Why Not a Hudson’s Bay Bonspiel Week?

IS it possible for the stores or other departments in the Company’s service to hold a Bonspiel, say in the last week of February, choosing some central point, Calgary, for instance. Curling has many fans amongst Hudson’s Bay men and some crack rinks could be assembled.

Could it not be arranged under the auspices of the H.B.A.A.A. and become a yearly event? As the rinks consist of four men only, could they not be spared during the Bonspiel period?

It would undoubtedly arouse much interest and enthusiasm in the Company and is good publicity too. Sweep hard, you curlers, and let’s have some suggestions.

As a starter, Calgary issues a challenge to any rink in the Service.–Calgary H.B.A.A.A.

A Noteworthy Event

BABY STODDART was the first arrival in Calgary in 1921. Roy Stoddart of the carpet department is the proud father of the fine son, who arrived at 7 a.m. New Year’s morning, and is the recipient of many useful gifts presented by the Calgary Herald and city merchants.

Random Shots

MISS PATTON, our hosiery buyer, says: “Window space, like hosiery, gets most attention when properly filled.”

MR. HERRING, in men’s furnishing department, says: “No wonder we can’t buy a cigar for five cents–look where the price of vegetables is.”

MR. McKERNAN says: “Speaking of women having more sense than men–did you ever notice that when the baby gets big enough to walk, father wants to give away the baby carriage, but mother puts it up in the garret?”

GEORGE GAULD expects to compete in the skating carnival, 1922. The new figures that George cuts while on the ice are somewhat sensational!

“STOP THE PRESS” FLASH.–Bud Fisher will wear that beautiful new tie on Easter Sunday. Bud always goes to Church “Easter Sunday.”

MRS. F. WALLIS, of the audit office, left the Store last month after four years’ service. On behalf of the staff with which she has been associated, Miss I. Dunlop presented her with a beautiful cut glass salad bowl.

MRS. M. MOODIE, of the office staff, is on a three months’ visit to Ireland. From letters received, she seems to be having a wonderful time.

MRS. McCRACKEN (nee Miss Watson), buyer of the ladies’ furs, is leaving after nearly seven years’ service.

She had a recent offer of a better position, and accepted it–she is going to devote her energies to looking after her husband and her home.

The best wishes of the whole staff go with her. Mrs. McCracken is to be succeeded by Mrs. Thorburn from the Winnipeg store, who is assured of a hearty welcome to Calgary.

January Dance Lively Affair

WITH plenty of “JAZZ” music and real girls who knew all about dancing and its inventor, the Calgary store staff held their monthly dance on January 19th, at Hickman Hall. With all the store boosters helping it along, it could not help but be a success and those who were present will tell you it was the best dance of the season. Our Calgary Editor, Frank Reeve, was the only one of the store managers present. He promises to bring more of the buyers and other store managers with him if he has to burn up his own gasoline to get them there. Our ever-smiling dining room manageress was in no small manner responsible for the success of the dance.

Calgary Boys Are Enthusiastic Curlers

By LOU DOLE

THE Calgary stores’ curling club, like everything under the direction of the athletic body of the big store, is an unbounded success. No game that one could mention is without its followers in our store and not only are they followers of the rock and broom game, the boys who have taken it up are good at it, at least they will say so and are willing to back up their assertions at any time.

Jack Smith is moving around the store with a lot of extra pep. He is skipping the only undefeated rink at present. Jack took the first game from our G.M. and the second round was also a win for him after a hard battle with Bill Cunningham. The following skips have broken even so far: J. M. Gibson, Bill Cunningham, Joe Marsh and Hutchinson.

A BOTTLE,

Two Calgary Girls–A Policeman–and the Boarding House Missus
By G. Brennand

SOME mixup–not the bottle and the girls, but the girls and the boardin’ house missus.

Miss “Joe” Hickey, who hails from Owen Sound, and Miss Irma Oliver, from the Gateway City, Winnipeg, came together in Mrs. Boyd’s invoice office. They decided to room together forever. If there is such a thing as two girls marrying–they married–and so one Wednesday afternoon they set out to seek lodging quarters. The first place they called, the woman looked them over and said, “Awa’ wi’ you! I’ll have no young and beautiful girls amucking up my parlor with their boy friends.” At the next place they were in luck. So the story goes, the boarding missus referred to above, welcomed them, welcomed them with the odor of Scotch and cloves.

They were to have the “two-room” suite in the attic, including use of the front “piazza.” Joe thought it was a cook stove and Irma giggled in delight; she thought it was a Christmas cake. So they moved in. As all “movings in” are dressed up by the imagination they were going to have such fun in this “dear” of a place–they talked of parties with coca-cola and everything!

Then they retired–poor Joe woke Irma up and said, “Did she (the woman of the Scotch and cloves) say this was a feather mattress?” Sleepily Irma said, “Yes.” Joe pushed Irma out on the floor. “You sleep there then, it’s my turn to sleep on the feathers.” In the morning, they broke the ice in the pitcher to get water. Irma said, “Not for me; ice baths may be well for Mrs. Blair, who has time to take ’em, but not for me, I’ve got that old card to punch!” With a dab here and a dab there of a little powder, they were away to work.

Coming home at night, bubbling over with anticipation and parcels oozing out of every pocket, they arrived in the “suite” with the piazza n’everything.

There on the mantel rested an empty Scotch bottle! Someone had removed the chair and the curtains. Evidently the bottle was left as payment. Poor Irma, through her tears, said, “Joe, this is no place for respectable folks, let’s move again.” The boarding house missus, who had been listening with her ear to the keyhole, tumbled in the door, for the lock was broken too, “I’ll hold your trunks,” and poor Irma blubbed, “When you button your coat your trunk is locked. So is mine. We’ll see if you will.” And away they went to the policeman on the corner. He said, “Go to the sergeant; I’ve troubles of my own.”

The sergeant said, “Pay your rent; then move.” And so they did! In the next episode of this serial, the young ladies, our heroines, are nestled peacefully in the folding bed that went with the Third Floor Back, in the Travers Block.

MRS. CLARKE, buyer of the ladies’ ready-to-wear, is at present in the East. She finds conditions there are a little difficult as to hotel accommodation. She has been able to pick up some very smart lines in coats, dresses and suits.

Mrs. Clarke writes that indications in New York point to a coat and dress season. Taffetas are also to be strongly represented.

IF ANY OF THE LADIES are in doubt as to the whereabouts of Joe Marsh at the dances we would advise them to look into the kitchen. No, Joe doesn’t stay there because he is tired–he’s fond of the lunch part of the dance.

CURLING has taken such a hold in the store that the fair sex are coming out at the next game with a couple of strong rinks. The girls have been reminded to get out the old style skirt and dig up their rubbers for the game.

WE ARE NOT GOING to mention any names, but we will say that she does the typing for our Associate Editor, and more than that, she is a real nice girl. The same girl wants to know why they turn out the lights for a moonlight waltz if they won’t allow you to get up just a little closer?

A HEATED DEBATE was started among the men on the sixth floor the other day, as to who is the most popular man in the store. After considerable argument, it was unanimously agreed that the porter who closes the windows at 5:20 was the lucky man. Ed. Note–(The Store closes at 5.30).

THERE’S A BIG WIDE SMILE wandering around in the wholesale tobacco department in these days, and if you should run up against it you’ll see behind it the happy face of Mr. Sadler.

Yes, sir, he’ll tell you, it’s the finest boy you ever saw, by heck, he’s so much like me you can’t tell us apart; furthermore, I’ve got money that says he’s the second 1921 baby in the Hudson’s Bay service, being born on January 10th last.

WE REGRET that Miss Finn and Mrs. Goodman of the ready-to-wear section are at present indisposed. Here’s hoping for their speedy recovery.