Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1901 — A Trafficker in Vanity. [ARTICLE]

A Trafficker in Vanity.

There are many queer pursuits in the world, but of them all it is doubtful if any rank higher in the “Land of the Odd" that the traffic carried on by an enterprising Yankee in New York. He has his place in the basement of one of the office buildings on lower Broadway. and deals in labelled trunks and traveling bags—that is, trunks and traveling bpgs that have seen service abroad, and that bear the labels of foreign hotels. A man going to Europe, if he works judiciously, can on his return get twice what he paid for his bag or trunk at starting. The enterprising Yankee who conducts this queer traffic meets the passengers of Incoming steamers. He sizes up his people with an accuracy born of long .experience, knowing instindtively who it is that has probably exhausted his funds on his trip on the other side, and who will be very willing to accept a good price for his labelled traveling appurtenances. The more labelled, of Course, the higher is the price. There is almost no risk in this business because the man has a greater demand than he can supply for the decorated merchandise In which he deals.