Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-07-08
MltsteIloueous.
Good Bargains.
A SKETCH FOR PARENTS

The chronological Journal, in an article on
indirect lying and unfairness in business. thus
illustrates the danger of being too sharp in a
trade:
Go oht into the country, for example, to pnr-
chase a superior cow, and call on one Of the
honest sons of the soil, and it would not be
very difficult to find man who would show
himself as cunning and selfish as any trader or
manufacturer. Let us illustrate such an inter-
view by colloquy between citizen and a
farmer, and we beg Of the render to watch the
workings OF Secretveness 10 CRAFTY Acquis-
tiveness
Cltzen.--'I am in pursuit Of fine COW, and
understanding, at the hotel, that you kept large
flock Of very excellent ones, have called TO
look at them, and TO see if could make pur-
chase 10 please me. | am not very particular
us to price so bat obtain one Of the very
best"
Farmer" Well, yes, have a large flock,
and they have the reputation of being excellent.
They have cost me much care and pains in
their selection; but can't say as ! wish to sell
any of them. When man has a good article
which he wants to use, it is not well to dispose
of it,"
c." True; but would like to look at
them"
F." Oh certainly, will show them with
pleasure: but understand don't promise to sell
one at any price"
They 60 to the farm yard, and little son OF
the farmer follows to see and helr, and III doing
SO takes his first lesson in the tricks Of trade ;
for, be it remembered, that every act of the
parent stamps its impress upon the young mind ;
which becomes almost nefaceable.
C.-(Scanning lean, communicating ami
NAL, which, by the way, was one OF the best
mixers in the flock, and low in flesh from her
milking qualities, yet it was in early winter
when those qualities would not be apparent J
H What is that COW worth?"
F." suppose about twenty-five dollars"
On the elevated place stands a. large, Aeshy,
noble-Iooking COW, the poorest miIker Of the
whole, and fatbecause her food Went 10 flesh
rather than to miIk-catches the adniring eye
Of the inexperienced citizen, and he eagerly
inquiries, What will you sell that one for?"
F." Oh, don't say anything to me about
that cowi; she is II very peculiar one, and more
than that, che belongs to my wife. told you
| did not care to sell any, and this one | should
hardly expect to sell at all; besides, | should
not like to have my wife offended by selling
favorle of hers. John, turning to his boy
who is surprised to see his father hesitate a
moment about selling his miserable, vicious,
unruIy beast, whose small mess Of milk is as
thin as that sold by Messrs. Croton, Pump a.
Co., in New York. John, mother will be in our
hair if we sell Fill Pae'"
That name strikes the buyers ear just as it,
was intended to do, and he presses the farmer
for price.
F." will not say will sell her at any price
unless my wife will consent. don't believe in
family quarrels."
The boy, John is surprised at his fathers
reluctance to sci and emtertans not the slightest
doubt bnt what his mother will joyously consent
to the sale. The stranger is determined TO have
a price, and finally, the obliging farmer says
Nov, mind don't agree to sell at any price
without my wifes consent, and will set such a
price as will, doubtless, cool your ardor without
the necessity of calling my wife. Forty dollars
is the price"
c." Suppose we consult the good lady, ard
see what she will say? If she will consent,
will take the animal"
F." know what she will say, and if you
insist upon it, we will refer it to her."
They proceed to the house, the farmer taking
the lead to get the first word and the boy fol-
lowing, anxious to have his mother assent to the
sale and urge the bargain.
F." Well, mother, this gentleman is very
anxious to buy old Fill Pale,' and l told
him"
"Yes," interrupted the wife, in apparent
anger " and you told him he might have her
| warrent; it is just like you to sell tho best
COW we have. Well, do as you like We
might as well give up rrying to make butter ant
cheese altogether"
With a red face and an angry air, she leaves
the roun, sammng The door atlerher, " There, ,
saysfhe farmer" knew just how it would be-"
John, the honest boy, was astonished. liz
had heard that COW made the subject of censurt
10
for years by all the family; and now, when {
double price is offered for her, his father hold.
back and his mother gets angry. lie dom
understand il. No. indeed, poor boy, you don
understand it, but you are in fair way of doing
80. Wait little and you will be wise, ant
know more Of the world.
The stranger takes the bait, counts ont tht
forty dollars, and the farmer apparently draw.
back from it, saying, ! don't think ought tc
take the money, You had better not take tht
cow" All true, though not intended to be 81
regarded
lie takes the money, and the stranger departs
with his purchase. The mother returns, smin
like summers morning, The father chuck
ling over his money, says, with an arch winl
to his wife, 81 think when he has had that COW
halt as long as we have, he will be glad t,
tade less than half what he paid for herr
This unriddIes to the boys unsophistcatet
mind the hypocrisy of the whole transaction
and he shripks back from his parents as sche