Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-12-04

BY PERCY FITZGERALD.

agreeDle grin, ana with kind of snake
arrangement for handle and spout. The
gentle sssociations-the days labor done.
the drawing is round the fire, the family
circle, with the cheering and not inebriating
results-seem wholly incompatible with the
use OF such an article; and the spectacle of
the amiable fluid poured from such vessel
by gentle hands, almost painful one But
would not part with it for any money; it
IS held in affection like cherished heirloom.
Yet it is damaged-indeed, from the net
work of lines and cracks which covers it.
even an unprofessional could see that it had
been smashed into hundred pieces at
least. So it has. One day it got fall
was dropped-and lay on the floor, shivered
INTO heap of fragments. The restoration,
deemed impossible at first, was undertaken
for large sum of money, which was paid
with delight, for that fall brought about
what you are now going to hear.
well recollect the day that my dear father
secured it, and when he said it was "a
unique" We could see no beauty in it,
although we tried hard to do so and as to
ITS uniqueness, we rather thought that was
an advantage for the world, and for the
/ spread Of taste. He was considered gentle
enthusiast, this Mr.. Crinkleton, and as once
overheard brother-amateur whisper to his
friend, like particular saucer-all cracked
and mended, and though should not say it,
still the conviction began to force itself on
me of late years that, from over devotion to
this pursuit, he had grown a little odd.
| Not that he was one of the reckless, wasteful
amatuers, with whom collecting is passion
as impossible be to resisted as drinking, and
" "a ND 81
reckless craving. He had the most surpris-
ing taste and judgement, and it was admit
ted that the choicest and most valuable por-
tion of his collection had been gathered very
cheaply, when he was poor man. But
can see that have been assuming a good
many things as known, which there has not
been time to tell.
], who have now the grotesque teapot in
my hand, and am relating this story, was his
son-a son that worshipped him, and sympa-
thized with what frienGs called his hobby
though | frankly own | never could under
stand how this plate was precious, that Jug
was rare, or this bit" of Palssy worth
more than the number of sovereigns that
would cover its surface. confess, indeed, |
had feeling, but it was one of repulsion,
for those brown lizards which kept crawling
over the green plates.
However, he understood these things, and
| did not, though he often offered to teach,
or rather inspire me. Gradually the house
began to be filed with these treasures.
Corner shelves and cupboards appeared, and
were crowded Cabinets became choke-full.
and the fame of the " Crinkleton Collection
began to spread.
As is usual in such cases, public opinion
was divided, one portion of the community
laughing at and pitying that poor man who
was wasting his own and the family sub
stance in lot of crockery and gallipots and
the other looking and knowing, and saying
that "little old Crinkleton" knew well what
he was about, and would by-and-by sell the
collection for ten times the amount it cost
him 1t did indeed seem likely-for what
he had bought for few shilling he was now
offered pounds.
was all this time what is called 81 little
thin" pet, dividing the affection of my
father with his other treasures. That con-
stituted our united family-that perpetually
increasing family-I finding new relations
every day, in the shape Of a china dog, |
Chelsea sheperds, Dresden beauties, and |
Toby Jugs. Oh, the Battersea enamel snuff |
boxes and wine-labels the tea-urns of rare |
Bedlin but must leave this object, or !
shall never get on.
One day, however, there came surprise,
not to say shock. for me. That queer little
Crinketon, as tho neighbors and friends
would call him, had brought some new
treasures and curiosites. Alas n stepmother
and her daughter.
They were very designing people, and,
/ r. II. = 10
Sinking and tihorous, be would never have
had the courage to carry such a scheme
into execution. ThencefOrth began a
new and, for me, terrible life. They
brought no money with them, though
he was persuaded that he was doing what is
called a good thing
They very soon convinced him of the con-
trary. Two more rapacious spoilers could
not be conceived. Every moment of the
day they was making an inventory of " the
property" about them with a questioning
eye An order was sternly sent forth that
al buying was to be given up, and that
good money" was no longer to be squan-
dered on rubbish Yet it could be seen that,
with an extraordinary inconsistency they
watched jealously over every article of pro
perty, counting them, and taking good care
to ascertain their value. All our life in
that house was Of sudden changed. Our
poor dear father seemed to shrink and cover
away under this despotism. As for me, |
felt that all happiness was gone, and that l
was living in prison under the charge OF
ailors Many were the little iurtiye walks
he took with mel being no older than
eight years-when we would make our way
guiltily to the narrow lane or street to gaze
at curiosities which he dared not purchase.
| 1t was miserable for me, whose hand was
| in his, to note his wistful looks, and even
more miserable to see that this was but
part of his sufferings under this slavery,
which grew more and more CALLING every
day.
1t was on one of these occasions that we
spied that grotesque teapot. The sight brought
the color to his cheeks, for he had nothing
of that pattern in the collection. 1t was ex-
posed in the poor, mean little den-not a curl
osity shop at ala kind OF huckster's place.
Here the teapot was offered with view OF
finding some purchaser who would use it for
the purpose of making tea. He was en-
raptured with it. He could at least ask the
price Four-and-sixpence-worth, he SAID,
five guineas; and would be worth double by
and-by. As we went out 1t was offered ior
three-and-si1. 1t was very tempting but he
resisted it then.
The next day be took me out with him for
a walk, but this was for second inspection.
He delayed long before he could make up his
mind, but at last the purchase was made:
Then it was to be brought home, and
then came the difficulty. Where was
it to be placed for their Argus eyes
would detect the slightest change. But
they had an instinct that something was
wrong. The daughter was in the parlor
window, looking up and down the street,
while she-I always thought of her as
though she were unique, like the teapot
opened the door and give policeman-like
glance at his figure. The grotesque wfs
hidden under his coat, but great protuber-
ance revealed its place of concealment. We
were both arrested. the trembling victim
assailed by both women, and the grotesque
confscated on the spot, as indeed all
his treasures had been already. | saw
them later inspecting it curiously, and with
eacer ewes for they had a suspicion OF Its
vaine and after all trusted to his judg-
ment.
Indeed, latterly noticed that this pair
were inspecting the cabinets; and more
than once had surprised them with their
} heads bent down over some little cup or
figure.
estIv. about some one they called " Dim
bly's man. and what he had said, Ihi;
, did pot make much impression, bat II
day or two again, l heard remark aoou,
, Dimbley's man, to the effect that he wa
coming tomorrow. In our next little walk
grown curious about the matter, asked my
father .,,
r "Who is Dimbly's man. father y
He started. :.
.Wby p, he said" what about him
| a -. E,nu- ahont him 2--Mhl