The Washington times., 1911-01-25

was passing and thought I would
come in and look at them," eX-
plained Mrs. Brown to the saleswoman,
and at once the saleswoman was gra-
ciOus, for each sale meant a commits
sion to her that she needed badly
THE frockiest frock we have had this
winter, and sold for $40 a month ago."
She said as she displayed the pretty
filmy thing over the back of a chair.
'Frockiest frock," sounded ultra
smart TO Mrs. Brown. who didn't really
have the money to buy.
She explained apologetically to the
clerk that she could not buy the gauzy
gown, even though it had been reduced
to $3.50, for the very good reason that
she didn't have the $780,
Simple Matter
To Open Account.
why not open an account" suggest
ed the saleswoman, in a matter of fact
tone that still had a note of invitation
that appealed to the pride of young
Mrs. Brown.
"Oh, no; I couldn't do that! I never
have things charged" she said.
Just little matter of convenience
l am sure Mr.. Blank would be glad to
have you open an account. Just a little
thing TO pay any time, you know, when
1t is convenient. No bother at ALL"
The voice was very seductive and the
frock was truly tantalizing.
so cheap, too,' went on the sales
woman; you'll never have an opportu-
nifty to get such a bargain againI'
. AND so Mrs. Brown Welded Mr.
Blank was brought, the account open
Cd, and the debtor left the store with
mingled emotions Of self-reproach and
pride.
Danger Signal
Not Needed.
1t gives one so much self-confidence
TO say CarelessIy to the clerk Just
charge that to my account she told
herself, as she became more intoxicated
with the experience
The frock was little matter. but it
was the danger signal which, had it
been needed, would have saved Mrs,
Brown from pecunidry embarrassment
which afterward chained her mind and
subjected her to many indfgnitfes.
Mr.. Blank, sure of his money in the
end, was so gracious because he knew
that Mrs Brown had yielded to a
temptation that would not stop with the
1rock. She was quite intoxicated and
opened an account at hat shop across
the way that she might have a suitable
hat for the new gown.
Ot course, one thing calls for another
and she hardly realized how much the
account with Mr.. Blank was enlarged
time and time again. 1t was so easy
TO buy things when one did not have TO
pay for them on the spot.
Bills Gave Her
Thrill of Horror.
When the bills came at the first of
the month she gaspcd with horror.
She didn't have so much money of
her. own, and she knew well enough that
it would embarrass her husband TO pay
so much at one time, for they were
but starting life. and their income was
small
So she went around as one haunted
by an evil spirit, knowing neither rest
nor peace.
And one day as she was looking into
shop window Mr.. Blank spoke to her
COuTteOuSlv:
Have you seen our spring hats?" he
asked.
Mrs. Brown flushed when she said she
had not.
the opening today. We have Just the
thing that will suit you-quite a dis
tinctive model I will have il laid aside
want it
And before she could answer he was
gone.
''Why, he can't mind the money or
he wouldn't be so gracious" she told
herself, and went to the millinery OPEN
ing.
Had Her At
His Mercy.
And when she protested that her bill
there already was quite large, and that
It had been mailed her the first of the
month. and not yet settled. Mr.. Blank
said the sending out of bills the first
was Just a matter of form, and needn't
worry her at all which quite eased her
mind-for the time being.
Mr.. Blank knew full we'll that he had
Mrs. Brown at his mercy; that he could
make his own uSurious terms with her,
and in the end gorge on her blood, so
he made her feel sufficiently at ease to
add another new hat to her already big
bill
In the end came inevitable indignities
to Mrs Brown, embarrassment and
sacrifice. and harder work for her hus-
band, and all because she listened to
the siren voice Of a saleswOman for the
sake of a marked down gown!