Mr. Monday and other tales of Jewish Amsterdam

38 Adr. Monday and Other Tales of Jewish Amsterdam

on Dam Square. One hundred years ago a mayor lived there and when he died they put on his tombstone "When common people call upon you, care for them like for yourself." That might also be the epitaph of Joseph Italiaander. He roves around busily and quickly on political battlefields. The loquacious little man may seem to many at meetings a troublesome gadfly, but he means well.

Someone stands still before his shop window and Joseph positions himself next to the man. In his high, squeaky voice he says to him "I believe I know you. Aren't you a friend of Maupie Wegloop ("walk away", another odd surname from the time of Napoleon).

There really is a Maupie Wegloop, and it is also true that this person is an acquaintance of Joseph Italiaander. But all the rest is made up. That's the art of accosting. With his eyes closed and his rifle at the wrong shoulder, Italiaander has fired a wild shot. But that experienced tout has put his question with the mysterious timbre in his voice to which few people are impervious. The future customer considers. He really does not know this Maupie Wegloop at all, but why should he disappoint that friendly little man with the happy moon-face smile.

So he answers "Maupie Wegloop...?Yes, indeed I know him." When the man has told this little white lie he is irretrievably lost. Before the spider will let him escape from the web, the little fly has bought a costume or an overcoat, or at least a pair of trousers, or at the very least a silk neckerchief.

But this "mutual acquaintance" ploy does not always work. It can also go like this.