New-York tribune., 1902-07-26
on THE HUNT FOR CURIOS.
SKILL AND PATIENCE REQUIRED TO Sc
CURE BARGAINS IN MEXICO.


I'm the City of Mexico hunting is one of the
pastimes which may be indulged in by those who
have taste for quiet sport and who possess the
requisite skill and patience. considerable measure
OF which is required. since the object of pursuit
must be approached with caution. and. once capt
ured held with a firm grasp" says a woman trav-
eller
In the pawnshops which fairly dot the city
one may find pieces of fine old furniture and OBJ
Jects art of various such as old porcelains
and paintings. These often covered with dust
and tucked away in the darkest corners of musty
back rooms, but this does at all disturb the
keen scented hunter. who rejoces at a condition OF
| affairs which offers field for his fnesse.
1T usually pays for a shopper to be polite, and
the potter the better. To Mexican the ordinary
brusqueness of the average American often ap-
pears to be insulting rudeness and since he
CARDS his store, however humble, his castle, he
expects entering it to observe the same
formality and courtesies that he would If he were
entering a private house in some social capacity.
Therefore polite sautation should be the first
step in the transaction Ordinarily the freedom Of
the shop is given to prospective purchaser, who
can go poking about, rummagng in OF the
way corners.
WHEN A PURCHASE IS MADE
when he has found something desirable the
last thing which he should is to betray that
fact by word look. After examining several
| articles he asks the price of them including in
the number the object desired When the price Of
that particular thing is announced he gives little
start of well feigned surprise and disgust and re-
marks: oh. it isn't worth that" Or perhaps he
shrugs his shoulders and says in a disinterested
way: Very well. I don't care much for it In
either the dealer is then likely to INQUIRE with
considerable eagerness: How much do you give
me-? whereupon the purchaser names a price one
half or onethird of the price originally stated and
approaching the object in plying or disdainful
way, points out its various defects. scratch here
, crack there etc, and ends by explaining that
really he has very little for such an article but
that II 1t were larger or smaller. older
or in fact anything except what it actually is he
might desire IL, but that things being as they are
1t Is quite out of the question However having
made an offer, he will. OF course abide by it. etc
The dealer shows that he feels the shock which
the purchasers lack of appreciation gives to his
feelings but the purchaser appears less and less
inclined to press the matter. and starts for the
door The shopkeeper waits until he is fairly ont
side the shop and Enthusiastically departing Then
ne rushes to the door, crying out in counterfeit de-
spair: Take it! Take it" At this gladstone sound
the purchaser saunters leisurely back, receives his
purchase nonchalantly, and does not let anv of his
delight leak out until he is safely away from the
shop for, although the present bargain is safe he
must remember that there may be another time
TO one who has never tried this particular kind
Of shopping all of this will seem trivial and nettv
and even dishonorable. but few actual expert
ences VIII convince the most scrupulous that the
course just described is the only feasible one TO be
pursued. One need not feel any conjunction about
making small offers. because he may rest assured
that the dealer will not part with ANYTHING
for less than what is TO him its market value:
and one may feel equally easy about deluding him
as to ones estimate Of values for IL the nur
chaser should in the beginning offer the true yaue
the dealer would Immediately raise the price and
II that were acceded to. he would once CON
clude that the object in question some price
fabulous '' 'lN7
HIS LEGITIMATE PREY.
The dealer regards the naughty 'gringo' as his
legitimate prey. and there is reason why the
gringo should assist the pawnbroker to make
than the modest gain of 100 or 200 per cent on
his transactions Where an object is truly valu-
able II one could find the original owner he might
feel like doing something to compensate his loss
Its value; but where article has passed through
should give to the last Of the series the benefit
OF OF taste & and knowledge which he deserves more
IS the tne efda5 shf saP9g d grounds f the
Market'-an old market which has long been a
notorious fence for thieves. In times past If any
il turn up at the Thieves Market but but Of recent recent
and no longer enjoys an absolute monopoly Of
stolen booty, However. the market still presents to
most Of which are mere Junk, but some of which
a collection of small booths in which one may find
ANYTHING from second hand toothbrush 10 big
at first eyeTything, seems to be in fragments;
brass. scraps of embroderies. and pitchers and
pots with broken noses and handles; but among
good painting. "a piece of rare lace, some valuable
porcelain. a carving stolen from some altar.
The great day of the week this all the
other markets, is Sunday; and IL is distinctly
case of the early bird. one can always the
industrious hunters Fastening toward the 'Vola-
dor while the morning is still gray and chilly and
ntting from booth to another in alarm lest
equally devoted one will have carried off all
the prizes.
ION the whole there are , many many, Joys @ in the pur
two classes namely. the times when one has paid
a sum obviously greater than that which tho dealer
would gladly have accepted, and the times when by
] a little IN concealed avidity one sss caused