Jumble Sales.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 996, 3 April 1891, Page 5

Jumble Sales.

Tliß American, or jumble sale, is becoming gradually more general, especially in poor districts. They may be called bazaars for the poor, for it ia only the very poor who patronise them, and most willingly, too. Ihey ar “ the means of effecting a clearance of odds and ends (rubbish, most housewives and servants would consider) in houses, and of giving pleasure to many a poor soul; for these sales are crowded, looked forward to, and eagerly dieeussed. Every purchase is carefully thought of, every article persistently bargained for, often hotly contested, and critically examined. In Edinburgh a successful one recently took place on quits a large scale, and the ladies who Undertook it Bay that they could have disposed of their dilapidated wares over and over again had they had more at their command. Nothing comes amiss, nothing is refused, and everything is bought up: It is difficult to say wliat is not among the contributions—old furniture of all kinds (even chairs minuS ii leg or two), kitchen utensils (broken or bent), cliiUd and glass, jugs without bandies, cups ditto, old KOttlSsy teapots, gallipots, ornaments of all kinds, clothes of all kinds (from the oldest boots and shoes), rags of flannel and old linen, old, curtains, chair covers, table cloths, quilts, bits of carpet, matting, wall papers, pictures, old sowing machines, iron, artificial flowers and fSathei'Sj old dolls, and all sorts of toys (none too bad). In fact, nothing comes amiss ; and if a few things fairly good—packets of sWeets, worsted socks, stockings, shawls, comforters, &o.—are sent with the other things, the gratitude and pleasure is great. A friendly auctioneer, accustomed to this style ot purchase and customer, will generally price the goods so as to give the stall-holders an idea of the value ; but his prices are higher —low as they seem than can be got. The best time is the evening. The clergyman is generally present, and often the auctioneer and others. Correspondents who so often write for new ideas for bazaars will do well to note the above account.