Smyrna times., 1875-02-03

cGnL lnCerVal, Cne TWO women were gOlng dDOuC
with avarlclouS eyes, counting up the treasures.
This time there was no one to interfere with
"Dimbley man, and the eminent firm had
pronounced that the whole, when submitted to
competition at their wellknOwn mart, would
bring vast sum. BY the will of the deceased
collector, made shortly after his second mar
rlage, the whole Of his property was to go to
her, and small pittance was kept for us-that
Is, for me aud for nay sister, who was at cheap
boarding school.
A great fuss began to be made about the
CrinkIetOn Collection, and it was discovered
that another portion was at some museum in
the country, where it had been exhibited, and
which was quite as valuable as that in our
house. The whole, it was expected, would
bring ten or twelve thousand pounds. They
were glOating over their prospect. We-that
is my sister and would be beggars, but that
they did not think about
by and by the inventory was taken the cata-
lOgue made out and the prospect discovered to
be even more inviting. 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 relic kept ( so
| was todd to remind US Of the dear old col
lectOr who had brought them together. Very
tlmOrOusly | begged that they would let me
choose something which | might keep as
souvenir, but an excuse was mads that list
had been taken, and that it would be impossi
bic to make any alteration now.
Utterly shocked, and almost desperate with
rage at such heartesSneSs, | came to the reSO-
luton that | would have what | 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 mHe and should not be subjected to
the prOianatlOn of sale. | did not care for
the penalties, which knew would be awful
they Nigh; put me to the torture, they should
never know where had concealed this relic.
My plans were laid chose moment when
they had gone out, and taking no one into IHy
confidence, prepared to execute the daring
scheme. 1t was nervous task. The teapot
was placed, with few other articles not yet
removed, on high bracket of antique pattern
over the chimney piece. Even standing in a
chair | could not reach it; still | was not to be
dauntsd. l constructed a sert OF ladder formed
OF chairs, which, with much trepidation,
ascended. | secured the grOteSque teapot, but
without ever having heard the Latin quotation,
! FdctliS deSceaSuS | found myself cordially in
dOrsing its truth, and stood there on u preca-
rious balance. carefully holdiag the treasure,
and not knowing what to do next. TO get
down and leave the teapot, it ght be thought,
would be the simplest course; but with my
| nervousness, and its own insecurity, the struc
]
| heard her on the stairs.
| How it OeGurad know now not, but there
| followed a crash, being left standing upon
the insecure structure, whilst the old cherished
teapot had slipped from my fingers and was
| dashed into hundred fragments on the hearth
stone They rushed in-I was dragged down,
and in st0rB Of scudngs was hurried off for
punishment, 1t WAS Inflicted with terrible
severity, and bore it without hlnching. One
| th ht ,inI ho
shattered fragments, keep them in that con
dition, and perhaps one day when was richer
! get them restored. .--.
When they were tired Of seolling end beating
they had gone down stairs then, after wait
ing tlently, watched my opportunity and
stole down. they had not thought it worth
while to remove tho fragments, which lay there
in a heap-the curved handle, the leering face,
the spout, the lid. | gathered them up ten
Of paper folded up was lying, as 1t were,
partially thrust into the spout. | took it up
with the pieces, on the ground that 1t was a
relic of his that ought to be preserved, and
reverently brought the whole mass away to my
own room.
1t seemed hopeless l tried myself to put the
pieces together in many different ways, but il
was not to be done save by miracle--a miracle
however, which skiful hands accomplished
! IlCer. IN sort Oh despair ldlu IL asIuei AM
then careessly opened the paper.
1t was signed with his name, which was suffi
, cient to give it an interest for me- And ye
4 this only made me feel more acutey the crue
, loss OF the piece of earthenware, which fel
that nothing could ever restore to US. 1t was
' long time indeed before | set myself seriOusl
to the task Of making out what was written o.
the slip Of paper.
= - 1t began "Codieil to my will" and state
: that it revoked the bequest of particular date
: and left all his personal property and effects
!, including the china, which was to be sold of
= to his two children.
= This did not quite understand at the time
= !, nor did see the full force and meaning of i
!. = But seizing favorable opportunity got ava
out of the house, and hurried to friendly NJ
Baker-of course bald and benevolent-to sho
!. it, He started as he read.
q 'FThis makes most important difference,
; he said 'you must leave it with me, and
= will call up in the morning"
: Everything, as it proved, was ours. TT
> cruel pair got nothing. save the small sum th
had been settled on her at the time of b
= marriage.
y The collection brought vast sum, niue
i. more indeed than any one had ever anticipate
n And the teapot, as | have already sal
rspairad with the most exquisite art, no
Is rspOses in a place of honor.