, 1896-04-23
A QUEER TRANSACTION.
The Odd Bargain Driven by a Drummer
in Mexico.

YES" said the drummer. dreamily.
II will take another beer" and as he
said this he drummed upon the table
and gazed out into the smoke-flled
room with PARKWAY eyes. ut was q
curious story" said he. The way l
happened to be In Mexico was this: I
was travelling for the house Of Guggen-
heimer & Co., who were interested In
California wines. Guggenheimer has
gone under, / am sorry to say. He was
forced to suspend payment when there
came that crash in 1893. Well. Guggen>
heimer wanted to start a branch es-
t%ablishment in Nogales. right across
the Arizona line. Our firm had told
me to purchase a cheap building for an
office anywhere in the town. l was
young then, hadn't been travelling long,
and my inexperience was enormous.
didn't know. When I arrived in the
town, l was struck by the shabby shan
ties of which it was composed. A good
wind looked as II 1t would blow the
whole town down. However. as l was
walking around the place. I saw near
the barracks a little shanty with a
roughly scrawled sign on it in Spanish
which meant: This building to let or
for SALE The architecture of this edi-
flee was extremely simple. In fact, 1t
was nothing but four walls and a roof.
1 said to myself: This will do we'll
enough for our temporary office and.
approaching the building. l noticed
that 1t had a barred window, behind
which l saw a Head. The Head saw me
as soon as l saw the Head, and ii
smiled a frank and kindly smile. Then
the Head opened its mouth and cried:
How are you? Better OF than l
am, I'll swear
II was struck with the frank smile
Of the Head, and particularly as 1t af-
forded me an opportunity to talk busi-
ness.
LAS for that said 1. 1t rests en-.
tirely with you to change our places
THE Head looked at me without re-
plying.
81 have just noticed said l. that
this building is to let or for sale.'
1.-The Head burst into a roar of laugh
ter. ,,.
We'll, SIR said l. somewhat net,
tied. I don't see anything to laugh at,
II this building suits me, l would like
to buy it.
"'You would like to buy it?'
Ives. Is 1t possible for me to in.
spect itr
"'Oh, nothing is easier. All you have
to do is to push back the bolt and come
in
1T seemed singular, but the door was
fastened by a bolt on the outside. l
pushed back the bolt and entered. An
other thing struck me strangely-the
building was remarkable for a COM
plete Absence Of furniture, but mas
much as all l intended to do with it was
to use it for storing wine. of course l
didn't need any furniture.
THE Head noticed my astonish,
ment. and said again. with its open
smile: The furniture is being uphols-
tered
"'Ah,' I replied, and let me ask
whether you are willing to sell, and IL
30 whether your price Is high?'
"'Oh. l think not. l would be will
ing to sell at q reasonable figure
Suppose l were to give you 500.
would you take It?
THE Head again laughed. I should
smile l would CCreo que sl")
1.-The deuce! said I to myself. per-
haps there is something wrong with
the building and then aloud I added,
viii you guarantee that the building Ia
soiidly c~onstructed?'
"'solic! My dear sir, II you had
spent ~ much time in 1t as l have, you
would never dream of trying to break
out-I mean. to break It down
Very we'll, then, l will give you
$780,
THE Head regarded me with tho
same open smile.
Are you in earnest?' said he.
ut was evident that he doubted my
financial responsibility. So 1 took out
my purse, and from It extracted ave
800 pieces. There 10 your $780, said /.
He extended his hand, took the gold
pieces. looked at me. and a. he appar.
entity hesitated, I said to him:
II wish to- enter into possession soon,
SO you must sign the usual documents.s
Very well.' he said. I'm sorry I
can not offer you any refreshments. but
my servant has just gone out and taken
the keys Of the cellar with her.
81 thanked him. assuring him that l
was much obliged, but that I was not
in the habit Of drinking between meals.
l took out of my pocket-book a sheet Of
paper. and drew up q contract of sale.
and when he had signed 1t. l babe him
farewell.
"A few days afterwards I appeared
before my newly purchased building,
with two big trucks filled with casks Of
wine. But what was my astonishment
wAaa I found eight men in my house.
I os1ersd them to 90 away. But n
thsy starsd at me without replying.
infosMe1 stAsM that I had bought the
b1llAfng soaAs days before from . man