The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-07-09

common aud approved tricks Of trade.
And not only does competition force him
into the common channel, but he finds
it necessary, in order 10 meet the sharp
practice" Of his customers, TO tell smooth
fbs, to gloss over the poor qualities Of
his articles. to sci prices from which he
expects to fall, to perufe his soul in
swearing to the cost Of his merchandise,
&c, &c.
And yet we are inclined to believe that
in this matter, greater fault pertains to
the purchaser than the seller, for the
merchant would find it far more conven-
lent to demand and receive a fair, but
moderate profit on his wares. such as
every honorable minded purchaser would
be willing 10 pay. There is, however,
large class Of purchasers, nd,-we
regret that we are compelled to say it,
many such are to be found among the
i"' ocA, WIN Hiust DC dSsuTeu mat tney
are buying articles a little 6elow cost, or
they are not satisfied with their bargains.
We fancy that it is not uncommon for
beautiful woman to boast little on her
return from shopping tour. of having
purchased goods for less than their real
value. Aud how many there are Of
both sexes, who would deem il unady.
like or ngenlemanlke to take from
another their property in an unlawful
manner, but who make it point to
screw poor tradesman down to starva-
ton prices, or to force him to lie until
they believe they have done so, before
they will buy his wares. How often haa
woman boasted thus Of her petty tri-
umphs over merchant, who las perhaps
actually sacrificed his property to gain
present means Of paving rent, or sup>
plying some pressing wants Of his family.
and who has at length been obliged to
succumb TO the pressure which such a
system, combined with sharp competi-
tion, has brought upon him. 1t is this
mania for buying at cheap rates, which
produces so many lying signs. such as
Selling off at Cost" Selling at a
great Sacrifice to close a Concern"
Goods slightly damaged selling at Half
Price" " Runous prices for few days
only" etc. etc. l, is this mania which
has loosened the high principles Of hon
or. and strict regard for truth. which
should govern ladies' and gentlemen, un-
der all circumstances. 1t would seem
that in buying the merest superhuities.
persons of means should be content to
pay the full value of the articles, instead
Of prosecuting the business as if they
expected to make fortune, in specula.
ting with pocket mouey
Thi, evil strikes deep in society.
Children are brought up around tea>
tables, where very much OF the conver>
saton of their elders is calculated to give
them loose notions Of the morals of traf-
nc, and taint their whole moral nature.
They. in their turn, grow up, become
fashionable sharpers, and BY them this
system is Perpetuated, while some Of
them. perhaps. fall into fatal mistakes in
financial matters, and are consequently
placed ir constrained and uncomfortable
positions, for longer or shorter periods.
The evil OF which we have been speak.
ing. will not be abated, presently, We
fear, for men will sill continue to crowd
the mercantile profession. notwthstand-
ing huge proportion Of them fail. The
wrecks lying along the shore have no
warning voice for the thousands who still
rush on to destruction. Consequently.
they will continue to tempt the fair ladies'
with their superior goods at ruinous
prices" and the ruinous shopping sys-
TEN will be extended indefinitely. If
we might presume to advise our readers,
we would say, buy noihing that you do
not want. Make your purchases of hon
orable dealers. and insist upon paying
the full value OF the articles. lfyou do
les, than this. you will not obey the
golden rule of human conduct. and by
cheating the tradesman, you force him
to cheat other customers, or his creG>
tors, or beggar his family.