The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-04
SHOPPING IN MOROCCO,


Tho next day call was made upon the
bashaw of Fez, whom found In the oct
Of administering justice in the courtyard
Of his palace The cd gentleman was
clever locking Arab. gotten up most i'm
uosingIy in long haik and pink Moorish
slipners He received me most cordially,
and when he found that was waiting for
the Letter from the sultan his hospitality
knew no bounds, and he insisted upon
nv sitting at his right side while he
melted ont sentences ana punishments 10
the malefactors brought before NM
When lie found had never seen man
bastinadoed his delight was almost pitt
fnl. and am afraid II had stayed every
man in Fez would have been put to the
bastinado before the day was ont, 80 anx
ious WAS he to he l,ospitable and show me
all that was Of interest in the town
alter seeing couple Of poor chaps
thrown down and whipped just severely
enough tn make man glad lie was not in
their place. the sight lost interest for me-
and | asked permission 10 retire, which
was readily granted aud as the bashaw
found was planning to make some pur
chases in Fee he sent for his major domo,
instructing him TO see that the merchants
Of Fee did not take advantage OF the
white man who was the sultans friend.
They did not take advantage, and if !
ever get cash enough together am going
to send ion that poor neglected Arab and
make him my shopper III general, for his
style would make a sensation Oh Wash
inct0n street and add a comfortable sum
to my income. The shops OF Fee are lit
tie dog houses dug out OF the thick walls.
the floor of the shop being about breast
high. and the shopkeeper sits upon the
door in the midst OF his goods. some OF
which are piled upon the shelves over his
head but all three walls within touch Of
his hand, 50 confined is the space. When
YOU approach his shop, does he jump to
his feet vii an eager bow and Il request
a. 10 what he can show you! Not he. He
does not attempt to stifie the yawn that
uni0iuts his face, and if he is near enough
to he wall he leans against il and closes
his eyes in pure WEAKNESS.
II YOU ask him for something from the
shelf above his reach lac asks in reply.
without opening his eyes, II there is not
something Oh the floor. within reach.
which you can buy just as well If not,
he yawn5 again calls upon the saints to
burn your grandmother or grandfather,
and reaching up, graspa cord hung
above his head and pulls himself 10 his
feet. None OF this for my buyer. lie
reached in, took what he wanted asked
its price, put down about half what was
asked, put the purchase under his cloak,
leaving string OF bowls and Arab oaths
bchind him. Only one man was bold
enough TO jump out Of his shop and run
after Us, and to him the servant OF the
bashaw administered II good box on the
ear. saying the purchase was for the sui
tan's friend by the order of the bashaw,
and if the merchant did not return to his
kennel, he would have him bastinadoed
before night.
This looked 10 me SO much like high
way robbery that | demonstrated, but
Jacob said it was custom and all right and
the usual way of doing; but | have an
idea there was something irregular about
il after all, for | noticed there was con
siderable excitement wherever we taITied.
Then We went to the markets where all
the goods are sold BY auction. The auc-
lioneer, who could be told by his lack of
clothes, would take piece Of goods from
any OF the shopkeepers and start out to
sell it upon commission. Holding it As
high aloft as be could he would shout
some bid aud start upon the run around
the market When lac passed any one
who wished 10 examine il. he would drop
il into their hands. allow them to examine
ii. take their bid, if they made any start
again upon bis run. shouting the price
like madman, until he had made three
circuits of the market, after which he
would turn it over 10 the highest bidder.
Cor Boston Transcript