The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-02
NON 1NGERsoLL,s CORNER IN GODS.
whs. =. ne Going 20 DO with Them,

what is ne Going 20 DO with Tbemt
For more than a week past the proprietors
OF the Old Curiosity Shop in Broadway. near
Blocker street have been selling out by auction
their heterogeneous stock Of rubbish and rari-
ties from all parts of the globe.
One Of the most constant attendants nj tho sale
is a porty. well-favorcd old gentleman, dressed
in black. who comes early. chooses a seat near
the auctioneor. and remains to the end Of the
days proceedings, watching everything with a
nervous and slightly quzzical interest
This old gentleman is evidently not habitunl
frequonter Of auction rooms. For the first two
or three days his manners. though hearty, were
little shy and self-conscious. and he shrank
from tho general attention which he drew
upon himself by tho singularity OF his actions.
After he had become better acquainted with the
surroundings he gained courage. spoke up
louder when he made bid. and on ono or two
occasions even vontured to handy Jokes with
the nlmble-tongued auctioneer.
Tho gentleman in black Ia Col. Robert G.. In
gersoll OF PEORIA Ill. His presence in this city
II duo to lecture engagements in the neghbor-
hood, and has no connection with the sessions
OF the Mllennlal Conference.
Col Bob Ingcrsoll attends the auction at the Old
Curiosity shop with a well defined purpose He
is not engaged in stocking private museum.
nor is he particularly interested in bric-a-brac
or pottery. SO long rs tho auctioneer vends
Nankeen china. or Aztec jugs. or Tunisian to-
bacco pipes. or alleged Satsuma ware Col In
gersoil either settles back in his seat with an air
Of Indifference or impatiently scans his cata-
logue. But as soon rs god Ia put UP to be bid
for. his whole manner changes. He is alert and
eager. He leans forward in his chair. his face
slightly flushed with excitement and caps bid
with bid in rapid succession. Everything in tho
shape Of god that is offered for sale Bob In
gersoll bids for. without regard to cost.
As there are several other regular attendants
with a taste for detios. Col. Ingersoll's reckless
bidding sometimes meets with lively
competition. Napoleon Sarony. the pho
tographer Is also buying gods. but
and for artistic purposes. He bids for only
symmetrical gods Col. Ingersolls appetite.
Hindoo idol OF baked red clay and the most
handsomely carved japanese deity. splendid in
paint and gold leaf. seem 70 have equal value in
ms Dyes. HIS theology is purely democratic,
comprehensive, and impartial gods god
for a that, he whispered. rs dingy. stupid
faced. and thoroughly disreputable IIottentot
idol was Knocked down to him for thirty-scven
and half cents.
Under the stimulus Of Col Ingersoll's whole
sale purchases. Sarony's competition. and the
eagcrness of m occasional Wall street man
who drops in on his way up town hoping to buy
piece, the market price Of divinities has been
greatly enhanced since the beginning of the
sale. styles that brought only seven shiings
or n dollar on tho first day now easily run up
TO $3.50 or s2.7j at ilvc-ccnt jumps. The shrewd
auctioncer tqkcs advantage Of this unexpected
vogue and dwels cloquently upon the good
points Of the gods he offers. while Col. lncer-
soil mods acquicscencc Ia all that is said in their
praise, and mover rJlinquishcs the battle until
the urizc is his.
" Here, now" said the autioneer on Thursday
afternoon rs his assistant held up 10 the light n
llluTflg. plNpOlafn- apIorpl IMlAhu
et about two feet hign and apparently 200 years
Ga. Now here's something worth having.
Forty cents" yentured bashful gentlemen
wtbernyg Ss Tn sFepSG lime sne qu T Gn with
tai deity like thatl That god has been wor-
shipped by hundrods q,thousands Of Ingenious
worth more than that TO put in your hallway to
,,, IF,orty.ilye." said the abashcd gentleman.
Won, IN take Il for a starter" said the auc-
tioneer. though it's shame TO mention forty
how he bushes hmscltl Forty-d .. tee-flye,
tee ~. seven half sey-naf. sev;paf1-"
The aucilonecr's face wore an injured and
almost disguised look. It's very plain" said
to Col. IngersOll. that these gentlemen don't
understand the value OF "a really authentic god -
-. ~ give Sevcniy-ilVe cents for the god ," said
Col. Ingersoll bids seyenty-nve." said the
auctioncer Now he knows what god IL
dozen gentlemen in the back Of tho room-toe-
eight tnc-eight, tce-eight-"
The chocolate-colorcd Buddha ran up to 81 SO.
Gomez said the auctioneer after brief
pause; gone 10 lngersoll for one thirty five 20
The next exciting episode was over n very
large Japanese idol NJ carved wood, In a sitting
posture, with hands raised In the attitude ~
b'neiiction. This deity wore a handsome rcd
cloak trimmed with gold. He was carefully
hoisied up into the glare Of the gaslight and
ancuuneer and audience gazed upon him IN
silcn admiration for fully minute.
Look at him well. ladies and gentlemen 4"
said ihe anctioneer, lowering his voice 20 the
tonr OF reverence; Observe all his points be-
lore YOU begin To bid. Now there's a rare trens-
ure for some household. There's a god that thu
meet tastidious purchaser neednt Doe ashamcd
ness II has never been my privilege 10 offer "A
inner article. what q ye say. gentlemen Speak
np llve , Who's going to secure the god1 How
After resoute and protrnctcd struggle be-
tween Col. lngersoll and the Captain OF the
Hudson River. steamboat Drew the Japan
Csc god in a red cloak trimmed with gold was
shocked down to lngersoll for ti.95.
rust w@n GSsr 'H9 IRON g oq ssfGn With
Ait"r examining II In every part with pleased
expression on his face. he wrapped il up care
III. It'll" copper god evidently WAS a bargain
Atrnckleware Chinese god u uncou,h shape
was sold 20 Col, lngersoll for az II WIS prob
any worm thrice that sum at private sale.
y gaudly drcarRtcd porcelain idol from XII
OTTO won't 70 Col. lngersoil nj 1913 He also 40
cured lot OF four smaller divinities of tho
same manufacture for SO.
Among his other purchases wcre n primitive
Mexican idol from lucatan, a huge wooden god
with SIN arms. from upper India. several rtIdely
carved d"iu9s from the 1larqucsas and Friendly
Islands. and variety Of African fctichcs.
During three days of the sale. Col. IngersOll
bought between forty and nfty gods The
smaller specimens he carried away from the
auction room in his pockets. leaving the bulky
ANA ilhwleldy divinities 10 be delivered 10y eN-
press.