Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-05
BuYlNG A s IN EeYpr.
How Arthur sullivan Did il.


boston Herald.
Arthur Sullivan bought a CARPET il
Alexandria, aud the purchase tool
him three months. One morning. s,
runs Dr. Sullivans narrative, he wa,
passing by one Of the bazars where
tapestries and such thiags are sold
when a particularly handsome anc
rich fabric caught his eye. He went
In, and, after pretending TO look over
a lot OF things, which n reality he did
not want, he said to the man who
solemnly presided over the place,
Aud what is the price of that car
That, said the dealer, as not 70,
sale. l purchased that particular
carpet at a great cost, to feast my own
eyes upon. 1t is magniicent-superb,
could not part with that. No. by
Allah or words to that effect. Twill,
the English gentleman have a cup of
coffee2" The English gentleman would.
tie would also have a cigarette. After
that he went away. In a day or two
be went around again, and once more
made the pretense OF locking through
Macdallah's stock. He had obviously
failed to fool the sly Egyptian b,fore
as to the article he really wanted, so he
took more time to it on this occasion
AS he expected, the sedate owner of
the bazaar finally approached him.
II have concluded, after several
sleepless nights" said the merchant,
ito part with that carpet. 1t grieves
M very much to do so, for | have
become very fond ofit. l had hoped
that it would be the light of my eyes
in my cid age. But the prophet has
counseled u~nsel6shness among his PEG
pie, and | will sell to the English
gentleman"
"How much?"
Zone hundred pounds"
Nonsense. I'll give you e5."
The Egyptians dignity was obvi-
ously wounded. An expression of
absolute pain crossed his face. But he
forgave DR.. Sullivan and they had
another cup of coffee and a cigarette
together. Then DR.. Sullivan went
away, as before. In a week or so be
dropped around again. After going
through the regular business of look
ing over the stock, he was again
approached by Maodallah.
IL have concluded, after much
thought" said that worthy that |
asked you too much for the carpet the
other day. When Macdallah feels he
is in the wrong. he is quick to ac-
knowledge it. The English gentleman
can have the beautiful carpet for
900"
Now you acknowledge your error"
replied MIR. Sullivan, II will confess
that | was wrong in offering you only
60 for your carpet the other day. |
did that in joke, Of course. l didu't
mean it. Bless you, no. And since
your are prepared to make concessions,
| will do the same. Instead Of Is, Iii
give you &C."
More coffee and another cigarette.
The next time DR.. Sullivanj went
around the merchant took off FIVE
pounds more, and the purchaser added
one pound. So it went on, with bag
Cling and coffee, until DR.. Sullivan
finally agreed to give twelve pounds,
at which price he took away the
carpet. 1t would have cost about $3.50
in London. He says that the kind of
business mentioned isthe strictly prop
er thing in Egypt and Turkey. But
Americans, he adds, are spelling the
trade in this direction. While he was
in Alexandria a gentleman named
Morgan, from New York, came along
and visited the bazar of Macdallah.
Three carpets struck his fancy, and
he priced them. Three hundred
pounds" said Macdallah. well"
replied Mr.. Morgan, that seems a
fair price, and III take them. Here's
your money" The next time DIR.
Sullivan saw the merchant he was
almost tearing his hair with rage
against the dog of Christian" He
explained the matter in an injured
tone 10 the sympathizing Eoglisbman,
adding that Macdallah's method was
not business"