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Show A PAIR OF SiLK STOCKINGS. The I'MK'i-ienco of u Komi tlrotlu-r Who Wauled to Surprise 11.8 Sister. For weeks I had been pimzlniE; over a commencement citt feir mv sisie'r. who was soon to graduate, when a lett-T from mv mother made me decide unon. a pair of silk stockings. Tlio thought that I should have an v trouble in buvintr a pair of silk stockings never crossed mv mmd. and it was with a feeling of confidence that I entered one of the largest dry goods houses m tne citv. A floorwalker inquired what I wanted, and directed me to the -third counter to the left, down four rows." and waved his hand m a general wav. After some wandering I found the third counter to the left, down fonr rows. and to the young man who presided behind it said that I wanted to see some stockings. Yes. sir: you mean socks. - ISo. silk stockings." said I. and I felt that the suggestion of a blush was hanging hang-ing on mv manly "brow. Tts socks, sir: socks, sir. " reiterated the clerk. "But I want them for a ladv." and as I said these words I grew red. Hie clerk looked at me and then said: H-m-m oh. vesl Fourth counter to the right, down two rows." It was a young lady who stood behind this counter, and she maintained a stonv silence until I asked her to show me i some silk stockings. j YS lute or colored?" "YVhy. I hadn't thought of that! Which would vou suggest: ' But this question seemed to freeze her. for she again relapsed into silence. "Y hich is the fashionable color for ladies." I went on. bound to treat the matter as a mere business transaction. --I mean, do young ladies usually wear colored stockings.- Tins seemed to make matters worse, for the young woman glared at me. I thought that perhaps I had made a mistake mis-take about color, and so I continued: YYell. after all. I guess white will do. Jnst wrap me up a pair of your best wmte silk stockings." "YV ill you have clocks." she deigned to ask. "No. not clocks stockings." and I looked at her m blank amazement. "I mean, will you have them clocked or not clocked." Is ow 1 hadn t the ghost of an idea what she was driving at. but dtdn t intend in-tend to confess my ignorance. A brrjrht idea struck me. "If you were bnvmg them for yourself, which would you prefeT?" "What?" "I meau. if if vou were me. which would you prefer.'" The look m her eves I interpreted to mean. "Go no further, sir: I regard vonr remarks as offeusivelv personal. bo I went no further ana said I would take them without clocks, lly sister had a watch, and she could get along very well with that. YV hat size.A was the young woman s next inquiry. "Oh. the usual size for young ladies." said I. You must be more exact, sir," sho said. Well, she that is. the person who is to have these stockings is about five feet high. Oh. she is just the size of most young ladies. - fohe is no larger than vou are. Is ow. what size do you think she d j wear: - "fcur. I clon t know." I But I am not going on with this pam-1 ful narration. All men who have been in the same hx will appreciate mv feelings. feel-ings. At length, however. I could stand it. Tin lnnuoi- onfl T Wnrrpii nut tliat. T wanted a pair of silk stockings for my sister as a commencement gift, that I was walling to pay for them, but I didn t know anything about buying them. Then the young woman relented and m her sweetest voice suggested she wrap up a pair of of the best stockings, and that I write to my sister that if thev didn t fit she could exchange them. This I did. but the sun will rise in tho west before I buy any womans stockings again. Cor. ISi ew Y ork Recorder. |