SHE WISHED TO PURCHASE A BOX OF CIGARS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 26, Issue 63, 3 August 1915, Page 7

SHE WISHED TO PURCHASE A BOX OF CIGARS.

’Twas just a few days before his birthday. She walked into the smokers’ emporium with nervous diffidence "I would like to get a skein of cigars.”

‘‘You mean a box, I suppose'?” ‘‘Yes, if that is how you sell them.”

“Do you wish anything special ?” "No. nothing special ; but they’re for smoking, you know.”

The salesman smiled, "Do you desire a strong or a mild cigar ?”

"Very strong. I want them to last. The box I bought a year 1 ago commenced to fall apart after my husband had them about nine months. I think they were too weak.”

The young man took a few boxes from the case and opfened them for the woman’s inspection. "Are these the only shades you have ? I would like something lighter to match our wall paper.” The salesman picked out box after box until the counter looked like an Egyptian pyramid. At last she selected a box, saying : “These won’t facie, will they ?”

Again the young man smiled. "No, ma’am ; they are made of the purest Havana tobacco.” ' "Do you think I could have my husband’s monogram engraved on each cigar ?”

"No, lady ; the cigar wouldn't draw.” "Wouldn’t draw what?”

“I mean it wouldn't pull well." "But I don’t want them to pull anything ; I want them for my husband to smoke.” The man behind the counter grew impatient. “Haven’t you a box with a prettier picture on it ? Let me see that one with the forget-me-nots on a Japanese fan.”

“But, madam, your husband isn’t going to smoke the box.” “I Am aware of that, sir ; but it looks horrible to have some Spanish general’s picture or some ballet dancer’s physiognomy lying on the library table.-1 like this picture." “But that is a different brand of cigars.” "Couldn’t you put those cigars in that box, and the cigars ,in that box you could put ” “No, no ; we are not permitted to do any such ‘presto-change’ work in this shop. Here is a pretty box marked Henry Clay.’ ’’ “But that is such a commonplace name. Haven’t you any called ‘Vivian de Haven’ or Reginald de Vere,’ or some name of higher rank ?’ “No, madam ; we do not sell rank cigars in this place. There are no such brands. Do you wish the box you have in your hand ?” “I hardly know which cigars to take. These have such a strong scent. Haven’t you any that emit a sweeter woma ?”

The assistant answered abruptly:— “No, can I sell you anything ?’’ “Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do ; if you’ll just give me a sample of each, I’ll let you know ” But just then the man slammed the boxes back into their places, told

the woman that she was iff a shop and not in a dry good* store, and advised her to go to some pork butcher’s and get a few hams for her husband to smoke.

The woman went out to get a police' man, but evidently got lost.