The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-03-26
A SHARP Trick.

you'd better take twenty yards or
so, ma'am. You'll never get such a
| chance again, assure you. There's
nothing so cheap and good offered at
| the stores"
I'm altered they're too cheap to be
worth anything"
The scene was the spacious porch
of an old-fashioned farm house, where
travelling dealer was displaying to
! the dame of the household his assort-
ment of cloths, cassimeres, ETC., in
| that line.
"You don't mean to insinuate that
l deal in shoddy, do you 2" inquired
the man in an injured tone. "Why,
bless you, look at the goodsW
The woman examined them critical
ly; the quality seemed excellent, and
yet she was suspicious. She had
heard of worthless goods being palmed
off as excellent by such dealers and
she had no desire to be taken in.
And yet as she more thoroughly ex-
amined the merchandise she was
tempted to purchase. Every piece
was offered al low fgure-far below
that demanded at the country stores,
the household was really in need OF
such supplies, and she had the cash to
pay for them.
allow NICE" thought Mrs. Miller,
''to purchase all want and have
clever little sum left over besides
You'll take twelve yards of this 2"
said the dealer, as if he decided she
had made up her mind to do so.
"Yes." she answered, no longer hes
itating.
"And twelve of this ?" added the
man, indicating roll of cashmere
at will make your husband and boys
splendid suits. I'm selling these
goods at an awful sacrifice, ma'am, but
you see it can't be helped. Bankrupt
stock forced on the market, and it's
got to go"
"Yes," assented the farmers wife.
Another dozen yards Of different
material was also disposed of, the
dealer received his money, gathered
up his remaining stock, and then drove
Oft.
But hardly was he out of sight be-
fore Mrs. Miller began, in spite of the
most assuring examination of her
purchases, to feel herself victimized.
"These goods can't be what he rep
resented them," she reflected. why,
the price is just about half what il
should be. l don't believe the stuff
will stand wear, though l declare it
looks snd feels we'll enough too"
At noon her husband came in to his
dinner. In state of considerable
excitement, fearing that he would
chide her severely for purchasing
goods which must surely prove shod-
dy, Mrs. Miller revealed the fact of
her bargaining with the dealer.
=,
beginning at what he styled his wite's
want of sense.
"You oughtn't to have touched 'em,
SOphroney you might have knowed
1 you would be cheated. Them travel
4 have told you that the moneys just
I throwed away!"
"But look at the goods, John. They
I seem to be all right"
oh, yes. they seem to be, of course
But make 'em up, aud you'll have 10
put patches on after the first days
wear"
'1t can't be that the fellew triclSed j
me So" declared the wife, resolutely,
warming into defence of her action.
Look at this piece, john"
John did look, but was not con-
vineed that his doubts were ground
less.
"shoddy's queer stuff, sophrony.-
It'll look all right, in spite of the
closest searchin,' till you've been put
to the expense of making it up; then
il will go to dust, like an old rotten
rag carpet. I'm sorry you was Sc
green, Sophrony.
J And j ohm ate his dinner and went
back to his work,