The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-21
SECONDHAND GOODS.
A Peep Into Place Where They
Are Bought and Sold.
Peculiarities Of the People Who Sacrifice
Their Valuables for Paltry Sums.
The Needy and shiftless.

If, as has been remarked by some genius
who lived in the good old times long ago.
vanity is the spice of life the modern dealer
in secondhand goods surely has consider
ably more than his share Of spice, and
might without exaggeration be looked upon
as trust or close corporation in that line
all by himself.
If this statement should be doubted let
the doubling Thomas meander through any
one of the many stores in this city where
the buying and selling of secondhand
goods is made specially and see things for
himself. His doubts will vanish like dew
drops in the warm glances of the sun.
1t is well-known fact that in the large
cities of Europe nothing goes to waste. The
products of mans ingenuity in the way of
manufactured articles, as if animated with
life, follow out well-defined plan of evo-
luton Of more realistic nature than that
which several noted men of science have
laid down for the human race.
As regards variety, secondhand store is
a veritable Pandora's box on an enlarged
scale. Almost any article of utility can be
found in wellconducted store of this char
acter.
INTERESTING PATRONS.
The patrons of these stores are perhaps
though the most interesting part of the
study them If one is so inclined. Not the pur-
chasers of goods. No. They are mainly
thrifty housekeepers or economical persons
who desiring some special article would as
soon have 1t secondhand Mt low figure
than new at a high price.
1t is not these who are worth any study,
but the individuals whom necessity or Cir
cumstances have driven to disposing of
whatever articles which have a monetary
value, no matter how small. 1t is this army,
and vast army, too, OF persons who are
warth more than a passing notice. They
are not all Mcawbers, who, through shift
leSsness, are compelled to convert chair or
a mattress into hard cash in order to obtain
the wherewlthal to purchase meal.
How do You manage to get such vari-
ETY. of articles ?" asked CALL reporter of
one Of these dealers the other day after
several minutes had been spent in viewing
the contents of show window, consisting
of rusty pistols, dingy knives, dog collars.
half worn shoes, ancent-looking watches,
telescopes, fish hooks of assorted sizes, moth
eaten volumes of forgotten lore" and
dozen of other things of an incongruous ma
tGre.
"lt is great deal easier getting them
than selling them," remarked the shrewd-
looking proprietor. They came from a
hundred different sources, and each article
could tell story of its own.
A PAIR OF sUsPENDERs.
"If you will remain here awhile you may
have a chance to see some OF the kind of
people who are compelled to come to see
u.s." The invitation was accepted and the
reporter waited and was not disappointed
1t was but few minutes before rather
stylish looking man, who had the appear
ance, though, of one who lives by his wits,
entered.
what will you give me for this, old
man?" he remarked to the proprietor in
familiar way. AS he spoke he edged the
dealer into corner and drew forth rather
gaudy pair oil suspenders with roses, Ivy
leaves and other summer blossoms worked
upon them in silk of appropriate colors.
The shrewdness in the dealers eyes be-
came strong glitter as he looked upon the
pretty combination. After examining the
thereby proving that it was not a gilded
imitation of pair of those useful adjuncts
to mans wardrobe. the dealer said:
car give you 10 cents on EN-"
But l want 40 cents" said the owner of
the suspenders.
"Well, we can't get all we want in this
world on every OCCASION" replied the
dealer, turning c0ntemptuouS look at the
suspenders, as if they really were not worth
anything to him, and he was only offering
10 cents upon them as a favor to his GUS
toner.
HE TOOK FIFTEEN CENTS.
The yonng man faltered, and then
stretched out his hand, in which the
dealer placed a nickel and dime. He then
fed, and the suspenderS were placed with
other relics on shelf.
THAT man." said the dealer to the Ie-
porter, is very low financially, and the
best way to raise him is to bankrupt him.
A paradox? On, no; for the sooner he has
disposed of that fine suit. and be is doing it
pretty fast. the sooner he will have to go to
work and become useful. He can stand
to starye, but not to dress poorly. I'm only
helping him on in the world. He is one of
the fellows who dress well and eat poorly,
but ever contriving to wear neat tile and
a dressy coat. | expect those suspenders
were made for him by some ad0riEg maiden
who is in love with his Adonis-like figure so
nicely draped, and who imagines he is
bank clerk or something in the city of
equal Importance. He has no use for the
suspenders because they do not show. The
chances are that piece of bale rope has
taken their place in UNFOLDING his trousers.
But, here's another customer"
A RUSTY HAND-sAw.
a man with unkempt locks and attired in
overalls and Jumper" entered hurriedly.
He carried in his hand a rusty hand-saw.
Holding it up in an eager way within six
inches Of the dealers face he 9aeried:
Whatll you give me on it|'
"Ten cents" was the laconic response
Hand it over quick" cried the man,
holding out dirty hand.
The transfer was quickly made.
"He used to be carDenter." said the
dealer, "but drink got the best of him, and
all his tools were sold and | guess this saw
is the last of 'em. Drink has got the best
of him, and l guess by this time that dime
has been exchanged for glass of gin or
whisky"
In rapid succession came a thin, pale
r. to- L. II
thrown over her head who wanted to sell
three bent silver teaspoons and a bead
worked black Jersey waist, boy with
coat which he said was pops" and girl
with a large bundle which contained cloth
ing and a dozen or more illustrated maya
zines.
The woman received IS cents, the boy,
the coat being fairly good one, 90 cents,
and the girl 81.
NO FANCY PRICES.
"You don't give any fancy prices ?" said
the reporter.
"Can't do it." replied the dealer, assort-
ing out his latest purchases. 1.-THE major
ity of the articles we get are worth very lit
tie, and goodness only knows how long l
may have to keep them. All these l just
purchased are old and worn. For good ar
ticles l pay better prices. | sometimes pity
the people who know are driven here by
necessity, but l cannot let my pity over
come NE 81 biIdb MAY lOSe money.
"Al of our customers are not so poor.
People think that it is always the poor who
come to us, but they are mistaken. The
rich come to us and buy our goods. Mer-
chants worth 100000 or more come to us to
be fitted. What does it matter whether
your suit has been worn before by another
and perhaps a better man? You don't
keep away and refuse to live in houses
when the owners are dead; not much. You
jump at his home, and why not into his
clothes and his shoes?"
COST OF SUITS.
'"What do your suits cost when in good
condition.
"They are very cheap" he continued.
"a suit that once cost $50 can sell in quite
as good condition for $40 or S15."
"When is your best trade"
about twilight, when the most moneyed
customers arrive here. Their trade is al
ways good, easily and speedily conducted.
"Yes, it's cold-blooded business, but
all engaged in it are not Of -bl0oded
nature. / remember one of the hardest
cases in the line, who died several years
ago. No matter how much an article was