Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-11-28
Mr.. Bob. Ingersoll.
His Corner in Code " hat h~ IL l.otng
to Do with Them.

For more than week past the proprie-
tors OF the Old Curiosity Shop in Broad
way. near Dleecker street, have been sell
Ing out BY auction their heterogeneous STOCK
OF rubbish and rarities from all parts of
the globe.
One of the most constant attendants at
the sale Is portly, well-favored old gentle
men. dressed In black, who comes early,
chooses a seat near the auctioneer. and re-
mains 10 The end OF the days proceedings
watching everything with nervous and
slightly quiZZical interest.
This old gentleman IS evidently not
habitual frequenter OF auction rooms. For
the first two or three DAYS his manners,
though hearty. were a little shy and self
conscious, and he shrank from the general
attention which he drew upon himself by
the 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 one or
two occasions even ventured 10 handy
jokes with the nimble-tongued auctioner.
The gentleman in black is Mr.. Robert e.
lngersoll OF Peoria. III. His presence Ia
this city is due to lecture engagements 10
the neighborhood, and has 40 connection
with the sessions OF the Milleuial Confer
eDce.
hl. IuetI -piI dlttDus Tue auction nj iHt
Old Curiosity shop with well-dehned pur-
pose. He is not engaged in stocking 4
private museum, nor il he particularly in
terested in brio a-brac or pottery. SO long
as the auctioneer vends Nankeen china or
Aztec jugs or Tunisan tobacco pipes or
alleged Satsuma ware. Mr.. Ingersoil settles
back In his seat with an air of Indifference
or impatiently scans his catalogue. But As
soon as god Is put up to be bid for, hi,
whole manner changes. He Is alert and
eager. He leans forward la his chair, his
face slightly flushed with excitement and
caps bid with bid in rapid succession.
Everything in the shape of god that is
offered for sale Bob Ingersoll bids for
without regard to cost.
As there are several other regular at
tendants with a taste for deities, Mr.. In
gersoll's reckless bidding sometimes meets
with lively competition. Napoleon Sar-
oney, the photographer. is also buying
gods but he selects them on aesthetic prin-
ciples and for artistic purposes. He bids
for only symmetrical gods. Mr.. Ingersoll's s
appetite on the other hand is omniverous.
The modest Hindoo idol of baked red clay
and the most handsomely carved Japan
ese deity, splendid in paint and gold leaf,
seem 10 have equal value in his eyes. His
theology is Democratic, comprehensive
and impartial. "A god'sa god for a that, ~
he whispered, as dingy. stupid-faced aud
thoroughly disreputible Hottentot idol was
knocked down to him for 81 l2 cents.
Under the stimulus Of MIR. Ingersoll's
| wholesale purchase, Sarony's competition,
and the eayerness of an occasional Wall
street man who drops in on his way up
town to buy god for the adjournment OF
his mantel-piece, the market price OF d.
yfpiti.s has aphapn.A since
the beginning Of the sale. Styles that
brought only seven shillings or 81 on the
first day, now easily run up to 81 so TO
$2.75 at five.cent jumps. The shrewd auc-
tioner takes advantage Of this unexpected
vogue and dwells cloquently upon the
good points of the gods he offers. while
Mr.. IngersOll mods acquiescence to all that
is said in their praise, and never relin-
| quishes the battle until the prize is his.
Here. nOw," said the auctioneer on
Thursday afternoon, as his assistant he'd
up TO the light hideous. chocoiate-col-
ored Buddah from Thibet. about two feet
high and apparently 200 years old-"how,
here's something worth having. How
much an offered for the gOd?''
Forty cents, ventured bashful gentle
man in the rear of the room.
Forty cents!' repeated the auctioneer,
with withering scorn. Forty cents for II
| fine Oriental deity like that! That god
has been worshipped by hundreds OF thou
! sands OF ingenious and devout heather.
/ Forty cents. Why. he's worth more than
that 10 put in your hallway to trighten of
| burglars"
''Forty-five." said the abashed gentle-
man, bidding against himself.
well. I'll take it for a starter" said the
auctioneer. Though it's a shame to men,
| ton 45 cents in connection with such a
god. See how be blushes himself! Forty
! five. tee-fve, tee-tive. seven half, sev-naf,
| sev-nat-"
Fifty cents" said the original bidder
The auctioneer's face wore an Injured
] and almost disyusted look. ''It's very
! plain" said he in q confidential but per
fecti, audible way aside to MIR. Ingersoll
.'that these gentlemen don't understand
the value of really authentic god"
"I'll give 70 cents for the gOd," said Mr.
Ingersoll firmly.