The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-11-12
THE "SWAP."
How the Delight of Youth Becomes the
Passion of Age.

How the Delight of Youth Becomes the
/ Passion of Age.
( One OF the dear delights of youth is
that interesting exercise of trade in
stincts known as swapping" The ex-
change is effected wholly without refer
ence to the necessities of the parties to
the TRANSACTION, the object being not so
much to benefit by the new possession
as to indulge a spirit of enterprise.
Any one who has witnessed barters be-
tween juveniles must have noticed in
stances where an object of considerable
value has been given up for one of no
corresponding worth without the boot"
that shrewd managers exact. not be-
cause the youthful traders were ignorant
OF the inequality of values, but because
actual values seem to figure very little
IN the negotiations for a swap. The
prime consideration Is that each has
what the other most desires, and the
wish to possess the one article balances
the disposition to release the other
hence there is no robbery in exchange.
A battered jack-k knife, with one fairly
serviceable blade, has been deemed a
suitable equivalent for a well-condi-
toned bull pup. and balance has been
struck between rheumatic watch and
middle-aged billy-goat, with no
grumbling on the part of the swappers,
and no thought that either had the bet
ter Of the bargain.
That there is q fascination in this
sort OF redistribution of capital and
stock may be inferred from the fact
that its practice is not confined to youth,
the early habit growing apace with ac-
cumulating years. until the desire to
swap becomes a passion of age. In the
activities of daily life the commercial
American learns little of the survival of
the swap though it is more extensive
among adults than may be believed.
We know, of course, that trading is a
business condition of frontier settle
ments, and that plug of tobacco will
purchase a goodly number of small furs
from weed-loving Indian; but in the
very midst and center of staid civiliza-
ton the enjOyments of swapping are
sought with avidity by very large and
respectable class. True, the proceed
ing is more feminine than masculine.
but very liberal percentage of men
have hankering to supply need or
CRAFTY fancy by dicker. :,
In this country, however, all such ex-
changes are privately effected, the
transfers being the result of acquaint4
ance, rather than acquaintance the OUT
come of desire to swap. 1t is other
wise in England. There. we are some4
what surprised to learn, swapping is a
regular institution. with its represent
alive organs for advertising purposes,
and is entered into with a close COM
mercial spirit that takes no note of any
other means of process of satisfying
wants. There is in London tri-weekly
journal that has been published for tho
past ten years, the purpose of which is
to announce the exchange of new lamps
for old, though there are several other
papers with especial columns allotted
to the use of swappers, no transactions
in money being allowed. 1t is rather
amusing to note the character and
variety of these quotations, and the dis
student will find it a matter
of the utmost difficulty to decide by
what standard the equivalents are de.
termined.
There may be some near relation be.
tween a talking green parrot and
good sewing machine, as both can be
made most internal nuisances to non.
owners; but the exact harmony between
a pair of canaries and pair of lady's
boots is not quite obvious. Among
these occult values we find such offers
as these: "Jackal for canaries and
chickens" ''foX terrier pup for collec-
ton of foreign stamps" new bicycle
far rare foreign stamps" "a few good
pugs for a sewing machine" "a
for garden roller" ''eight
pairs of owls for a breech-loader, ''Old
china and wine for a good sound
horse" etc.
Occasionally there is an uncertainty
in the mind of the would-be snapper
as to the exact value of property
held or the precise equivalent desired.
Then such advertisements appear
as this: Duck punt. new; ex-
change for anything useful" This |
is decidedly liberal offer, but it is
much to be doubted if a pair of
trousers. however useful |
to the owner, would be considered as
coming precisely within the meaning
of the advertiser. A lady who wanted |
rings, a silver teapot and a
skunk cape, announced the fact with
the assurance that she had good ex-
change to offer; while another, wishing
to get pea-hen, asks what exchange
will be required. These instances tend
to show that this elder-day swapping is
but the outcropping of the youthful
Denchant, and is really game, sport,
rather than a business relation, by
which the excitements of adolescent
years are revived. 1t can easily be
that an Industrious. able
bodied snapper might, in a compare
lively short time, entirely transform
he character of household and thor
,ughly revolutionize her possessions
Inter Ocean.
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