GEM'S LINES TO ELFRIDA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 341, 30 October 1908, Page 3

GEM'S LINES TO ELFRIDA.

DEAR ELFRIDA,— I't is pleasant now to recline in my own den, and jot down my impressions, experiences, and purchasings at the Economic's Great- Sale to-day.

It is an extraordinary event, and this store has to-day seen one of .the biggest crowds that has over thronged Et Wellington drapers' establishment. '

A great crowd awaited tho opening -of the doors, and by ten o'clock there, was scarcely breathing space.

I watched with real interest a hard-work-looking woman, who was. zealous of procuring a cream sergo costume at 395. 6d. One could easily see how amazed and delighted sho was with the out and style, for she was a. most eager, buyer.

It was necessary to decide smartly on anything you -fancied,'"for .there were so many ready to take - the. prize.

Elfrida! Elfrida! You should have seen the animation, of the people, and heard the ejaculations of surprise and delight!.

One small girl was bewildered because she was the-possessor of a delicate'white feather, boa, and had only to,pay 12s. 6d. for same. I may add I was inclined to break the tenth commandment, for she looked so radiantly pretty in its-soft fluffiness.

Snatches of conversation unavoidably reached my ears. '

A poor little body was well nigh to tears ; she nad seen-a blouse length of silk taffeta in blue, and wanted it, but while she was gently ._ fingering it, and hesitating', a most impertinent .piece of feminity had sna.tched it—and kept it I Oh, the boldness of her— the minx I ■

Three babies . cried their- hardest, left lonely in their -go : carts, whilst their mothers hunted bargains. -

Ono littlo cherub with tangled curls was sorely annoyed. Mother had left her on the stairs "till she got hack!" Cherub grew restless, and finally angered. "Mo .tell faverl" she lisped to thoso who passed her— the pet! The people were there, and they spent. "Plenty of ready money," said a lady assistant in reply to an inquiry. " Well,-EliFrida, we. are'-.led tp' believe by our most respected petal that money is tight, hut I verily. believe 'tis a fablo, for there was.no end of cash at the sale-to-day.-I invested 'half of, my' fire pounds;. the other, goes, I- suppose, to-morrow. I bought a.,cream, alpaca dust, coast for 9s.'lid.; and a cream voile skirt at the samo price—it is a very graceful cut, and has a decided swing of its own. The ribbon and lace .department was in a flutter 1 Even, with all the oxtra assistance, they could not copo with-the rush—it was an onslaught, a triumph! To be in the thick of a, Happy, animated crowd always impresses me strangly. I wanted to sing—anything stirring, even the "Hallelujah, Chorus" would have done— although it may strike you that one voice would be hardly adequate for its success! Wish you' were here-to join me in' the fray I, What fun! .Affectionately, GEM. ■