A MAN SHOPS.

Evening Star, Issue 12871, 21 July 1906, Page 5

A MAN SHOPS.

THINKS HE CAN DO IT BETTER , THAN A WOMAN. “John,” said Mrs Bassett, as they sat at breakfast in their pretty ..suburban home, “we must have a, new hoc. Shall I write to Moneymaker's for one, or will you go np there to-day and get one? 5 ’ i “I’U go and get it, my dear. A hoe is rather an important implement, and should be carefully selected.” At noon, therefore, Mr Bassett went into town to Moneymaker’s great .establishment —one of those vast places where they provide everything from a. torpedo to a. tooth-pick—-and inquired of the affable floorwalker where he might find boos. “Street floor, third room to the left, - was the reply, and John Bassett marched on, thinking how much more methodically a man shops than u woman. But when he reached the cocater he saw nothing but stockings. “ I bog pardon,” be said to the pour]laboured saleslady ; " I was nwsUkcnfly directed. I wish to seo hoes.” “Hera, sir,” said the pompadoured one. “ Eigbbeenpcncs a pair.” “Oh,” said Mr Bassett, a light breaking in on him, “I don’t mean, that kiaid of hose. I mean just common, ordinary UOV.S.” “ Tltcso are the cheapest w« g]r.” “ But I want hoes ; I donT want a .pair* I only want one.” , The girl started, “ We never separate a pair of hose, sir.’* “If you did, would they be half-hose?” said Bassett, unable to quell his humorous instinct. A train the salesgirl Glared haughtily, and Mr Bassett hastened to add: “ 1 beg your pardon, Pm sure. I don’t mean this kind of hose at afi. I mean garden hoes.” “Yon could wear this kind in the garden,” said the gttrL, aoaommodatingiy, and •Bassett turned away in despair. “ Look here,” he said to a floor-walbcq “can’t you toll me where to find hoes—< garden hoes, you know, to use in the country, in a small garden.” , “Certainly, .sir. You’ll find what you want in th' basement at the foot of those stairs.” Downstairs Bassett marched, and after arriving at the department indicated found himself surrounded by ai fine assortment of large reels of rubber hose. “Where can I find hoes?” he exclaimed, gazing at the shopman in exasperation. “Here. sir. Will you have black rubber, brown rubber, or electric hosse?” “ Nob that kind. I mean hoks for a garden, you know.” ■* “ Yes, sir. This is our best garden hose.* John Bassett looked haul at the shopman. “ Never mind,” ho said. “ I’ve decide?! I don’t -want to 'look at hoes, after ill. Pm going to Inly a rake.”