The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-03-09
An ADRoIT SELL.
a rrecious Pair OF Kogues.


One day a gentleman called in at
the store of Mr. Ralph Hardman. IN
Pawtucket, with q violin under his
arm. lie purchased q neckt:e for
which he paid fifty cents, and then
asked permission TO leave his box
while he did a few crrands down
town. Old Hardman-a dealer in
new and secondhand clothing-had
no objection.
at is a violin,r said the gentleman,
(which :. prize very highly. Ii was
given me by an Italian, who died at
nv fathers house. 1 beg of yOu to be
careful of it, sir"
Mr.. Hardman promised, and the
owner of the precious violin depart
ed. r..,eEF -..,.~ ..sf.t.,
Toward noon, while the old cloth
ing dealer was very deeply engaged
in the work of selling suit of shod-
dy for bang-up Prussian trieet,
stranger entered the store--a remark
ably well dressed man, with a distin-
| guished look. The violin bow was in
| sight upon the shelf, and no one was
| near TO prevent, the newcomer slip
ped agelsnd and sopened the box aud,
took out the Instruments very dark
hued and ancient looking one.
/ Halioi' cred Hartman, when he
| heard the sound OF the violin, what
! for you touch dat. eh ?'I.' iii. ..sI3as
The stranger explained that he was
proIes ssor-that he was a leader OF
| orchestra-and that he could never see
/ violin without trying it. And then
/ he drew the bow across the strings,
playing few passages OF hne- oid
! German waltz.
"My soulw he cried, after he had
run his fingers over the instrument
awhile, g that is the best violin L ever
sawI There is not better one in the
city-a perfec ly genuine old Cremo-
ma! will give you hundred dol
lars for it," .@53ii5 l''i' 1-'. -'-
Hardman said it was not his. IIm
81 will give you hundred and fit
ty! Two hundred" f.f -e,-sFt ,..,3.
Mr.. Hardman was forced TO explain
how the violin came TO be left in the
store. -4t4il fJ3s. bj. i3i't'
The stranger had taken out his
pocket book, and drawn forth two
one hundred dollar bank notes. lie
put them back, remarking:
s' must have the violin if money
will buy it, When the owner returns.
he cannot wait, ask him to meet. me
here at six O'Clock. If he cannot dc
: that, tell him to call at the Office of the
Treasurer OF the Academy of Music
and inquire for the director of the or
chestra. Will you do that ?" ..ls
Hardman said he would.
"But." suggested the stranger
"you need not tell the man what
said about his violin, nor what 1--we
offered; because he may have no ides
of the treasure he possesses. Yor
will be careful and circumspect."
The stranger went away, and RALPH
Hardman reflected. In the course o
r an hour the owner of the violin re
turned, and asked for the box. Blu
the shoddy man had been captivatet
by the golden bait. it.'i a3 A17tJ .
j, What would the gentleman sci
, his violin for!"4 ssfr-rf,.r r.5fl o5
: At first the gentleman would no
listen to the proposition but after
deal of q talk, he Confessed that p
Was not himself a professor, and eout'
not we'll afford to keep such valu
able instrument. He would sell IT TO
! S175-not penny less.
!. !. Ralph Hardman paid the none,
. :. and became the legal possessor OF tn
!, violin, ready to take anywhere fron
;, $500 to $500 from the director of tn
. orchester, as he might be able. .otf.
= But the director did not come. A
= the end of week, Hardman carrie
!. the violin to professional friend an
: asked him what was its real value
- His friend examined it and said (:
. "Two dollars and half withou
\ the box"
= Ralph Hardman was of opinion ths
: the gentleman who lett the violin ]
=. his care was swindler, and that tn
2 director was partner in the buslnes
:; and that together they had made hiI
q their victim. That night shoddy ws
:, marked up 10 per cent. - -