Synopsis

WAS going into town one morning from my suburban residence, when my wife handed me a little piece of red calico, and asked me if I would have time, during the day, to buy her two yards and a half of calico like that. I assured her that it would be no trouble at all; and putting the sample in my pocket, I took the train for the city. At lunchtime I stopped in at a large drygoods store to attend to my wife’s commission. I saw a welldressed man walking the floor between the counters, where long lines of girls were waiting on much longer lines of customers, and asked him where I could see some red calico. “This way, sir.” And he led me up the store. “Miss Stone,” said he to a young lady, “show this gentleman some red calico.” “What shade do you want?” asked Miss Stone. I showed her the little piece of calico that my wife had given me. She looked at it and handed it back to me. Then she took down a great roll of red calico and spread