The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-02-22
PeddIers From E~ory Lana.

| living IN the metropolis. The peddlers
are scattered through the city, but they
have favorite localities, where travel II
heaviest. Fulton street is lined with
venders of every Imaginable device for
catching few pennies. Sixth avenue
at times is enllvened by the presence Of
scores of small tradesmen. During the
holiday. season Grand street was a fa-
forite rendezvous for these enterprising
dealers, but this year the authorities in"
terfered, and there was general exodus
from that thoroughfare.
"Where do you people buy your
goods?" asked reporter few days ago
of Oh alfrasco tradesman on Fulton
street.
"I deals In several blaces," he said.
~ get my knlfes in vun blace und sus-
penders i'll anoder, >und so on."
"Are there not men who mako busi-
ness of supplying peddlers with stock2"
| yah. I knows vun in Orchard streed,
q leetle above Canal.
After ascertaining the name of the
Orchard street man, the reporter called
upon him. He occupies Oh old-fashion-
ed, two-story wooden house. Upon tho
shelves OF the store was O varied assort-
mt OF goods. most of them iu pnste-
! bonru boxes.
Eyes, l. supply peddlers," replied
courteous, pleasant-faced man, in reply
to tho lnquirer's question.
"How long have you been in the brsi-
ness?''
"This stand has been established for
hfteen yeats. ] have had it for about
five years.
"What do you sell to peddlers?"
"Oh," replied the merchant, slowly,
leaning upon the well. worn counter and
looking around him. ''no end of things.
My specialties are jewelry, combs, COL
lar.buttons and thirgs Of that class;
what are commonly known as f,lnoy no.
tions. Just before Christmas I have
ornaments for Christmas trees. have
quite stock OF them still on hand, for
the city Officials drove away a great
many Of my customers from Grand
street. That used to be fine neigh
borhood for street peddlers."
"What are those things that look like
gartersP" asked the reporter.
"They are sleeve-holders. I sell
mirrors, suspen,lers, shoulder braces,
Dutton-hooks, fancy soaps, blacking,
brushes, pnper cullars, aud at this time
OF year, few toys"
Is your custom mostly in New York;"
"a fair proportion OF 1t; but not all by
any means. Dozens OF men who travel
through the State buy from mo. They
DO great deal of advertising by recon-
mendlng Other peddlers to come to
me."
''How much stock do the country
peddlers carry2"
| haSpma tlIa,ro ,,,,,nl, n. 6EOO
worth"
THAT is great deal for man to
carry on his back2"
"Well, you see, much Of their stock is
jewelry, which does not take up much
room."
"Do the country men come here
every time they wish their stock replen-
ished?"
"Oh, no, I send the goods wherever
the customers direct"
"Do you sell for cash?"
."Mostly. Although have accounts
with u few men,"
"What percentage do peddlors make
on their lnvestments?"
Ut varies from ~ to IS per cent"
Some OF the city peddlers have stands
OF considerable extent. They must pos
sess respectable capital2'
''It is common for q man to have
81, ,Oc0 or $4,000 in his trade. But
pcddling is not what it used to be in
this country"
"Why uot?'
"Wcll, so many greenhorns have gone
INTO it. They are Polish, Russian aud
Hungarian jews mostly. They have no
Families to support, as q rule, and live
30 ohenply that they can save money on
u very small inves tmont. They can of.
ford, to undersell other men who have
families depending on them. and cannot
1--we as they DO"
care there many Americans in the
bus,ness?'
eyes; a lumber. Now and then
you'll find an Irishman or German.
but mcsL OF the peddlcrs are Jews"
'"They are very poor when they come
to America. are they not?"
Poor Us the proverbial church mouse.
They strike their trienus for money for
the first instalment Of goods"
"Tnls money is regarded rs loan?"
mot necessarily; sometimes it is II
chality."
Are the Poles and Hungarlans sharp
at q bargaIn?"
Sharp us raZors, and close as Blue
Point oyster. Why, one of those fel-
lows will huggle for IN hour to save ten
cents. Ihelr competition drives tho
other men OUT OF the business"
You must find it difficult to conduct
trade with people who speak no Eng
hsh."
mo, not very; speak German and
Hebrew. These suffice for the needs of
my business"
"Where do these Israeltes friends of
yours llve?"
"AIound in this neighl,orhood."
"ls 1t q fact that some ptople who
supply peddlers loan the men present.
able clothes when the customers have
mono OF their own2"
"On, no; that is done only in the case
OF mon who are advertising special ar
tlcle."
"Are peddlers honest, as rnle2"
| "When they find 1t to be the best
policy, they are, just like other men.
VI couisc there are rogues among them
just as Ill other classes. You are going?
Well, If you should fail to make a tor
tune writing Tor the papers, just call on
me, aud ill bo happy to set you up as
. peddler-tor cash, OF course"