Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-10-21
THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE SECTION


Chicago must be different.
The arrival was made on Saturday,
and Sunday was reserved for church
In the morning and sightseeing IN the
afternoon, but neither Pa nor Ma Sims
exactly enjoyed the morning services,
They missed the familiar faces OF their
friends, and the grandeur OF the build,
ing quite took their breath away, and
the cold glances from the artisticaliy
carved pews seemed to chill tnelr
bones. They both felt their age. Only
the usher seemed kind and his was a
sort of mechanical interest. In the att
ernoon, they wandered about like two
lost souls in purgatory. The never
ending stream of strange humanity,
the chances of amusement, or sc)rn. or
of plain bitter indifference. played
havoc with their hopes, and by night
the glamour of Chicago had waned IN
their hearts.
Monday morning early found them
standing before the door Of Harris Y
Hahn, that name which they had so
many times inscribed upon envelopes
holding the representation OF their
hard toll Here was where they were
to be welcomed. Pa Sims felt as If ne
himself were almost a partner IN tins
magnificent business, and why should
he not be? Had he not been faithful
to them for scores of years? Did not
his money help to keep up the estab-
lishment! When Mr.. Harris found
out what an old customer he was, i
was a certainty that he would be both
delighted and eager to give him a
hearty welcome The bigness OF the
building quite took their breaths away,
but they walked into the entrance
bravely, Pa Sims leading the way.
Speak for the white dress for Mary
Jane" whispered Ma nervously, as they
stood still staring at the long rows OF
girls who dotted the spaces which were
so filled with marvellous things that
Ma Sims held her breath. She almost
wished for the moment that they had
brought Mary Jane with them. 1t was
early. but already the aisles were filled
with purchasers, and the clerks looked
neither to the right, nor to the LETT,
but rested their eyes coldly upon all
alike. AS Pa and Ma Sims shuffled
I'D the aisle, little wave of smokers
followed in their wake, but they heard
them not, so engrossed were they with
the wonders of their discovery. Pres
emily there came to them man of
magnificent proportions and marvellous
clothes. He was rubbing his hands
and smiling, the first real welcome
since they had arrived in Chicago, the
city of their dreams. Surely, thought
Pa, this must be Mr.. Harris himself.
He was opening his mouth to ask the
question and explain his journey when
the beaming apparition forestalled him
by saying blandly while his eyes and
smile strayed on to the next corners.
Something in ready to wear? Tenth
story. Something in millinery Sev-
enth. Something in suits? Fifth
Elevator to the rear, right"
Without giving them chance to
say more, he hurried on to the next
in line, explaining, expostulating, ex-
horting. The crowd, which was now
increasing, showed Pa and Ma Sims
rearward, and what they supposed to
be Mr.. Harris was lost to their view.
After long and devious wanderings.
they arrived at the white dresses and
Pa managed to ask the saleslady #
she knew where he could find Mr..
Harris.