South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-01
THE THIRD YEAR


It was the morning Of their third
day in Paris that Helen started out to
shop. she had read and heard so
much OF the big Partisan bazaars that
she was athriu with eager eXpecta-
ton.
Better take in the Galleries La
fayette FIRST suggested Warren as
they left the hotel together. lou can
take a bus from there for the Bon
Marche."
Dear. wouldn't you have time 10 go
by the Lafayette with NETS only
hale past nine" pleaded Helen, who
dreaded starting out alone.
"AH right" goOd-naturedly, that's
not much out of my way. Hurry up
let's get this bus"
IL was going TO be another hot day.
There was still no relief from the heat
wave that had settled over Paris since
their arrival. But as Helen climbed
elaefully 20 the top Of the bus, the
thought OF the day in the Paris shops
made her unmindful OF the heat
There you are" Warren pointed
out huge building just ahead. From
the top futtered white banners and
flags lettered gayly in red. Galleries
Lafayette" Ii looked more like a
great exposition building than store.
But when they left the bus. Helen
was astonished 70 ind that all along
the sidewalk in front of the store
were stalls, piled high with the cheap
est kind OF merchandise.
There were tables Of crockery.
kitChenware, cotton dresses and
waists. and around each was a chat
tering crowd of FTenchwOmen pulling
over the goods. Large cardboard
signs-"50 centimes," Il frame =
francs''-were everywhere.
why. dear. would you think they'd
allow these push-cart peddlers outside
a reputable store? Why it's like a
cheap market place."
They're not push-cart peddlers." "
laughed Warren. This Is all part OF
the Galleries I4afayette-that's how
they sell their cheap goods our stores
have bargain basements-here they
have stalls outside the shop. Now I've
got 10 leave you. Don't OyerdO il and
get too tired. Better not be on your
feet too much this hot day"
She Is Lonely.
Helen's interest in the scene about
her soon banished the mOmentary
feeling OF loneliness as Warren disap-
peared in the crowd. For some time
she stood on the sidewalk watching
the stalls and the chattering, pushing
crowd about them. Warren was right
ln0ueSLiOndBlN
store for bare-headed French floor
walkers. with frOck coats and twisted
mustacheSs walked up and down the
sidewalk.
Although Helen had often heard
that the Galleries Lafayette was one
OF the best Paris shops this street sale
of goods made her most skeptical
But when she entered. she saw that II
was really a very beautiful store. In
the center was q great rotunda under
a crystal dome. An imposing marble
staircase with double escalatOrs led "a
the upper galleries
Everywhere was a lavish and seem
ingly haphazard display of goods. II
was all very different from a New
York shop. There seemed no aisles,
only a vast labyrinth of tables piled
with goods in chaotic disorder-the
most tawdry heaped carelessly with
the mos expensive. The confusing
display OF great quantities OF mer-
chandise the riot Of color, the crowd
the uproar and tumult were to Helen
most bewildering.
Hoping that the upper galleries
would be less crowded and tumultous
Helen made her way to the long line
of elevators. CHANGING over the direc-
tory of the floors, she located Lin
gerie" and "TrOusseaux."
French lingerie IS a luxury coveted
by every American woman, and as
Helen stepped from the elevator a.
the third gallery into what seemed 6
great exhibition of white goods hel
heart beat with expectation.
on every side was a network OF
tables and counters heaped with white
garTnents-chemisett jupOns and
robes de NUTS. Over the tables were
cards with Occasion" or "Grande Oc
casion," the French phrase for bar
gains.
Almost everything was hand en-
brOidered and mostly unlaundered.
the blue penciled tracing Of the pat
terms being still distinct.
Helen was surprised TO find tina
while even the cheapest garment
those as low as six or seven francs
were embroidered by hand, the gar
ment itself was made by machinery
the seams Carelessly stitched. and th'
buttons half off She thought of tn
poor women in the converts wher'
most Of this work is done. How
poorly paid they must be TO embroi
der such inferior goods
Ungainly Garments.
She looked first for some dainty
1ow-necked night dresses with shOr
calmly garments with high necks anC
long sleeves. Was this the much
Iauded Paris lingerie?
At last In some glass cases. wher,
the most expensive models we're dis
played she found some exquisite low
neck. short-sleeved gowns.
How much? Quel prinx?" Heller