The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-03-26
HALF CASH AND HALF BARTER.
A CUTE TRICK.

| Connecticut broom peddler--a shrewc
chap, from over among the steady habits
wooden clocks, schoolmasters, ard Other
| fxins-drove through the streets OF Provi
dence heavily laden with corn brooms. He
had called at several stores and offered his
load, or ever so small portion of it; but
when he wanted the cash, and nothing else,
in payment, they hao uniformly given him
to understand that they had brooms enough
and that he might go further. At last he
drove up to large wholesale store on the
west side, and once more offered his wares.
"Well, want the brooms badly enough" "
said the merchant, "but what will you take
in pay 7"
This was poser. The peddler was ach-
ing to get rid of his brooms; he despised
the very sight of his brooms; but he would
sooner sell "a single broom for cash than the
whole load for any other article especially
that which he could not dispose of as readi
ly as he could brooms. After moments
hesitation, however, he screwed his courage
to the sticking point--it required some
courage-after having lost his chance of
selling his load half dozen times by
similar answer-and frankly told the mer-
chant he must have cash. OF course the
merchant protested that cash was scarce
and that he must purchase, if he purchased
at all, with what he had in his store to pay
with He really wanted the brooms, aid
he did not hesitate to say so; out the times
were hard, and he had notes to pay, and
had goods that must be disposed of.
Eipollt ba ii bo would mt tbn rnndc
at the cost price, for the sake Of trading,
and would take the whole load of brooms
which the peddler had labored so unsuc.
oessfully at the other stores to dispose of.
80 unload the brooms," said he to the
man from Connecticut, 'and select any ar.
ticles from my store, apd you shall have
them at cost price"
The peddler scratched his head. There
was an idea there, as the sequel shows plain
ly enough.
II tell you what it is" he answered at
last, 81 ust say them terms for half the load,
and cash for t'other half, and I'm your man.
Bowed et don't sell eout, if Connecticut
sinks with all her broom stuff, the next
minute"
The merchant hesitated moment, but
finally concluded the chance good ONE
lie would he gntting half the hrnnms for
that would not sell as readily
as for the cost price, it was an easy CANNON
in regard to it. The bargain was struck,
The brooms we're brought in, and the cash
tor half of them was paid over.
Now, what will you have for the re-
nainder of your bill ?" asked the merchant
The peddIer scratched his head again,
and this time more vigorously. He walked
he floor, whistled, and drummed with his
fingers on the head of barrel. By.and.
BY his reply came-slowly, deliberately and
emphatically:
"You Providence fellers are cute you
sell at cost, pretty much all Of you, and
make money. don't see how it's done.
Now, l doL't know about your goods, bar
in one article, and if | take anything else
may be cheated So, seein' 'twont make
my odds with you, guess I'll take brooms.
know them like book, and can swear to
est what you paid for EN-"
And so saying, the peider commenced
re loading his brooms, and having deposit
I'd half Of his former load, jumped on his
cart with a regular Connecticut grin, and
eaving the merchant cursing his impu-
lence and his own stupidity, drove off in
search Of another customer.