The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-02-18

tlme and nad them done IN SCp2l ~"
packages.
IN HEAVY PAP7R.
Helen had heard Warrens amused
comments on the heavy brown PAPER
with which the Englishman does no
all his parcels. Yet she was amazed
to- see them wrap up these small
toilet things in paper dark and heavy
enough for "a hardware store, and
tie them with coarse twine making
the inevitable loop by which they
carr yall packages.
Then, dangling her purchases with
an air of triumphant defence, she
started off again for a further eXplo-
ration of the shops.
That evening she told Warren Of
her ruse, and laughingly assured him
f.; that she intended to leave the pack
! ages unopened and carry them again
tomorrow, SO that she might make the
/ rest Of her purchases after a mere
leisurely survey.
Warren threw back his head and
roared.
| by George Helen's developing a
sense of humor. Well, if you can
side-step the English f1oor-walker and
|
better than most Americans. Some
afternoon | will meet you early and
we will have some fun. Want to get
a raincoat and some shirts over here;
we will go to one or two places and
have them pull down lot of stuff
and then walk out without buying a
farthing's worth. lingo, they will be
mad with an appreciative chuckle.
But, Warren, that would not be
fair"
why not? OF course it would be
fair, and a darned good lesson for the
shopkeeper. Teach him thing or
SO. They have an idea that Americans
must buy the first thing they look at
and pay stiff price for it, too"
"Oh, that's what I wanted to tell
you," interrupted Helen eagerly.
Things don't seem cheap at all. Per
haps I haven't been to the right stores
but almost everything I've seen
could get at home for the same price
or less"
cheap. 1t used to be. When l was
over here seven years ago things were
about half of what they are now. A
man was telling me just today that in
the last six months there's been a big
advance in all merchandise.
But, dear, every one at home
thinks things are cheaper over here.
You know Mrs. Stevens asked me to
buy her some silk stockings. She gave
me only SO for a dozen; and / could
get a good quality for that But
can't 1 can't get the stockings she
wants for less than five shillings-
$1.25 a pair-and 1 hate to go back
without them"
well, l shouldn't hate to go back
without them. These people who're
always sending over for things every
time a friend goes to Europe ought to
get left now and then. It's blamed
cheeky-that's what it is. Expect you
to spend your time and wear yourself
out and get no thanks for it. They're
never satisfied with what you buy;
always think you could have got it
cheaper or better If you'd looked
further. And l suppose you want tC
take present back to everybody yo1
; know? That's another fool idea"
Not everybody, dear; but there're
few that I'll have to take some little
/ thing to-they'll expect it,
, well. I'd give hem a jolly good dis
appointment. Take something tc
, mother and Carrie, and to your moth
er, and let the rest go. It's an infer
: nal nuisance, this rushing around and
: breaking your neck trying to get ev
J erybody something. Now take my ad
vice and cut it. Write EN- few post
cards and let it go at that"