The Van Buren press., 1869-08-24
Budget Of SciSsoringS.
An Adroit Sell.
One dsy a gentleman called in at astor.


One day gentleman called in at a stor
OF Mr., Ralph Hsrdman, with violil
box under his arm, He purchased
necktie, for which he paid fifty cents
and then asked permission to leave hi
box while he did few errands dowi
town. Old Hardman---a dealer in new
and second hand clothing-had no OBJ
lection
|. is a VIOLIN" said the gentleman
which prize very highly. 1t was Civ
en- to rae BY an old Italian, who died a,
nay fathers house, l beg you to bs
very careful of it, sir"
Mr.. Hardman promised, and the own,
er Of the precious viol depnrted
Toward noon, while the old clothing
dealer was very deeply engaged in the
work of selling suit of shoddy for
bang-up Prusian Tricot, stanger enter
ci the storc-a remarkably well dressed
man, with distinguished look The
violin box was in sight upon ashelf, and
rs no one was near to prevent, the new
domer slipped around and opened the
box, and took out the instrumental
very dark hued and ancient looking one.
Halo" !" cried IIarClman, when he
heard the sound of the violin, what for
You touch dat, ch y
The stranger explained, that he was =
professor-that he was the leader Of an
orchestra-and that he could never see a
violin without trying it. And then he
drew the bow across the strings, playing
few passages of fine old Germsn
waltz
" MY soal." he cried, after he had
run his figers over the instrument awhile,
thrt is the best violin | over saw -
There is not better one in the city--a
perfectly genuine OLD Cramena! i will
give you hundred dollars for it,
lIardman said it was not his.
:" will give you hundred and fifty J
two hundred !"
Mr. IIsrdman was forced to explain
how the violin came to be left in his
care.
The stanger had taken out his pocket
book, and drawn forth two one hundred
dollar bank notes. lie put thhm back,
remarking:
I" must have that violin if money can
buy it. When the owner returns will you
ask him to meet me here at six o'clock
IL he caunet do that, tell him to call at
the Office Of the Treasurer Of the Acade
my of Music, and inquire for the Direc
tor Of the Orchestra. Will you do it p
liardman said he would
=" But suggested the stranger, "yeu
need not tell the man what / said about
his viol, nor what live offered; because
hc may cave no idea Of what treasure
he possesses. You will be careful and
circumspect."
The stanger went away, and Ralph
llardman reflected In the course Of an
hour the owner Of the violin returned,
and asked for his box. But the shoddy
man had been captivated by the golden
bait
What would the gentleman sell his VI
olin?
At G:s. ths gentleman would not listen
to the proposition; but after deal OF
talk he confessed that he was not himself
professor, and could not well afford to
keep such valuable instrument He
would sell it for S175,
Ralph Hardman paid the money snd
became the legal possessor Of the violin,
ready to takh anywhere from three to
five hundred dollars from the director 0!
the orchestre, as ho might be able.
But the did uot como. At the end OF
Of a week Hardman carried the violin to
a professional friend and asked him what
was its real value His FREUD examined
cd it, end said;
Two dollars and half, without the
box"
Ralph Hardman was strongly Of the
opinion that the gentleman who left tho
violin in his care was a swindler, and
that the director was a partner in the
business, and that, together, they had
made him their victim That night xhod
dy was marked up ten per cent