silence thus created the little
woman made a timid suggestion.
Couldn't the ordinary man get away from
the office just little while to help her
find a suit that would meet his views OF
simplicity?
The ordinary man looked at her
Shrewdly. He did not like to be taken
in and his suspicious were aroused by
this unusual request. Her face, however,
was as patiently guileleSS as he had ever
seen it, so he accepted her suggestion.
"Hustle and get ready, then" said the
ordinary man, "and I'Il help you get fit
ted out in half an hour"
So the shopping tour began.
"Shall we look at suits firSt?" queS-
toned the little woman, as she led the
way to the suit department where you
can buy them readymade.
The ordinary man gave his assent.
Something simple, dark and not too
high priced" requested the little woman.
The ordinary man nodded his approval.
The saleswoman brought out hall a
dozen suits.
"Do you call those simple ?" inquired
tile ordinary man, wonderingly, almost
sarcaSticalIy.
"They're the simplest we have at that
price," returned the saleswoman, polite
ly, as she removed the offensive suits
without displaying them and went in
search of others.
"Those were $685." murmured the little
woman thoughtiully.
The ordinary man said nothing, but IN
his mind he was busy figuring an ap-
proximate cost of the trimmings and OF
the deducting the whole from $35. he
nodded his head wisely.
The salesman brought another armful
OF suits. She held them up to view
They were simple, but not OF the Mrs.
Day simplicity. They had velvet cuffs
and collars and light-colored Innings and
the cut OF the coats was OF the most ex-
treme pattern. Still, they had none OF
that offensive braid and
The meditationS of the ordinary man
were cut short, for his wife whispered
softly, "Those suits are $45, dear"
1t staggered him TO think OF the price OF
velvet. Enough only for collar and cuffs,
it seemed, was worth $40 over and above
the price of braid with its applications!
He shook his head in disapproval. Then,
in well controlled evaporation, he re-
queSted the saleswoman TO be so kind as
to let him see just plain, simple, un-
adorned suit.
The saleswoman understood. She
hurried away and soon returned with a
single suit, held carefully on hanger.
"That's something like - exclaimed
the ordinary man, appreciatively, as his
eye took in the simple lines Of the outfit,
with its finish, its cloth collar and cuffs,
its heavy, good wearing quality and its
all around common sense appearance.
"That's what we've been looking for, "
he commenced as his wife slipped into
the coat. 1t fitted perfectly. Everything
was satisfactory. "Charge this suit and
send it out, he said briskly.
"And the price?" queried the little
woman, as she and the ordinary man
turned TO go.
eighty dollars" responded the sales
woman, easily.
She was busy making out the check,
so didn't see the look on the face OF the
ordinary man.
The little woman was possessed OF
much tact. She bent quietly over an odd
garment displayed near by until the ordl-
nary man had recovered. Then they
walked silently TO the elevator.
II tmay be that the feat attributed to the
,to- -; ,ta e,,h;oiped anecdOte from