Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-07-06
Simplicity ii,
Dress

AS the ordinary man was smiling
genially while getting into his over
coat 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 instantane-
ously from the face of the ordinary
man. He halted in the midst of but
toning his glove to remark whitening
ly: IF there's one thing I'd like to
know It's where you throw away your
money"
The little woman remained meek
ly silent. This action on her part,
since it gave him no fuel for his
wrath, made him doubIy angry.
There's Days wife," he exploded.
She could wear diamonds to your
glass beads, according to the differ
ence 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!" The walls of his wrath be-
ing thus emptied, he paused to re-
charge them.
In the silence thus created the little
woman made timid suggestion.
Couldn't the ordinary man get away
from the office just a little while to
help her find suit that would meet
his views of simplicity?
The ordinary man looked at her
shrewdly. He did not like to be TAX
en- in and his suspicious were aroused
by this unusual request. Her face,
however, was 80 patiently guileless as
he had ever seen it, 80 he accepted
her suggestion.
Hustle and get ready, then" said
the ordinary man, "and I'll help you
get fitted 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 ready made.
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 half
q dozen suits.
DO you call those simpler" in
quired the ordinary man, wondering
ly, almost sarcastically
They're the simplest we have at
that price" returned the saleswoman,
politely. as she removed the offensive
suits without displaying them and
went in search of others.
Those were $685. murmured the
little woman thoughtfully.
The ordinary man said nothing, but
In his mind he was busy figuring an
approximate cost of the trimmings
and of the labor of putting them on
and deducting the whole from $35.
He nodded his head wisely.
The saleswoman 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 col
ored Innings and the cut of the coats
was Of the most extreme pattern. Still,
they had none of that offensive and
expensive braid and
The meditations of the ordinary
man were cut short, for his wife whis-
pered softly, Those suits are $40.
dear"
1t staggered him to thina of the
price of velvet. Enough only for col
lar and cuffs it seemed, was worth
$40 over and above the price Of braid
with its application! He shook his
head in disapproval. Then, in we'll
controlled evaporation, he requested
the saleswoman to be so kind as to
let him see just a plain, simple, un-
adorned suit.
The saleswoman understood She
hurried away and soon returned with
single suit, held carefully on a
hanger.
That's something like!' exclaimed
the ordinary man, approximately, as his
eye took in the simple lines of the out
III, WIN KS llodllSll us ClOlu
collar and cuffs, its heavy, good wear
irg quality and it's all around COM
mon sense appearance.
That's what we've been looking
for" he commenced as his wife
slipped into the coat 1t fitted per-
fectly. 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
saleswoman, 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 ordinary man had recovered.
Then they walked silently to the ele-
vator.