Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-03-28
CAknotLToN, March 18th. 1916

Asssfs. Benson GResN:-I am at home, at
last. aner taking my pleasure excursion. as
called IT, before left home. which, by the by, was
considerably mixed. I now resume my rei,red
avocations, doing. as I think, . great deal at
times -occasionallv sporting with my dog and
gun, but more especially medtating about things
past and to come. There Is no subject that smu.
ses ones more than the one which has most EN-.
Ployed II. You are aware of the kind Of life that
l have lived-and many Of the plsasurcs attend
ing the same; and you may have some idea of the
kind OF pleasure now enjoy in my present retired
abode, but you have still less idea of what mostly
engaged my attention while on my last trip. II
was nothing more than to notice what changes
will take place in q short time. and the many
quaint ideas that my brother Merchants. at the
present time, make use Of, and publish to the
world, to bring themselves into notice. find
many retiring from business, as I learn, from
various causes; some from necessity and others
ifoma matter Of interest. while others are blow.
Ing away at desperate rate. They remind me
Of drowning men grasping at straws. 1t Is anus
ing to see their many little notices in the papers,
snd the 'cArds" stuck up at their doors--all to
attract the eye Of the customer. Your town has
some little Of the above "doins" - most inland
towns do have, but the way they do up things in
Glssgow, Is . "caution to Crockett" The Jews
and Gentes are sticking out their ''banners on the
outer WALL" and would have you believe there was
20 other house that had goods in them TO sell.
They even 60 so far. am told, a. to catch the
oxen BY the horns and stop them. Fur one Of our
up country gentlemen to be hailed by so imposing
q parsonage a. one that is accused, Is considered
very complimentary--andt to be invited into such q
hne and spacious room and TO be still more highly
honored BY an introduction to "Mr. Breeze"--a
gentleman from Cincinnati. who suits himself to
any company, is rather more than they can bear
You may know this "Mr. Breeze" is polished fell.
lou. fny / m fn1d that ha mai vor co1d
tlmes that they punch him with hit poker, and
at other times he has his visitors excited tina,
they are scarcely able to keep the little end down.
TO use Q common phrase.
They have many modes Of exciting trade; not
unfrequsntly. am told, when they catch one Of
our green boys. they bait him with small guam.
ety OF sugar that cost eight cents, for five. and
rs cents that cost % cents. aad the article il so
very strong that during that cold weather We had.
it hardly ever failed to crack the ug--if left alone
over night. And they will give must any price for
any merehantsbe article offered for sale, and sell
you goods on the same cheap terms above. How
they do this, and make profit: as they certainly
do. for they are always building fine houses.
can't conceive This system of finance was not
known in my days of mercantile life. Another
resort I'll mention. small trade was made,
while was down, about small lot of dry beef
hides bought BY one of the cash stores; the sa me
having been bought previously too. by another
man; but TO stop the trade was the game. "Mr
Breeze" was introduced. he was IN fine spirits
and there was no get off from him; he gave cents
per h., something more than the seller was to
get, and promised him the cheapest bargains in
the town; the trade was made. the hides were
weighed, and, to the establishment of the seller.
los. some Is per cent he doubling the correct
ness Of the scales, mounts On himself, and had
gained some three pounds since he he had left
al. ,-ht IL IL. IL
l think myself he certsinly improved by the trip
and should be persuaded to try it again. Prob
ably the loss in the hides may be accounted for by
the gain. AN EX-MERCHANT.