The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-03-03
An AdrOit Sell,

tuShSt, WIN NiOilu uuC&r his drtns |
He purchased necktie for which he
paid fifty cents, and then asked permis.
sion to leave his box while he did a few |
errands down town. Old Jacobs-a
dealer in new and second hand clothing
had no objection.
I" 1t is VIOLIN" said the gentleman,
which l prize very highly. 1t was
given me by an Italian, who died at |
my fathers house. | beg of you to be |
careful Of 1t, SIR"
Mr.. Jacobs promised, and the owner
of the precious violin departed.
Toward noon, while the old clothing |
dealer was very deeply engaged in the
work Of selling suit of shoddy for
bang up Prussian tricot, a stranger en-.
tered the store-a remarkably we'll |
dressed man, with distinguished look.
The violin bow was in sight upon the
shelf, and no one was near to prevent, |
the new. conner slipped around and
opened the box and took out ktIe instru-
ment, q very dark hued and ancient
looking one.
Hallo!" cried Jacobs, when he
heard the sound of the violin, what
for you touch dat, eh ?"
The stranger explained that he was a
professor-that he was leader of an
orche stra-anl that he could never see
a violin without trying it, And then
he drew the bow across the strings,
playing few passages Of a fine old
German walt.
"My soul ~ he cried, after he had
run his fingers over the instrument
awhile, that Is the best violin / ever
saw! There is not better one in the
city-a perfectly genuine old Cremonia!
l will give you hundred dollars for
it.n
Jacobs said it was not his.
" will give you hundred and fifty!
Two hundred"
Mr.. Jacobs was forced to explain how
the violin came TO he left in the store.
The stranger had taken out his pock
ct. book, and drawn forth two one hun.
dred dollar bank notes. He put them
back, rcmarking:
Il must have the violin if money
will buy it. When the owner returns,
will you ask him to wait for me? If
he cannot wait, ask him to meet me
here at 6 o'clock. If he cannot do that
tell him to call ut the Office of the Treas
urer Of the Academy of Music, and in
quire for the director of the orchestra
Will you do that?"
Jacobs said he would.
But" suggested the stranger, "yol
need not tell the man what / said abou
his violin nor what I've offered; be
cause he may have no idea of the treas
ure he possesses. You will be careful
and circumspect."
The stranger went away, and Sole
mon Jacobs relie.ted. In the course {
an hour the owner of the violin return
ed, and asked for the box But tn
shoddy man had been captivated by tn
golden bait.
"What would the gentleman sell h
violin for?'
At first the gentleman would not lis
en- to the first proposition but after
deal of talk he confessed that he wa
not himself professor, and could nc
well afford to keep such valuable il
strument. He would sell it for Sl75-
. not penny less.
Solomon Jacobs paid the money an
became the legal possessor of the violil
= ready to take anywhere from $500
$500 from the director of the orchestr
= as he might be able.
: But the director did not come. A
y the end of week, Jacobs carried I'll
y violin to professional friend and aske
him what was its real value. III
- friend examined it and said:
), 1.-TWO dollars and half without I'll
& boX.n
], Solomon Jacobs was of opinion thi
?, d the gentleman who left the violin
,e his care was a swindler, and that til
It director was partner in the bushes
J. and that together they had made hil
u :, their victim. That night shoddy Wa
8 marked up 10 per cent.