Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 170, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1919 — A SHOPPING SPREE [ARTICLE]

A SHOPPING SPREE

By LYDIA L. ROBERTS.

(Copyright, 1919, by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) Mrs. Barton shut the front door with a satisfied bang and hurried down the steps. Her next door neighbor tapped on the window and came to the door. “Are you going shopping, Anna?” she asked. “Lucky woman’ - I want to go, but I haven’t any money. If only prices weren’t so high. I just love to go on a shopping spree, but I can’t this week.” “Come with me today, Alice,** laughed Mrs. Barton. “Have you thirty cents you can spare?” “Yes, of course, I have that much, but—” . “Come along quick, then, for that’s my spending money today. I admit I’m going on a shopping spree, but remember this is not before the war but after; a sort of a post-war, moneyless spree! I’m off for three hours, while mother takes care of the children. I need a rest and a change and some variety.” “Going to get it for thirty cents?” teased Alice. “Yes, indeed, and so are you; but you must do exactly as I say.” When they left the train and got on the boat Alice Brown started to go inside. “Come out,” insisted Anna. “Remember, we are out to get some air,” Alice hurried for the car after they got off the boat, but her friend smilingly ■pulled her coat. "We’re housebound home makers, my dear, out for exercise and air, and we get it by walking and saving our carfare.” “Our first stop on this tour," chanted Anna as they reached the shopping district, “is before the window of this big grocery store. Isn’t it a picture! .“I do wish our grocers would take hints from these artistic fruits in here and make their windows pretty and sunshiny,” said Alice. “We will now turn into one of the little narrow streets that holds great treasures in small spaces,” continued. Anna. “Here is a store full of exquisite butterfly artcraft. Talk about colors! Look at the shimmering lights on that one butterfly wing I” “Press your nose close to this big window pane and gaze at the wonderful paintings,” commanded Anna as. they walked on. “The next store gives you the latest news in books.” “Oh, bless ’em, see the puppies I**! cried Alice at the next window. “Five little curly haired puppies, all white, too, and a box full of bunnies and some dear little white kittens. I must bring the children in to see these cute, frolicsome animals and I’ll make up bedtime stories about them.” “Come,” said Anna, “there’s another street near here w r here we can see weaving done and the beautiful arts and crafts work and a big florist shop.” As they came to the flower store Alice stopped. “Anna, dear, that one window alone is worth coming to see!” she exclaimed. Annn nodded and they stood silent before the loveliness of the massed calla lilies in deep blue bowls and jars standing in the dull green and delicate yellow background of other plants. “The most beautiful lily in the world,” said Anna, “and I never saw enough of them before.” “White calla lilies in a quaint blue bowl Bring joy to the eyes and peace to the soul.” With sighs of satisfaction finally the friends turned away. “I hate to bring you down from the heights of poetry and lilies, dear,” said Alice, “but I’ve just remembered that I need some closet hooks.” “I’m down on the ground again. Well, my practical friend, you may spend just ten cents and get your old hooks,” laughed Anna. As they came out of the store Anna met a friend and they stood talking a few minutes. "I’ve been buying postcards,” the newcomer said. “I buy them wholesale and sell retail to the girls in the office and put the profits in our sickness fund. Then if a girl is out sick we use the money for flowers or fruit for her.” “Let me see them,” said Anna. T need a few now and I can spend just one dime. Because,” she explained, “we are out shopping with our eyes, buying goods that cost nothing. “I have six cents left, besides my carfare home,” said Alice as they walked along. “Yes, we will spend that right here, replied Anna, stopping before a tiny store. “We are a little tired from walking, sq much and need a nice cup of Coffee and cream. Sit down in comfort and refreshments will now be served.” When they were Tested Anna said, "Now it is time to get our train.- The children will be coming home from school and we must be back on our jobs again.” “I’ve had a lovely time, dear,” earnestly said Alice. “I never dreamed I would get so much enjoyment for thirty cents. Fourteen cents for carfare, ten cents for our purchases and six cents for refreshments Is some spree!” * “Before the war,” answered Anna, "a shopping spree meant candy, flowers, expensive lunch, things we might use, etc. But now we cheerfully get our air and lilies and exercise for thirty cents and give the rest to Uncle Sam for bonds and Thrift stamps and the Red Cross.”