Somebody must have sold my name to a
mailing list, for I get at least one mail-order catalog a week. Some
come in wrappers, but most come unwrapped, with wrinkled covers and
turned corners. Many people complain bitterly when they receive
these unrequested catalogs. I do not. I love to look through them
when they first arrive, and sometimes I surprise myself by ordering
some of what they offer. I bought a cotton sweater from an order
house in Connecticut because I liked the color. I purchased a
three-legged stool and a pair of candleholders from a place that
claimed to make "authentic colonial reproductions." I was
not sure if the designs were authentic, but I liked them anyway.
From an import house, I ordered a set of refrigerator magnets that
look liked brass letters for typesetting. I even ordered a
"Neurotic State University" T-shirt from a sleazy novelty
catalog. I suppose that I am one of those curious consumers who keep
mail-order houses in business. I enjoy my surprise mail and look
forward to my "wish books" from Yankee Clearing House,
Orient Express Imports, Novelty Products, and the others. Keep them
coming.
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