Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-01-12

One day gentleman called in at the
store Of Mr.. Ralph Hardman of Pawtuck-
ct, Rhode Island, with violin under his
arm. He purchased necktie for which
he paid fifty cents. and then asked per-
mission to leave his box while he did tew
errands down town. Old Hardman, n
dealer in new and second hand clothing,
had no objection.
ut is VIOLIN" said the gentleman,
which prize very highly. 1t was given
me BY an Italian, who died at my fathers
house. beg Of sou to be careful OF it.
sir"
Mr.. Hardman promised and the owner
of the precious violin departed.
| Toward noon. while the old dealer was
very deeply engaged in the work of sell
ing suit of shoddy for bang mp Prussian
tricot, u stranger entered the storc-a re-
markably we'll dressed man, with di,-
tinguished lo"k. The violin bow was Ia
sight upon the shelf, aud no one was near
to prevent, the new conner slipped around
and opened the box and took out the in
instruments very dark-hued and ALI
cient looking one.
Halo !" cried IInrdman. when he heard
the sound of the violin, what for you
touch dat. chI'
The stranger explained that he was II
professor-that he was the leader Of an or
chestru, and that he never could see violin
without trying it. And then he drew the
| bow across the strings. playing few pas
sages from q German waltz.
My soul :" he cried, after he had run
his fingers over the instrument awhile,
that is the best instrument / ever saw
! There is not better one in the city
pcfectly genuine old Cremona l wall
give yen u hundred dollars for it,"
Ilardman said it was not his
will give you u hundred and fifty
| Two hundred"
Mr.. Hartman was forced to explain how
the violin came to be left in the store.
The stranger had taken out his pocket
book, and drawn forth two one hundred
dollar bank notes. lie put them back.
remarking:
IL must have the violin if money will
buy it. When the owner returns will
you ask him to wait for me? Ii he cali
not wait ask him to meet me mt o'clock.
If he cannot do thnt. tell him to call mt
the Office OF the Treasurer Of the Aca,le-
my of Music, aud inquire for the director
Of the orchestra. Will 20 do that:'
Hardnan said he would.
"But," suggested the stranger. "you
need not tell the man what said about
the violin because he may have no idea
of the treasure he possesses. You will be
careful and circumspect."
The stranger went away and Ralph
Hardman reflected. In the course Of an
hour the owner of the violin returned and
asked for the box But the sboddy man
had been csptivated by the golden bait.
"Wbat would the gentleman sell his
violin forP'
At first the gentleman would not listen
to his proposition; but, after a deal of
talk, he confessed that he was not himself
professor, and could not afford to keep
such valuable instrument. lie would
sell it for $l7j--not n penny less.
Ralph Hardman paid the money and
became the legal possessor Of the violin.
ready to take anywhere from $500 to
$500 from the director of the orchestra, as
he might be able.
But the director did not come. At the
end of a week, Hardman csrried the ylo-
lin to professional friend, and asked him
what was its real value, his friend ex-
aiDined it and said:
Two dollars aud half without the
box"
Ralph Hardman was strongly of the
opinion that the gentleman who left the
violin in his care was swindlcr, aud that
the director was partner in the business.
and that. together, they had male him their
victim. That night shoddy was marked
up ten per cent. 1