HIGGLING AT A SPANISH FAIR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 186, 31 August 1871, Page 3

HIGGLING AT A SPANISH FAIR.

In " Castili.in Days," an article in the " Atlantic " for April, is found the following amusing description of ti:e manner in which the Spanish bargain at their fairs: — A. nut-brown maid is attracted by a pretty red and yellow scarf. She asks the sleepy merchant, nodding before his wares, " What is that rag worth ?" He answers with profound indifference, £: ten reals." " Hombro ! Are you dreaming or crazy ?" She drops the coveted neckgear and moves on, apparently horrorstricken. Tho ehn.pma.ii calls her back peremptorily, " Don't be rash ! The scarf is worth twenty reals, but for the sake of Sautissima Marie I offered it to you for half price. Very well ! You ar^ suited. What will you give?" " Ciiramba ! Am I buyer and seller as •well ? The thing is worth three reals ; more is a robbery." " Jesus ! Maria ! Jose ! and all the family ! Go thou with Grod ! We cannot trade. Sooner than sell for eight reals I will raise the cover of my brains ! It is eight of the morning, and still thou dreamest." She lays down the scarf reluctantly, saying " Five ?" But the outraged mercer snorts scornfully, "Eight is tho last word ! Gro to !" She moves away, thinking how well that scarf would look in the Appllo Gardens, and casts over her shoulders Parthian glance and bids " Six !" " Take it ! It is madness, but I cannot waste my time in bargaining." Both congratulating themselves on the operation. He would have taken five, and she would have given scren. How trade would suffer if we had windows in our breasts ! The pecular merit of this lies in the adriot literalnes3 of the translation from the virginal Spanish.