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WE know a great many businessmen, famous for driving hard bargains, who would consider an insinuation that they were not influenced by honest principles in their dealings a gross outrage. And yet such an insinuation would involve only the truth. Hard bargains, by which others are made to suffer in order that we may gain, are not honest transactions; and calling them so don’t in the least alter their quality.

We have our doubts whether men who overreach others in this way, are really gainers in the end. They get to be known, and are dealt with by the wary as sharpers.

A certain manufacturer–we will not say of what place, for, our story being substantially true, to particularize in this respect would be almost like pointing out the parties concerned–was obliged to use a kind of goods imported only by two or three houses. The article was indispensable in his business, and his use of it was extensive. This man, whom we will call Eldon, belonged to the class of bargain makers. It was a matter of principle with him never to close a transaction without, if possible, getting an advantage. The ordinary profits of trade did not satisfy him; he wanted to go a little deeper. The consequence was that almost every one was on the look out for him; and it not unfrequently happened that he paid more for an article which he imagined he was getting, in consequence of some manœuvre, at less than cost, than his next-door neighbour, who dealt fairly and above-board.

One day, a Mr. Lladd, an importer, called upon him, and said–

“I’d like to close out that entire lot of goods, Eldon. I wish you’d take them.”

“How many pieces have you left?” inquired Eldon, with assumed indifference. It occurred to him, on the instant, that the merchant was a little pressed, and that, in consequence, he might drive a sharp bargain with him.

“Two hundred.”

Eldon shook his head.

“What’s the matter?” asked Lladd.

“The lot is too heavy.”

“You’ll work up every piece before six months.”

“No, indeed. Not in twelve months.”

“Oh, yes, you will. I looked over your account yesterday, and find that you have had a hundred aid fifty pieces from me alone, and in six months.”

“You must be in error.”

“No. It is just as I say.”

“Well, what terms do you offer?”

“If you will take the entire lot, you may have them for ten and a quarter, three months.”

Eldon thought for a few moments, and then shook his head.

“You must say better than that.”

“What better can you ask? You have been buying a dozen pieces at a time, for ten and a half, cash, and now I offer you the lot at ten and a quarter, three months.”

“Not inducement enough. If you will say ten at six months, perhaps I will close with you.”

“No. I have named the lowest price and best terms. If you like to take the goods, well and good; if not, why you can go on and pay ten and a half, cash, as before.”

“I’ll give you what I said.”

“Oh, no, Mr. Eldon. Not a cent less will bring them.”

“Very well. Then we can’t trade,” said the manufacturer.

“As you like,” replied the merchant.

And the two men parted.

Now Eldon thought the offer of Lladd a very fair one, and meant to accept of it, if he could make no better terms; but seeing that the merchant had taken the pains to come and offer him the goods, he suspected that he was in want of money, and would take less than he asked, in order to get his note and pass it through bank. But he erred in this. Eldon fully expected to see Mr. Lladd before three days went by. But two weeks elapsed, and as there had been no visit from the dealer, the manufacturer found it necessary to go to him, in order to get a fresh supply of goods. So he went to see him.