A Chat with a Draper.

Manawatu Herald, 27 October 1898, Page 3

A Chat with a Draper.

The other morning on entering Mr Edmund Osborne's drapery store we saluted the proprietor with the remark that his store looked terribly untidy, and asked the reason why it was bo, " Well, you see," he said ** We have not done marking off , our new season's goods, and really Ido not know where to place them. As a positive fact I can tell you I wish the shop was twice as large, as then we could show our good 3to ad • vantage." We have a very trusting countenance, but something in its expression, after the above statement, caused Mr Osborne to again assure as that he was terribly hampered for room, and seizing our arm took us from counter to counter, and from centre table to the dim recesses of the shop, and bade U9 gaze on the goods all piled one on top of another, and most, apparently, incongruously mixed up. After that we prepared to beat a retreat but that was not Mr O?borne's intention to allow us to do so, and having got the fly into his parlour he was determined we should not go empty away as far as knowledge of the drapery business, as conducted at the centre of Commerce, was concarned. Having erred in our first address to the proprietor we felt bound to do him justice with our readers. " Just look at these dress stuff.-: thrown over the rail, they have not, yet been set out, and are eveu inside out " said Mr O9borne, " simply because we have not had time." We ventured to suggest that time should be made as they looked far better with their proper face to tbe front. We ascertained that probable buyer? had their ateention called to their beauty, even though so unattractively shown. " You know, we don't dres? out the shop in the proportion to the stock we keep " said the proprietor, to which we accorded a very emphatic assent, as it was so obvious. •• Now, just look here, you wouldn't really belive it, but here are roils of Bilesia which we are able to sell at 2fd per yard, which is the wholesale prioe, but then, you know, we got them in a job line." Again we were taken to a pile of prints and were told "These prints can't be beat, as we are selling them at sixpence a yard, and there is nothing: in New Zealand to touch them." We said " very likely " but as we know nothing about prints our opinion is not of much value, but it satisfied the proprietor that he was talking to someone who knew a thing or two. It is a great point to please everybody. "I muN; tell you about, an^exceptionally cheap line of small boys and suite, made of light tweed. The season is just right for this stock to go slick off." Because we suggested that others besides email boys would be likely to travel to the Bands this summer, what with the steamer excursions and a good road, Mr Oaborne took advantage of this oP^ning to show us " very cheap tennis suits, only ICh 6(1, and a line of serge trousers at 4s lid a pair. These last suitable for engineer.?, shearers, and farmers." Really when once Mr Osborne gets hold of an apparently sympathetic listener to his tale of goods it is hard to tear oneself away, because he does not like to lose you. We remarked with if start, time and again that we had an important engagement to keep, but the insinuating statement thai " 1 should like jas»t to show you a few of our splendid lines in boy's suits," or •• Have you seen our collection of ties? " «'No ! why thpn you should have, as we bold the very largest selection, some 100 doz°n to choose from." We entered on other business than that of handing part of our capital to tbe proprietor of thr> (lentrp of Commerce though we did -jpot tell him so, thus we did not purchase even a tie. Out of pure wicknesa we asked, just to see how it

would open up the flow of language, whether the establishment had an] ladies hats ? Mr Oaborne did nol faint, he required all his breath foi his description of the beautiful " creations." It appears that ladies hats are one of the things the proprietor of the Centre of Commerce prides himself on keeping a firat-clasE stock of, so we had all particulars, rapidly and exhaustively. Ladier hats, English trimmed are to be pur chased at reasonable prices, but are not displayed to view, these delicate " confections " being kept in tinned trunks and are mentioned to probably buyers, who are then premitted to look, admire, and purchase. " Well really Mr Oaborne you have been kind, but we really must 30 " we said and as a parting word Mr Osborne desired that our readers would take an interest in the town and a pride in being able to purchase what they require without sending outside. " We have as good things in Foxton and as cheap as can be had anywhere " said Mr Osborne " and so I make it my business to have everything people want."