New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-07-20
Number remaining July IA, 1850.
CITY ITEMS.

VISIT TO THE MOCK-AUcTIoN SBoPs.-During my
shor stay in this city have frequently passed one OF
the mock.auction shops dsgaceful to the Municipal
Government Of this commercial metropolis. Day after
day noticed the bogus bidders grouped in front
of the same counterfeit auctoneer. There stood the
man with straw hat snuff-colored coat and high
shirt collar, "cbeek by jowl" with the fellow whose
face had been coloTed by the use OF logwood aud
whisky, and other dyestufs; near by stood dapper
little chap with brown beard and buermilk eyes, aud
at the entrance the beet dressed man in the company
sparked with god--tba is If all be gold that 9ters
Prompted by curiosity, determined to hale moment
and hear their gbbersh and witness their movements.
Soon as | stepped upon the threshold, the bidding
assumed lively tone. The man with the pug nose
and large eyes made bid, and the auctoneer brought
bis hammer TO the counter, with conclusion that
made the room ring again, shouting at the top OF his
voice, Going going! going gone! and the purchaser
paid his bill pocketed bis watch-and watched my
pocket These sharIers glanced at me now and then,
and evidently came to the conclusion they had
pigeon to pluck. Another watch was Immediately put
up, and was politely invited to examine it. did so,
and found was like the face of the auctioneer very
brassy and thought ought to be down. and that
the salesman ought to be wound up; that he like the
watch should put bis hands on bis face for very shame,
for be lied almost fast as the timepece could tick.
His lies were not little white ones bat great black,
and bouncing lies, uncous with fairness, and they
came freely as thou h used to the passage Several
bids made but the auctoneer stopped the sale IN
dispust because would not venture to make bid.
He said there would be more sales that day. aud dis
missed me with allow. Half an hour afterward he was
railing off bis lies at the usual speed. l next visited
a shop, where young and good-looklng man, win
fine talents and noble head of hair for that business
exerted his best efforts to make SALE His accom-
plices were suddenly and deeply interested IN the
watch whose works he desired me to investigate. AT
this instant he caught glympse OF my paper ana
Mcneil and at once "a change came DER the spirit OF
his dream Had / pointed pistol at his heart ne
could not have been more Disconnected and alarmed
Nv pencil was TO bin what the spear OF lthural was
TO the toada touch revealed the bad spirit in disguise
He almost instantly stopped the sale, and pohely re
quefted me to leave, that the doors could DO closed
left but was followed by one of the company, who
pretended to be stranger in pursuit OF rnformation
ode We spose felar gifts the wor b o his money
there? he INQUIRED of ME. i cut him short with
curt reply snd he returned to the shop IKE tne
dog to his yomit or the unwashed swine to the wal
Lowing in the mire A few steps further on iound
sn old man in the auction desk. He and bis crew were
watches were offered for sale. AT another shop the
farce Of selling was well got up, but the parties I'M
doubtedly came to the conclusion that was too vsr
dsrt or too poor to risk bid. visited half dozen
shops, and did not witness genuine sale. How DO
these sharks live and pay rent in these valuable build
pQs? Are there fools enough in the country 10 sup
mort them BY purchasing their worthless wares Can
il be possible that any who reads the papers cam
when sober, be cheated by these sharPers! Can
| not the City Government zeal up these establish
| men,s? When the hammer of death knocks dowr
| tbe,e auctioneors to their highest bidder, the
deyil-will their places be easily supplied !
noticed that each shop was located on some man
artery of trade and travel-shas there is in each
one display of faded Gnery and coarse painting
that there Is screen IN every shOp-hinting OF some
thing behind it. In each shop are few gold wa''ae
sometimes shown to purchasers but they are spesaly
exchanged BY slightof.hand maniPulations, Tor the
" check" concerns, 80 frequently palmed on
urop the preen-horns who cannot distinguish gold