Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1854-12-20
Tit for Ta;-Trade in Russia.

which we find the following:
They have proverb in Connecticut that
" the best school in which to have boy learn
human nature, is to permit HIM to be a tin ped /
dler for few years. | think his chances for
getting "his eye-teeth cut " would be cqually |
grsat. in country barter store like that IN |
which was clerk. Many of our customers
were matters, and we took hats in payiAent for |
goods The large manufacturers generally |
dealt pretty fairly by us, but some of the smaller
Try occasionally shaved us prodIglously. There
probably IS no trade In which there can be more |
cheating than IN hats. IT hat was damaged !
" IN colorlng or otherwise, perhaps by cut OF |
halt foot in length, it was sure to be patched !
up, smoothsd over, and slipped in with others to
send to the store. Among the furs used tor the
nap of hats in those days, were beaver, Russia,
nuua, otter, coney, muskrat, etc., etc The
best fur was otter, the poorest was coney.
The matters mixed their inferior furs with
little OF their best, and sold us the hats for
"otter. We III return mixed our sugars, teas
and gave them the most valuable names 1t
was dog eat dog "-"ti for tat" Our cot
tons were sold for wool, our wool and cotton for
silk and linen; IN fact nearly every thing was
different from what it was represented The
customers cheated us in their fabrics we cheat
ed the customers with our goods Each party
expected to be cheated, if it was possible Our
eyes, and not our ca RS had to be our masters
We must believe little that we saw, and less
that he heard. Oar cal!cOes were all . fast
colors," according to our representations, and
the colors would generally run fast" enough
and show them tub of soap-suds Our ground
coilee was as good as burned peas, beans, aud
corn could make, and our ginger was toleruble,
considering the price of corn meal. The
FIR pL nffr do -
der wanted to trade with us for box OF beaver
hats worth sixty dollars per dozen, he was sure
to obtain box of coneys" which were dear
at fifteen dollars per dozen. If we took our
pay III clocks, warranted to keep good time. the
chances were that they were 10 better than
chest Of drawers for that purpose-that they
were like Pndar's raZOrs, made TO SELL" and
II half the number OF wheels necessary to form
clock could be found within the case it was
as lucky as extraordinary
Such a school would I" cut eye-teeth," but if
it did not cut conscience, morals, and nte gritty
ali up by the roots. it would be because the
scholars quit before their education was com
pleted
| On one occasion, a halter named Walter
| Dibble called to buy some furs from US. For
certain reasons was anxious to play Joke upon
him. | sold him several kinds of fur, including
|
" Russia" ] told hun we had none, but Mrs
Wheeler, where boarded, had several hundred
pounds.
"What on earth is u woman doing with Rus
STA y said he
| could not answer, but | assured him that
there were 100 pounds OF old Rushia, and $50
pounds Of young Russia in Mrs. Wheeler's
house, and under her charge, but whether it
was for sale could not say.
OF he started with view to make the pur-
chase. lie knocked at the door, Mrs. Wheeler,
the elder, made her appearance.
81 want to get your Russia, said the halter.
Mrs Wheeler asked him to walk in and be
seated. She of course supposed that h. had
come for her daughter " Rushia.''
"What do you want of RuShia !" asked the
: old lady.
. "To make hats" was the reply.
| ITO trim hats, | suppose you meant" re
spondcd Mrs. Wheeler.
"No, for the outside of hats" replied tn,
halter.
"Well, don't know much about hats" sal,
f the old lady, but will call my daughter"
PASSING into another room where "Rushll
the younger, was at work, she informed he
that man wanted her to make hats.
: "Oh, he means sister Mary, probably.
{ suppose he wants some ladies' hats, reptile
d Rushia, as she passed INTO the parlor.
4 "Ths is my daughter" said the old lady.
= 81 want to get your Russia, said he, address
: ing the young lady.
II a. suppose you wish to see my sister Mary
lr she is our millIner," sa id the young Rushia.
1t 81 wish to see whoever owns the property,
- said the halter.
Sister Mary was sent for. and soon made HI
10 appearance. AS soon as she was introduce
Us the halter informed her that he wished to BIZ
is her Russia"
O. "Buy Rushia - exclaimed Mary in surpris'
al don't understand YOU"
"Your name is Miss Wheeler, believe
M said the halter, who was annoyed by the diff
af Guilty he met in being understood.
no {" IL is, sir"
"Ah! very well. Is there old and youI
Russia in the house %
ng 81 believe there u.s." said Mary, surprised
all the familiar manner in which he spoke of Ii
nj mother and sister, both of whom were preset
ur "What is the price of old Russia per pound
asked the halter.
al believe, sir, that old Rushia is not
nd SALE" replied Mary Indignantly.
be We'll, what do you ask for young Russia
ZEN pursued the halter.
"Sir," said Miss Rushia, the younger sprir
ing to her feet, 'do you come here to ms
I"u defenceless females!' If you do, sir, we v
ty, soon call our brother, who is in the garden,
Ou- he will punish you az you deserve"
"Lades! - exclaimed the halter, in astoni
ment, "what on earth have done TO offt
. you! | came here on a business matter.
want to buy some Russia. | was told you
lay old aud young Russia in the house. indie
20 this young lady just stated such to be the IA
n but she says the old Russia is not for sale
An Now, If can buy the young Russia | want
EVIL do so--but if that can't be done, please to
use so and viii trouble you no farther
;" Q Mother, open the door, and let the gen
- man pass oat he is undoubtedly crazy" 1
Miss Mary. a.lsa oa' - aea.' '".i y
tord "By thunder II believe shall be if rem
In here long," exclaimed the halter considers
o. excited. al wonder if folks never do btsst'
tncoaa lfI8 no!aFes lar0a 3aat h9av8 !
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