The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-11-07
From CasselPs Magazine,l
The Crinklet0n Mystery.

.
From Casselps Magazne1
The CrinkletOn Mystery.
Our grotesque teapot was an article decid-
eddy ugly, wearing permanent and disagree
able grin, and with kind of snake arrange
ment for handle and spout. The gentle as
sociations-the days labor done, the draw
ing in 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 tie ami
able fluid poured from such vessel by gentle
hands, almost painful one. But 1 would
not part with it for any money; it is held in
affection like cherished heirloom. Yet it is
damaged-indeed, from the network of lines
and cracks which covers it, even an unpro-
fessona could see thatlit had been 'ssmash-
ed into ahundred pieces at least. So it has.
One day it got fall-was dropped-and lay
on the floor, shivered into heap of frag-
ments. 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. astiu
well recollect the day that my dear father
secured ii, and when he said it was ga
unique" We could see no beauty in it, al
though we tried hard to do SO, and, as to its
nniqueness, we rather thought it was AMI adj
vantage for the world, and for the spread of
taste. He was considered general enthusi-
asst, this Mr.. Crinkleton, and, as once over
heard a 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 little odd. Not
that he was one of the reckless, wasteful am.
ateurs, with whom collecting is passion as
impossible to be resisted as drinking, and
who devour and swallow everything with
reckless craving. He had the most surpris-
Ing taste and judgment, and it was admitted
that the choicest and most valuable portion
of his collection had been gathered very
cheaply, when he was poor man. But 1
can see Ihave been assuming a good many
things asJknown, which there has not been
time to tell.
1, who have now the grotesque teapot in
my hard, and am relating this story, was his
soma son that worshiped him, and sympa-
thized with what friends called his hobby (;
though frankly own / never could under
stand how this plate was precious, or that jug
was rare, or this ''bit'' of Palsy 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. sa
However, he understood these things, and
did not, though he often offered to teach,
or rather inspire, me- Gradually the house
began to fill with these treasures. Corner
shelves and cupboards appeared, and were
crowded. Cabinets became choke full, and
the fame of the SCrinkleton Collection" be-
gan to spread.
As is usual in such cases, public opinion
diuiIo1 In
laughing at and plying that poor man who
was wasting his own and the family substance
in lot of crockery and gallipots; the other
looking, knowing and saying that sslittle old
Crinketon' knew well what he was about,
and would, by-and-by, sell the collection for
ten times the amount it cost him. 1t did, in
deed, seem likely--for what he had bought
for a few shillings he was now offered pounds.
was all this time what is called "a little
thing''-a pet, dividing the affection of my
father with his other treasures. That con-
stituted our entire family-I finding new re-
lations every day, in the shape of China
dogs, Chelsea shepherds, Dresden beauties,
and Toby jugs. Oh, the. Battersea enamel
snuff-boxes and wine labels! the tea urns of
rare Bedln !-but 1 mus. leave this subject,
or shall never get OH.
One day, however, there came surprise,
not TO say shock for me. That queer little
Crinkleton, as the neighbors and friends
would call him, had brought some new treas
ures and curiosities. Alasi a step-mother
and her daughter. ~
They were very designing people, and be-
lieye frightened him into it. He was shrink
ing and timorous; he would never have had
courage to carry such scheme into execu-
ton. Thenceforth began new and, for me,
a terrible life. They brought no money with
them, though he was persuaded that he was
doing what is called ga good thing"
They very soon convinced him of the con-
trary. Two more rapacious spoilers could
not be conceived. Every moment in the day
they were making an inventory of ''the prop
erty'' about them with a questioning eye. An
order was sternly set forth that all buying
was 10 be given up, and that "good money"
was no longer to be squandered on rubbish.
Yet it could be seen that with an extraordi.
nary inconsistency, they watched jealousy
over every article of the property, 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 saway under this
despotism. As for M, felt that all happi-
ness was gone, and that was living in a
prison under the charge of jailers. Many
were the little furtive walks he took with
mel being no older than eight or ten years
when we would make our way guilty to the
narrow lane or street, to gaze at curiosities
which he dared not purchase. 1t was miser-
able for me, whose hand was in his, to note
is 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 the grotesque teapot. The sight
brought the color to his cheeks, for he had
nothing Of that pattern in the collection. 1t
was exposed in poor, mean little deu-not
a curiosity shop at ala kind of huckster's
place. Here the teapot was offered with
view OF finding some purchaser who would
use 1t for the purpose of making tea. He
was enraptured with it. He could at least
ask the price. ur-and-siXpence-wOrth
he said, 5 gnineas, and would be worth
double by-and-by. As we went out it was
offered for three-and-six. 1t was very tempt
ing, but he resisted it then.
The next day he took me out with him for
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 in
stinct 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 a UNIQUE
like the teapot-opened the door and gave a
policeman-like look at his figure. The gro
tesque was hidden away under his coat, but
great protnberance revealed its place of
concealment We were both arrested, the
trembling victimassailed by both women,
and Che grotesque confiscated on the spot,
as, indeed, all his treasures had been already.
saw them later inspecting it curiously and
with eager eyes, for they lad suspicion of
its real value, and after all trusted to his
judgment.
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.
one day, too, heard them talking ear