The daily Alaskan., 1909-12-20
SHOPPING IN MEXICO
Women Get Plenty of Excitement
 In Making a Purchase.
BARGAINING AS A FINE ART.

the Final Selling Price Works Out Something Like a Farce Comedy.
 When a woman goes shopping in the City of Mexico, especially lf she speaks Spanish, she gets far more excitement for her money in the course of an aft eruoou than she could hope to compass in a years time in America
 In the Spanish and French dry goods houses, where the trade Is almost ex- cluslyely feminine, the goods are marked with the asking price" which Is mere mathematical fgure of speech. and the first question that the experienced shopper always asks of khe salesman is, What Is your last prlce?"
 This "ultlmo preclo' Is generally about % per cent less than the selling price with which tue goods are tagged. It forms. however. a 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 Tue woman customer may wish to purchase a few yards of silk, for example The marked price Is. say. S2 a yard, aud the last price" Is given as $l5O. The woman will look at the piece she desires with the same uuconcerued scorn with which she regards everything else that is shown her. She will disparage 1t 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, but I'm weary with this vain task of endeavorIng 10 find some thing that ! wish In this second class establishment The prices are far high CT than anywhere else, but try to patronlze this place because the pro- prietors are friends of my husband Now, that rose silk is not the shade wish, but ! might be able Co use 1t some time lf could buy it at req sonable price"
 The salesman. who has been listen ing with au assumed air of sympathy, responds with an the Gowery elo- Quence that he can command and with a constant play of rapid gestures, his lighted cigarette in one hand describ- ing a little arc Of fire somewhat dim mer than the diamonds be wears on his Gugers.
 "Seuorlta. We place 0t your feet this establishment and all that it contains It Is your house. and you may do with 1t as you win. But the very last price at which | can oTer you this silk is SI.25 a yard. do this with fear of losing my position, but with the hope that the proprietors will pardon my au- daclty when they learn that your hus- band is one Of their personal friends"
 CT thank you. senor," responds the shopper. "I appreciate your consid- eratiou, but l could not possibly ac- cept the silk as a gift. Nevertheless I would be willing under the circum- stances, so that you might make a reasonable profit. to give you 90 cents a 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 if be is a master of the sell Ing art as known in that country tears come to bis eyes and he wrings bis hands apparently in the depths of despair and chagrin. The Mexicans dearly love acting and dissimulatiOn of all sorts, and this byplay of the ! clerk is but a part of the price of the goods. After frenzied ejacuIadOns be puts the price down to Sl a yard, say ing that that figure is the Hast of the ! last prices" The lady has been gaz- ing about indiGerently 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 sbe remarks:
 Sixty cents-nO more. 1t is my last word. AdiOs, senor."
 "One little moment, senOrita. Do not depart in anger, Rather than let | gOQ HO kAAH eNA AAsg AN'N SAN e+AtA e.e 90 cents a yard, and will make up the difference from my own pocket"
 The lady hesItates, turns back as if indifferent, yet undecided, Then she again starts toward the door, speaking the phrase of pious farewell which is the Spanish equivalent of a final good by.
 May you go with God, senor" She almost has reached the portal when the salesman catches up with her. Be has had time to light anoth- CT cigarette to f0rtIfy himself for the final struggle. and, waving this ln one hand, he begs her, almost on pended ! knees, to return and take the silk at ! 80 cents a yard. She looks languidly upon him. She has concluded that so cents would be about the right price and probably the best she can do. Yet she returns uudaunted and In the soft est of voices breathes the Spanish words which are the equivalent in that tongue for 70 cents. After ten min | utes more of GrmueSs on the shoppers