G A HARD BARGAIN.

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 manoeuvre, 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.

"Y