Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-22
Buying a Rug i,l Cairo.

a mug HI caro-
From tho Boston Herald
He bought a carpet in Alexandria, and the
purchase took him three months. One morn
ing, so runs DR.. Sullvans narrative, he was
passing by one of the bazaars where tapestries
and such things are sold, when particularly
handsome and rich fabric caught his eye He
went In, and, after pretending to look over a
lot Of things which in reality he did not want.
he said to the man who solemnly presided over
peti"
That" responded the dealer. ais not for
sale. l purchased that particular carpet at a
great cost to feast my own eyes upon. 1t is
magnificent 1 could not part with
"Will the English gentleman have a cup of cof-
fee3" The English gentleman would. He
would also have cigarette. After that he went
away. In day or two he came around again,
and once more made the pretence of looking
through Macdallah's stock He had obviously
failed to fool the sly Egyptian before as to the
article he really wanted, SO he took more time
to it upon this occasion. AS he expected the
sedate owner Of the bazaar finally approached
him.
II have concluded, after several sleepless
nights, said the merchant. 'to part with that
carpet. 1t grieves me very much to do so, for 1
have become very fond Of it. had hoped that
1T would be the light of my eyes in my old age
But the Prophet has cOunseled unsclfishness
among his people, and will sell to the English
gentleman"
"How much?"
"One hundred pounds"
Nonsense. I'll give YOU &5"
The Egyptians dignity was obviously wound
ed. An expression of absolute pain crossed his
face. But he forgave DR.. Sullivan, and they had
another cup of coffee and cigarette together.
Then DR.. Sullivan went away. as before. In
week or SO he dropped around again. After
going through the regular business OF looking
over the stock, he was again approached by
Macdallah.
81 have concluded. after much thought, said
that worthy. that asked you too much for the
carpet the other day. When Macdalah feels he
is in the wrong he is quick to acknowledge it.
The English gentleman can have the beautiful
carpet for 500"
Now you acknowledge your error" replied
Mr.. Sullivan, ~ will confess that was wrong
in offering you only e5 for your carpet the other
day. l did that in joke, of course. l didn't
mean 1t. Bless you, no. And since you are
prepared to make concessions, l will do the
same. Instead of Is, will give you Co.
More coffee and another cigarette. The next
time DR.. Sullivan went around. the merchant
took off f5 more, and the purchaser added q.
So it went on, with haggling and coffee. until
Dr. Sullivan had finally agreed to give g12, 1T
which price he took away the carpet. 1t would
have,caSt about $50 in London He says that
the kind Of business mentioned Is considered
the strictly proper thing In Egypt and Turkey.
But Americans, he adds, are spelling the trade
in this direction. While he was in Alexandria
gentleman named Morgan, from New York,
came along and visited the bazaar of MacdalIah.
Three carpets struck his fancy and he priced
them "Three hundred pounds" said Mac
dallah. 'Well,' replied Mr. Morgan. THAT
seems fair price and III take them: Here's
your money" The next time DR.. Sullivan. saw
the merchant he was almost tearing his hair
with rage against the "dog ola Christian" He
explained the matter in an injured tone to the
Englishman, adding that Mr.. Nor
gan's method was not business