The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-08-03
Shopping ia cons,aas;nopIc.

We made our way, writes q tourist
to the Cincinnati Gazette, to the shop
of Osman Bey, where we purchased
some gauze and embroideries. At
the entrance, seated cross-legged on
a rug, is an old man in old-fashioned
costume smoking his pipe-a typical
Turk. He made q salaam, but
took no further notice of US. A SER
Want drew aside an embroidered
portiere and we entered their little
store, where we were salaained by q
son Of the old man, fresh and hand
some, and dressed ala Frank, tx
cept the fez. Seats were offered and
conversation begun as though we
had come FOX n morning visit.
Presently man brought in y
tray, with tiny cups Of black, fra
grant coffee, which were placed on q
little table in front of US, we were
begged. with salaams, to partake.
When this was finished we ventured
70 do our errands. After all this
courtesy we could not be so impolite
as not to purchase at this shop, and
our protestations at high prices must
be made In the most delicate man
ner Still they must be made, for
in Turkey you must make a rule
never to pay the price asked for al
article.
We went to a magazine in an up
per story to look at rugs and were
quite bewildered at their variety and
beauty. Here we were much an
noyed in our bargaining by Jew
one OF the hangers on who swarm in
the bazaars to interpret for unwarr
foreigners, and while pretending to
cheaper the articles really pay as
high price as possible because
they get a per cent. ON the purchases.
We ionged for the old custom Of
carrying sticks to beat them off to be
revived.
One show in the bazaar is like q
museum of antiques. The room is
spacious and lofty, and is filled with
rare and costly things. Antique
arms in endless variety; shield and
scabbard and blade, ornamented
with gems and gold; embossed and
carved and engraved in most deli
cate arabesques, or with sacred char
acters; exquisite China cups, vases,
and placques; Oriental fabrics and
garments, bracelets, clasps and neck
laees Of silver gilt, set in uncut gems, /
and many things Of which the
manufacture belongs to the lost
arts"
We went from one part TO another
oar purchases as rapidly as
Oriental custom would permit. We
ask the price OF IN article; the mer:
chant tells us, at which we smile,
toss up the head, and say ~Yokp
(no). Then we are asked what we
will give, and at our answer the
smiles, and SAYS yck, with !
a toss Of the head. We chatter
awhile, and if we cannot agree, but |
want the article, we walk away
slowly. The man calls US to come
back. We stop and look back /
Then another offer Is made, with /
the assurance that It IS too little
We turn, with another toss OF the !
head, and walk q little faster. The
man calls louder, and offers another /
price, but we do not 60 back unless
he yields to ours.
Sometimes a servant followed us
long distances begging us TO come |
back. We passed through the
or Spice Bazaar. Here
is exposed .or sale, henna, mostick, |
hasheesh, dye stufi5, antimony, OPT /
um, spices, and drugs OF all kinds, /
arranged, as you viii perceive, where I
the eyes are sufficiently accustomed /
to the twilight OF the place to dis !
cover anything, in very tasteful and t
attractive WAYS II is divided in
some unseen way into stalls, and in
each ore sits a Ia Turk, n man so
Indifferent to all around T
him, YOU wonder that with his im-
the darkness, and the pun
rent odor of the drugs and spices
about him. he does not become .
mummy.