TRICKS OF TRADE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1176, 20 November 1883, Page 3

TRICKS OF TRADE.

A Wellington paper tells the following little story of the way a Masterton draper augmented his trade:— "Mr G W Schroder, a soft-goods dealer at Masterton, engaged an assistant in Wellington, some two or three months ago, and the following letter written by him will show how he set about to make a splash : ' Dear Sir,—lf you can make it convenient to come to Masterton on Saturday next, per first train, I should very much wish it, as Saturday next is the first day of my sale. I must now give you particulars of the business tact which I have thought proper to make use of. I have made it public thai I am expecting my cousin, a young man, well to do, good-looking, about 25 years of age, single, thorough good draper, very liberal, and intending tosettlei down in Masterton, so much so, that he is bringing with a complete set of household furniture. The effect bo far is immense, and I wish for the next month at least, to let the young ladies enjoy their own opinion, and patronise my store in the meantime. You mentioned that your wife intended spending a holiday in Palmerston for about a month, consequently it will suit admirably. When your wife wishes to return, Bhe could come to Masterton by coach, as we have three coaches per week. 1 wish you, when you come to wear my silkhafcup, now at Hill's, have advised him that it will be palled for. Also bring Mrs Schroder's chair and present her with it, as the girls are very anxious to see what you are like, and think it very thoughtful on your part to think of Mrs 8. My show of colored pigeons 1 have coming off on Saturday next, and hope you will be there to enjoy the fun. If you cannot come by the first train come by the 4.5 p.m. train, as your week's notice expires on Saturday at 12 o'clock. I prefer you to come by early train, as you will then have daylight all the way. 1 Of course the good-looking, well-to-do cousin arrived, wearing the identical brand-new belltopper from Hill's, presented Mrs Schroder with the chair, which was already her own, and was duly installed behind the counter to the ad-

miration of all the young ladv customers. Here he remained till recently, hin wife having in the meantime dispelled the hopes of the fair damsels who flockod to the shop by putting in an appearance. The handsome young man, however, proved ungrateful to his friend and employer by arousing hie suspicions regarding; the whereabouts of certain goods which Mr Schroder averred ought to be in his shop ; and the affair, therefore, came to be ventilated in the Resident Magistrate's Court.