Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-07-01
Buying Oranges I'm Italy.

The cart stood INTENDED in the street; and
selecting large orange, which would measure
twelve inches in circumference, turned 20 look
for the owner. After some time, fellow got
from the open front OF neighbOring cobbler's
shop, where he sat with his lazy cronies, listen
ing 10 the honest gossip OF the follower of st.
CTispin, and sauntered toward me. GLOW much
for this?" i ask. "One franc, signOr," saws
the proprietor, with polite bow, holding up
one finger. i shake my head, and intimate that
it is altogether too much, in fact, prepOsterOus.
The proprietor is very indifferent, and shrugs
his shoulders in an amiable manner. He picks
up a fair, handsome orange, weighs It in his
Is one franc. i suggest one sou Is a fair
price, a suggestion which he only receives
with smile Of slight pity, and 1 fancy, a
holds up this and that goldskinned one for my
admiration. As stand, sorting over the fruit,
trying TO please myself with size, color, and tex
ture, a little crowd has gathered round; and
see, by glance, that all the occupations In that
neighborhood, including loafing, are temporarily
suspended, 70 witness the trade. The interest OF
the circle visibly increases; and others take such
part in the transaction that begin to doubt IL
the first man Is, after all, the proprietor. At
length, 1 select two oranges, and again demand
Der, when i am told that / can have both for a
franc. i, In turn, sigh, shrug my shoulders,
and put down the oranges, amid chorus OF
EXPLANATIONS over my graspingness: My
with indifference. i can see that 1t has made
a sensation. These simple, idle children of
the sun begin 10 show q little excitement.
j at length determine upon bold strike, and
resolve TO show myself the Napoleon of Oranges,
or to meet my Waterloo. pick out four of the
largest oranges IN the basket, while all eyes are
fixed me intently, and, for the first time, pull
out piece Of money. 1t Is a two-sous piece. /
offer IL for the four oranges. "No, no, no, sig
nor! All, signOri ah, signOr !" in a chorus from
the whole crowd. i have struck bottom at last,
and perhaps got somewhere near the value, and
all calmness Is gone. Such prOtestations, such
indignation, such sorrow, have never seen be-
fore from 30 small a cause. 1t cannot be thought
of; 1t is mere ruin! / am, in turn, as firm, and
nearly as excited In seeming. hold up the
fruit, and tender the money. "NO, never, never,
The signor cannot be in earnest" Looking
around me for a moment, and assuming a theat-
rical manner, BETTING the gestures of those
about me, / fling the fruit down, and with a sub
lime remuneration, stalk away, There is instantly
had not proceeded far, when skinny old wo-
man runs after me, and begs me to return. /
90 back, and the crowd parts to receive me.
The proprietor has a new proposition the effect
OF which upon me is intently watched. He pro-
poses to give me five big oranges for four sous.
j received il with utter Scorn and a laugh of de-
risiOn. viii give twosous for the original four,
and not q centissimo more. That / solemnly
say, and am ready TO depart. Hesitation and re-
newed conference; but at last the proprietor re-
Tents; and, with the look of one who Is ruined for
life, and who is yet willing to sacrifice himself
he hands me the oranges. Instantly the ex-
citement is dead, the crowd disperses, and the
street Il as quiet as ever; when walk away
bearing my hard-won Treasures Charles b.
Warner IN Old and Nep.