Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1889 — Discount. [ARTICLE]

Discount.

It used to be the custom, and is now in many localities, to “beat down” in all trades with storekeepers and merchants. An amusing example of this practice is given below : In the old haggling -wav of trade it was customary to demand a great deal more than the asker hoped to get. One time, on the Texas frontier, a man came into tamp riding .on an old mule. “How much for the mule?” asked a bystander. “Just a hundred dollars,” answered the rideT. “I’ll give you five dollars,” said the other. The rider stopped short, as if In amazement, and slowly dismounted. “Stranger,” said lie) “I ain’t a-going to let a little matter of ninety-five dollars stand between ,me and a mule trade. The mule’s yourn.” Another story, somewhat of the same sort, is related of an old tenant farmer who, on paying his rent, told his landlord that he wanted some timber to build a house, and would be much obliged if he would give him permission to cut down what would answer for the purpose. “No! said the landlord, sharply. “Well, then, sir,” the farfner went on, “will you give me enough to build a bam ?” “No!” “To niake a gate, tjien?” “Yes.” y “That’s all I wanted,” said the farmer,” and mbre than I expected.”