CHAPTER XV.
The Village Merchant.
Next to the official class stands the farmer, and next to the farmer stands the merchant in the social scale. There are many merchants, though many of them do a very small business, and they would not rank as merchants at all in a country like the United States. Formerly there was a most powerful organization known as the Peddlers' Guild. This was composed of both traveling and local merchants, and made one of the most powerful organizations in the country. It engaged in politics as a sort of side line to such an extent that the officials dared not run counter to its wishes. Within the last decade it has largely lost its power, both politically and commercially, though we sometimes hear talk of its being revived. In the palmy days of this guild it ruled with an iron hand, and could have taught the labor unions of the West some "tricks of the trade." This feature of union in guilds is not only among the merchants, but among tradesmen and business in other lines. I now recall having made a trade with a horseman for a certain price, only to have him break it because the head man of the stables in his town would not let him carry it out. So with the village merchant he must "stand in with the boys," or he will not be allowed to do business in the markets. At the present time stores are to be found in Seoul and all the larger towns, and in many smaller villages there
