Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-11-18
Curious Customers.

Some time Eince there appeared in one Of our
comic periodicals sketch entitled "a Tragedy |
At the Counter" " in which the mechanical habit |
that shopmsn have OF Of saving Sir after the |
customer has stated his requirements, Waz cnt- |
icised Such Tebuke from Huch quarter at
tracts our attention toward HhOpmen 10 general,
and having always cultivated desire 10 hear
both sides Of the question, We Prosecuted in
quries among them 20 acOnsiierable extent as
certaiuiug their fee.iugs and opinions, and
wherever we found Intelligence encouraging
loquacity. And the result l- the discovery that
the public have it undoubtedly in their power to
render the duties Of zhopmen less laborous and
irksome'
We will suppose the obstinate customer enters
A-chemist's chop, aud azks for pair Of wazhiug
gloves. He il told that we 10 not keep IL EN-.
Don't keep them he exclains, gazing keen
" around the shop; dear me, that's very aWk-
ward. What is that pile Of things % the shelf
Just above your head theref'
He is told that they chest protectors.
"Oh indeed. Chest protectors, ell; They
wouldn't do hen-they-woudn't-lo" This is
said glowly, a. he-gpeaker's eyes wander scar
chDgly around the shop. Presently he Eays
again, probably pointing rudeig AID oihciously
with his umbrella
"Isnt that pile Of things there with the red
borders to them washing glover think they
must be-
They are accordingly taken down, and shown
10 be something quite different to washing
gloves A glimmer Of intelligence will then per.
you haven't gOt them | can't have them-c4n
r. And then casting suspicious glances around
him, he leaves tn: shop slowly, and the shop
man may think himself fortunate if something
in the window does not attract hia notice, and
bring him back again.
customer much TO be avoided is tho indis-
Greet customer, He orders readily, and speed
lily finds what he wants. But he never thinks
about price, and generally never inquiries unit
his parcel OF goods is packed up. 1t most fre
quently happens that the price Is three or foul
times what he expected or can ahord, and al
awkward dilemma is the result. 1t generally
ends in the parcel being opened, and the good
extracted until the amount is reduced to within
the reach Of the indiscreet customers pocket.
This customer is the more annoying, as tn
mode Of dealing with him ID 90 difficult. II it b.
attempted to discern the probable worth OF tn
individual by his dress and appearance there
the utmost danger Of cOnfoundlng MIN with th
unknown customer who is at once the horro
and delight Of shOpkeepers We Will narrate
fact we came acrOEa to illustrate this.
shabby old gentleman walk d into jewe
ers shop, and asked to be allowed 10 look a
some topazes Three OF four were accordingl
shown TO him, and he quickly selected the bee
which he said wsE hardly good enough. "At
but you sec these stones are expensive, Ha
the jeweler rather patronizingy Il can assur
you the one you have chosen would answer al
ordinary purpose.
The old gentleman looked around him in di
satisfied way, and presently caught sight Of
large and beautiful stone in corner OF the JeV
esrB glasH case
That looks more like what want" said he
''let me look at that one, will you Z"
1T will be very expensive Sir very, indeed
more. / dare say, than you wOuld Like TO Civ
The stone you have il very good sr."
In quiet voice the old gentleman asked II Il
atone for sale or only on view. At the I
buke, the ieweeT produced it., naming hil
price. 1t wss Immediately chOAen and his Gu
TONER taking sketch from his pocket said
Get that coat Of arms engraved upon it al
send me word when it's done"
He gave his name and address. lie was q m
lonaire, and the shOpkesper had committed Il
grieVous error Of treating him aH indiscret
when he was an unknown customer