The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-10-30

choose some other article, which should
be the right one. While / was taking
a hurried bird's-eye glance over the col
lection, they came running to me again,
and l was dragged in to see the last
friend l had on earth in his agony.
So he passed away; and after a scarce
ly decent interval the two women were
going about with avarieious eyes, count
ing up the treasures. This time there
was no one to interfere with f'Dimbley's
man." and the eminent firm had pro-
nounced that the whole, when submit
ted to competition at their well-known
mart, would bring vast sum. BY the
will of the deceased collector, made
shortly after his second marriage, the
whole of his property was to go to her,
and a small pittance was kept for us,
that is, for me and my sister, WHO was
at cheap boarding school.
A great fuss began to be made about
the Crinkleton collection, and it was
discovered that another portion was at
some museum in the country, where 1t
had been exhibited, and which was
quite as valuable as that in our house.
The whole, it was expected, would bring
100000 or e12, 900. They were gloat-
ing over their prospect. We-that is,
nv sister and I--would be beggars, but
that they did not think about.
By-and-by the inventory was taken,
the catalogue made out, and the pros
pect discovered to be even more 1nvit-
ing. The men in green baize arrived
to pack and carry away. Spring vans
stood at the door. We saw the whole
stripped gradually-there was not to be
a relic kept $50 [ was told) to remind
us of the dear old collector who had
brought them together. Very timor-
ously I begged that they would let me
choose something which I might keep
as a souvenir but an excuse was made
that q list had been taken, and that it
would be impossible to make any altera-
ton now.
Utterly shocked, and almost desper-
ate with rage at such heartlessness, 1
came to the resolution that I would
have what I wanted, and determined to
secure what was associated with one of
the last acts of my fathers life, at which
[ had assisted, namely, the old teapot.
That should be mine, and should not be
subjected to the proclamation of a sale.
[ did not care for the penalties. which I
knew would be awful they might put
me to the torture, they should never
know where had concealed this relic.
My plans were well laid. [ chose
moment when they had gone out, and,
taking no one into my confidence, pre-
pared to execute the daring scheme. It
was a nervous task. The teapot was
placed, with a few other articles not yet
removed, on high bracket of antique
pattern over the chimney place. Even
standing on a chair, could not reach
it still [ was not to be daunted. I
constructed a sort of ladder formed of
chairs, which, with much trepidation,
l asccnded. [ secured the grotesque
teapot but, without ever having heard
the Latin quotation, F'uciIis descensus, /
found myself cordially indorsing its
truth, and stood there on precarious
balance, carefully holding the treasure,
and not knowing what to do next. To
get down and leave the teapot, it might
be thought, would be the simplest
course; but, with my nervousness, and
its own insecurity, the structure now
began to totter. The next instant I
heard her on the stairs.
How it occurred I know not, but
there followed a crash, I being left
standing upon the insecure construc-
tion, whilst the old cherished teapot
had slipped from my fingers, and was
dashed into a hundred fragments on
the hearthstone They rushed in-I
was dragged down, and in a storm of
seedlings was hurried off for punish.
ment. Il was inflicted with terrible
severity, and I bore it without fiinching.
One thought was even then in my mind,
to recover the shattered fragments,
keep them in that condition, and per-
haps one day, when I was richer, get
them restored.
When they were tired of scolding and
beating they had gone down stairs /;
then, after waiting patiently, I watched
my opportunity and stole down. They
had not thought it worth while to re-
move the fragments, which lay there in
heap-the curved handle, leering face,
the spout, the lid. I gathered them up
tenderly, and as I did SO, saw that
small piece of paper folded up, was ly-
ing, as it were, partially trust into the
spout L took it up with the pieces, on
the ground that it was relic of his that
ought to be preserved, and reverently
brought the whole mass away to my
room.
1t seemed hopeless. I tried myself
to put the pieces together in many diff
ferent ways, but it was not to be done
save by q miracle miracle, however,
which sklllful hands accomplished later.
In sort of despair [ laid it aside and
then carelessly opened the paper.
1t was signed with his name, which
was sufficient to give it an interest for
AAC' anu y Gu bI11S only HaOcm0 1G61 more
accurately the cruel loss of the piece
of earthenware, which felt that moth
ing could ever restore to us.
1t was a long time indeed before I
set myself seriously to the task of MAX
ing out what was written on the slip of
paper.
It began "Codici1 to my will" and
stated that it revoked the bequest of a
particular date, and left his personal
property and effects, including the
china, which was to be sold off, to his
two children.
This did not quite understand at the
time, nor did / see the full force or
meaning of it. But seizing favorable
opportunity got out of the house, and
hurried to friendly Mr.. Baker-of
| course, bald and benevo1ent-to show
1t. He started as he read.
This makes a most important diff
ference, he said; ''you must leave it
with me and Twill call up in the morn
| ing"
Everything, as it proved, was ours
The cruel pair got nothing, save the
small sum that had been settled on
her at the time of her marriage.
The collection brought a vast SUM,
much more indeed than any one had an
ticipated. And the teapot, as have
already said, repaired with the most
exquisite art, now reposes in place of
honor.-CGsseIps Magazine.
/