The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-27
Street Peddling in Naples.

Street peddlers abound as thick as
lice in Egypt, or to give better idea
of their number, as lice in Naples. In
the matter of lice Egypt even when
plagued was nothing to Naples. The
wrath of the Almighty did not produce
more lice in Egypt than does the filth
of the people in Naples. But this has
nothing to do with the street peddlers.
All kinds of goods are sold by ped
dlers upon the streets as we'll as in shops.
Peddling exactly suits the Neapolitan
temperament, as there is no very hard
labor in it, and it affords great scope
for lying and swindling. 1t is some
labor to carry basket or tray. and he
had rather not do it, but that IS over
balanced by the delight there is in lying
to somebody and getting the better OF
somebody, which this occupation al
fords him. He doesn't make much
money, but then he doesn't want much.
As in other parts of Italy. truth Is not
| a part of their system and lie Is con-
sidered the first virtue. To reap some
advantage from lie is to experience
the highest delight known to the Italian
mind.
Also there is no price for anything.
Your street peddler appears to you with
pyramid of fancy baskets which at
tracts the attention of your lady friend.
She asks the price and the answer comes
slowly, deliberately and desperately,
Fifteen francs"
bah! it is too much" (By the way,
the experienced one would say 'toO
much if the price had been a franc
"What will madam give?"
81 am notputting price upon your
goods. That is for you to do"
Trade is dull and my children cry
for bread. will sell the basket for
thirteen francs. But l make no profit.
am eating up my capital"
There goes on more chaffering, the
seller dropping franc at time to
begin with, and then half-franc, till
finally he is down to five francs. Then
the final struggle begins. The lying
that has preceded this is merely clear
ing the ground. The seller looks ex-
pectant, and the lady defiant.
81 will give your (she says very
slowly and with great impreSsiveneSs).
81 will give you exactly two francs,
and not sou more. There need be no
more talk-two francs or nothing"
The peddlar sees that she is in earn
est, and that further talk is unneces-
sary. He cannot, however, forego the
delight of another lie, for they hold on
to their luxuries as long as possible,
and he commences one, but is cut short
with the peremptory ''twO francs!'
Twill take it." he says very quickly.
And before the astonished woman has
an opportunity to say no." the basket
is in her hands.
The villain made good franc and a
half as it is, and goes away bursting
with a Joy that he has to conceal till he
turns corner. Then he throws down
his baskets and rolls upon the ground
in an ecstasy.
The new conner thinks himself smart,
and thinking to beat the vendor, offers
ten francs for what is asked fifteen
for, and goes about exhibiting his pur
chase in proof of his cuteness and is
laughed to scorn Immediately by those
who have been here week.
The shops are but little better. There
are shops where they deal with COM
parative honesty, and where the prices
are fixed, but they are few and far be-
tween. Falsehood is a part of the
Italian system in trade, and is consid
cred no crime, or even a fault. The
merchants operate upon the theory
that they will never see their customers
again, and the best policy is to make
the most out of him while they have
him in their clutches. The price asked
is always more than they expect, and tc
get anything above what they will sell
at, if you have patience to chatter, is to
make them happy.
There is no dependence to be placed
upon their representations as to goods
You have to depend upon your own
Judgment, and unless you are very
good Judge of an article YOU are GER
tain to be swindled, for there is no lie
too huge and no aduleratiOn or shOddy-
ling too outrageous for these highway
robbers.-D. Il. Locke. IN Toledo BLdde