Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1891 — Trade. [ARTICLE]

Trade.

The spirit of barter is one which very early animates certain American children. As soon as they have possessions enough to “swap” for others more desirable, they are happy indeed. The St. Paul Press gives a recent instance of such devotion to trade. “Please, sir,” said a boy to the foreman of a paving gang, “will you give me one of those round cedar blocks?” “Yes, I’ll give you one if you will tell me what you want it for.” “To cover it with carpet, and make a hassock.” “What do you want with a hassock?” “Oh, I can trade the hassock to Mrs. Brown for a bird-cage. Her bird is dead.” “But what can you do with a birdcage without a bird ?” Oh, I don’t want the cage, but I can trade the cage for an oxidized pictureframe.” “Well, of what use is a picture-frame without any picture ?” “But Mr. Oliver has a picture of General Sheridan, and he said he would trade me a hanging-lamp for a good oxidized frame. ” “So it’s the lamp you want!” “No, I’ve no particular use for a lamp, but I can trade a good hanging-lamp for a Persian rug, and the rug for a Mexican parrot, and Tom Higbie will give me his banjo for the parrot. It’s the banjo I want.”