Evening star., 1927-11-16


| general title of The Human Comedy" The
| present episode is taken from the sketch
| called Comedies of the Counter }.
An Fnglishwoman got out Of hired
conveyance and entered the shop. A
clerk bearing strong resemblance to
| Lord Byron advanced.
Does madame desire an Indian
shawl or French one-a high-priced
article or one"
II will see"
Turning to take the shawls and
show them. the clerk glanced at his
comrades in a way which meant
"What bore"
These are our finest Indian sha wis
all at 10000 francs each. Here are a
few at 5000, and we have some also
at 5000"
The Englishwoma glancing around
through her lorgnette. gave no sign
of either approval or disapproval
"Have you any other?" she asked
"Oh, yes" answered the clerk
But perhaps madame is not quite
sure she wishes to buy shawl"
Yes. I'm sure that's what ] want. -
The clerk brought three shawls of
less value than the others, hut he dis.
played them as though they were
worth more. He said they We're more
expensive and explained that they had
just arrived by couriers specially sent
from Lahore. The EngliShwoma n
seemed to like these best.
what price," she said. pointing ia
a sky-blue shawl decorated with birds
sitting on pagOdas.
Seven thousand francs"
She took the shawl and wrapped it
around her. looked at herself in the
glass and said as she gave it hack
"No, I don't like it,
A long quarter of an hour passed
in equally vain experiments. The
clerk said they had nothing more and
glanced at his superior.
Madame is difficult to please, like
every one who has real discrimina
ton" said the proprietor. coming for
ward
The Englishwoman surveyed the man
| from head to foot through her lor
Cnette.
II have but another shawl" said
| the proprietor, "and it is one that
almost never display. No one has
ever liked it, you see. 1t is a yer,
strange-shall I say odd?-shawl
Only this morning l thought 7 might
make present of it to my wife. We
have had it since 1SO5--it originated
with the Empress Josephine.
SHOW it to me-"
A clerk was sent for the shawl
That the Englishwoman vas ready tc
see 1t was in sense a victory. for she
had been about to leave the shop.
ut cost 10000 francs originally
madame-from Turkey" said the pro
| prietor.
'1ndeed"'
Yes. 1t was one of the sever
| shawls sent by the Sultan Selim tc
the Emperor Napoleon. The Empress
Josephine--as capricious as her kind
| usually are-eXchange it for one OF
the others brought by the Turkish
Ambassador, which my predecessor
here had meanwhile purchased.
have never been able to realize on it
for in France there are no ladies
wealthy enough. The price of this
| shawl is only 1000 francs. Still, it's
worth more than twice that, if you
take into account the interest-ah
here 1t is, madame"
The proprietor opened with a tiny
key a square box of cedar wood. the
shape and simplicity of which appear
ed to impress the Englshwoman
The box was lined with black satin
The proprietor lifted out shawl
worth possibly 1900 francs. of a gol
den yellow. with black emblems. The
startling colors were surpassed only
by the fantastic Oriental designs.
Splendid" said the Englishwoman n
1T is really fine: That is my idea
Of shawl-it is very wonderful
"The Emperor liked that sha wi very
much" said the proprietor. He usec
| it himself"
Himself" she repeated.
She took the shawl draped it abou
| her, and looked at herself. The pro
prietor then carried the shawl to the
| light, handled it, shook it out, made