Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-10-30


Something Like q Farce Comedy.
When woman goes shopping In the
City of Mexico. especially If she speaks
Spanish. she gets far more excitement
for her money 10 the course of an aft
ernoon than she could hope to compass
In years time 10 America.
In the Spanish and French dry goods
houses. where the trade Is almost ex-
clusively feminine. the goods are
marked with the asking price," which
is mere mathematical figure of
speech. and the first question that the
experienced shopper always asks of
the salesman is, what is your last
price?"
This "ultimo precio" is generally
about % per cent less than the selling
price with which the goods are tagged.
II forms. however. certain basis from
which to start the bargaining. which
thereafter is carried on with all the
skill and fury that characterize such
transactions everywhere throughout
Latin America The womnn customer
may wish to purchase a few yards of
silk. for example. The marked price
is. say. So a yard. and the last price"
is given as Sl.50. The woman will
look at the piece she desires with the
same unconcerned scorn with which
she regards everything else that Is
shown her. She will dispnrage It from
every point OF view and finally ask for
something that Is not likely to be In
stock. AT last she will Sigh and look
about In despair.
''Caramba. bur I'm weary with this
vain task OF endeavoring TO find some
thing that | wish In this second class
establishment. The prices are far high.
er than anywhere else. but ! try to
patronize this place because the pro-
prieiors are friends OF my husband
Now. that rose silk is not the shade I
wish. but | might be able to use It
some time II could buy 1t at rea.
sonabe price,"
The salesman. who has been listen.
ing with an assumed air of sympathy.
responds With all the fowery elo-
quence that he can command and with
constant play OF rapid gestures. his
lighted cigarette In one hand describ-
ing little are of tire somewhat dim
mer than the diamonds he wears on
his fingers.
"Senorita. we place at your feet this
establishment and all that II contains.
Ii Is your house. and you may do with
II as you will. But the very last price
at which can offer you this silk Is
SIPS a yard. do this with fear of
losing my position. but with the hope
that the proprietors will pardon my au-
dacity when they learn that your bus
band Is one Of their personal friends"
II thank you. senor." responds the
shopper. II appreciate your consid.
Grafton. but l could not possibly &C.
cept the silk as gift. Nevertheless
! would be willing under the circum-
stances. so that you might make
reasonable profit. to give you 90 cents
yard for two yards
At this the salesman drops on the
floor the stub OF the cigarette he has
been smoking. This leaves both hands
free. and II he Is a master of the sell
ing art as known In that country tears
come to his eyes and he wrings his
hands apparently In tne depths of
despair and chagrin. The Mexicans
dearly love acting and Discrimination
Of all sorts. and this bypiay OF the
Aln la hs.e ~ ne ha nf ha
goods. After frenzied calculations he
puts the price down to 81 yard. say.
ing that that figure is the last of the
last prices" The lady has been gaz-
ing about indifferently and gathers up
her pocketbook and other impedimenta
as she rises TO depart. AS an after
thought and with condescension that
amounts almost to pity she remarks:
sixty cents-no more. II is my last
word. Adios. senior"
Zone little moment. senorita. Do
not depart In anger. Rather than let
you go thus you may have the silk at
% cents a yard. and will make up
the difference from my own pocket"
The lady hesitates. turns back as II
Indifferent. yet undecided. Then she
again starts toward the door. speaking
the phrase OF plous farewell which Is
the Spanish equivalent of a tinai good
by.
May you so with God. senior"
She almost has reached the portal
when the salesman catches up with
her. He has had time TO light aDoth-
er cigarette to fortify himself for the
hnal struggle. and. waving this In one
hand. he begs her. almost on Bonded
knees. to return and take the silk at
80 cents yard. She looks languidiy
upon him. She has concluded that ~
cents would be about the right price
aud probably the best she can do. Yet
she returns undaunted and In the soft
est of voices breathes the Spanish
words which are the equivalent IN Il
tongue for 40 cents. After ten mil
utes more OF irmness on the shoppers
part and every aspect OF poignant