The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-09-25

"A WITTY AucTi0SEER.-Manyy years ago
thcrc aourishcd in New York. an auction.
ecr named Reese, who had quito reputa.
tion for wit and humor. A correspondent OF
the Publishers Cireuidr says Of him:
Kecse Is remembered BY tho trade with
affection. He was bright, intelligent man,
and on estimable member Of society. or IN
old New York family. he was brought up TO
the book trade. think, by one OF the Quak-
er lraternity-the Coliins!-and Il was only
In middle life. after various experiments In
business, that he became an auctioneer. He
began, if mistake not, somewhere about
the year l845, with q sale to tho trade 10
largo back building in Broadway, near
CORTLAND street. He certainly opened pro.
ceedings with an excellent entertainment Of
oysters and champagne. He was tho life OF
the company, and was called upon Of course,
for specch-probably for half a. dozen
One OF his good things. toward tho close, is
worth remembering. II particularly pleased
the trade at the time. Gentleman, saidhe.
in alluson 70 the entertainment, we arc
scattering our bread upon the waters, and
We expect to fnd II after many days-but-
tered y tr tI ir. o.
~ WIN iu Ioht bSios, uoWONctp ~ sho
small change OF the auction room, that bis
wit appeared to the most advantage. No
catalouge could be too dull for his vivacity.
lie was alwas rapid. and IN unwary custo'
mer would be decapitated by his quick elec'
trio jest before he felt tho stroke. The fol.
lowing, among other things Of the kind at
tributed to him. will give some notion Of his
pleasantries: loss. ~ tai
is that binding calf?' asked a suspicious
purchaser. Come up, my good sir, put
your hand on IL, and see iftherc Is any Tel.
low feeling, was the ready reply. Apcrson
one evening had u copy Of Watts Hymns
knocked down to him for trihe, and inter-
rupted the business of the clerk by calling
for its delivery Kcese, finding out the
cause Of the interference, exclaimed, 'Oh.
give the gentleman tho book. He wants 70
learn and sing ono Of the hymns before he
goes to bed tonight Apropos Of this time.
honored book, In selling q copy on another
OCCASION, when there was some rivalry in the
profession. no turned OF parody rs hs
knocked II down: .tl
'Blest is tho man who shuns tho place
Where other auctions bej ,tFI .-.
And has his money In bis ast,
And buys his books oi me-
His puns were usually happy. and slipped
in adroitly. Offering one Of tho Rev. DR..
Hawks books, hc added, In ON explanatory
way: "A bird Of pray 'Going-going-
gentlemen lone shilling for Caroline Fry
why, IL isn't tho price ot stew Akin to
this was his observation TO q purchaser who
had secured copy Of 'Bacon's Esays' for
twelve and half cents That's too much
pork for u shillingl'
Selling book labelled History Of tho Ia.
ters,' he was asked :i'Isn't that TartsnT
mo! no replied, 'thelr wives were tho Tar.
tara!
This said he, holding up volume Of
well.known type to critics, 'is book By
poor and pious girl, Of poor and pious 20.
ems a 500
No one could better introduce quotation.
Some woman one day found their way Into
tho auction room, 10 q miscellaneous sale OF
furniture. They were excited 70 an emulous
contention for sauce pan, or somsthing OF
the sort. Kecse gave them fair chaucc
with final appeal: 'Going-going-the
woman who dslibemtes 10 lost-gOns?