Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-01-28
COULDN'T NEGOTIATE.
The Ignorant Tradesman Who Didn't E
Iieye in keciDrocity.

The Ignorant Tradesman Who Didn't Be-
lieve in Reciprocity.
How much do you ask for this
basket of peaches?" said man who
entered a South Water street orchard
one afternoon.
"Only fifty cents" answered the hor-
ticulturist in charge.
''Only fifty cents?" echoed the caller.
do you call that cheap"
Yes, sir, for peaches of that quality.
They're sweet, ripe, juicy and free from
bruises. You won't find better peach
in this market, and I'm betting money
on it.'
''They are cheaper than that in Della
ware"
But this isn't Delaware, my friend.
Take a good look at those peaches No,
you needn't tear hole in the gauze.
Here's an opening in the side of the
basket. You can see for yourself
They're sound as dollar, best free
stones, good all the way down, and if
this wasn't big year for peaches that
that basket would cost you a dollar and
a quarter
No cheaper, I reckon, if I should
take half a dozen baskets?"
II might shade 'em for you little,
but it's just as l tell you. There isn't
better peach in the market anywhere
to-day than these, and"
Take forty-fve cents for this bas-
ket?"
"Well-yes," said the dealer, after a
moments hesitation" But -
six of 'em for two dollars and forty
cents?"
II oughtn't to come down a cent on
'em, but if you want six I'll let you
have 'em for two dollars and half"
make it two dollars and forty
Cant do it."
Two forty five, then"
"All right
The caller whipped book out from
under his coat, opened it, and began
talking rapidly:
Here's little work I'm introducing
in this neighborhood. It's called The
Housekeepers Friend 1t tells you
how to get up a party, how to make a
bed, fly kite, get rid of coclroaches,
cure warts, corns and improving toe
nails, how to enter a drawing-room,
paint on glass, mend crockeryware,
dress a chicken. cook a.
"Thunderation." What do ( want
of -
Cook lobster, take care of a cana
ry, bring your children up to obey you.
clean spots out of carpets, how to tell
mushrooms from toadstools, what kind
of books you ought to read -"
'See here. don't -"
"And I'm offering this book for ex.
actly two dollars and forty-five cents.
It's worth ten dollars of any mans
money, but I'm selling it at low price
to introduce it. At two dollars and
forty-five cents it will just pay for these
peaches, and -"
Il don't want it at all. sir!''
Look it over; you'll find it's all l
claim for it. What is miserable half
dozen baskets of peaches compared
with a book that shows you how to
approach a cow when you want to milk
her, that gives you directions about
cultivating your mind -
II tell you l don't want your bool1r'
"Heyr'
II wouldn't give you ten cents for a
boxful of such books
"You wouldn't?"
NO. sir!'
who's asking you to give ten cents
for a boXful of them? l came in here,
sir, like a man to negotiate trade with
you. You have given me your lowest
price for six baskets of peaches and I've
given you my lowest cash price for a
book worth a hundred baskets. l have
offered, sir. to make an even trade. And
you refuse!''
Eyes, and if you don't get out OF
here
I'm going, sir!' said TIE caller. in
the severe, dignifed tone of man adj
ministering a deserved reproof to an
impudent hired man. "A person, sir.
who doesn't care enough about learning
how to dress properly. take care of
pigeons, acquire an easy grace of man
ner. cook egg plant and detect counter
felt money, and who doesn't believe in
the grand principle of reciprocity in
commercial transactions, is not worthy
of the name of an American citizen
That is all, sir. Good afternoon."-C
cago Tribune