New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-01-21

and six, he shrieked out: Ten and six!
they're not worth q farthing! Now
this and he held up horrid little
black bottle with q handle-'look at
this. It is three hundred years old,
and one of the rarest shapes known.
There's one like it in the British Muse
um, and one at Naples, so far as can
make out, but don't know of another
in the world; and what do you think
it cost? Three shillings-absolutely,
only three shillings. The greatest find
have had for months. Ten and six.
pence, indeed! Pray carry that trum-
perry off at once.'"
Eyes, that's just like pa" observed
Maud. ''He showed me the bottle,
too-hideous little thing! 1 only wish
had the three shillings it cost, for l
need q pair of new gloves badly
enough"
81 wish had it, put in Ralph, the
youngest boy. II haven't had half
crown to my name this six weeks
"That's because you spend your
money in sweet stuff as fast as you get
it," retorted Maud.
swell. that's better than spending
it all in ribbons and fclderols, as you
do, Miss Prink."
"Children, hush!'' cried Mrs. Bevel.
''lt's pretty hard on US ALL" OBJ
served Bryan, the older son. 81 asked
the governor this morning if he
couldn't afford to give me run on the
Continent this vacation-jast a short
one, you know, with q second-class
ticket; don't want to travel swell
and he said, in sort of distracted
way, as if it were of no consequence in
the world, mo, think not. There's
Slater's sale next month, and I've been
watching his Henri Deux these five
years. I shall want all my ready
money, my boy Henri Deux, indeed!
What's that? Some rubbishy old
plate, l suppose, which I should like
to smash
"And the worst ISL put in Mrs.
Bevel, "that these things your father
buys are like so much money thrown
into the sea. Nobody but he will ever
think of wanting them. There's no
sale for such old rubbish-none what
ever. It's just so much out of your
fortunes, my dears."
"Only papa enjoys them so MUCH"
ventured Rose, the youngest girl. Out
of the large family, she was the only
one who had the least sympathy with
her fathers pursuits. It was the SYM
pathy OF affection-unappreeiative, but
comforting.
"There's pa now," said Maud, as
the door clicked below.
Slowly Mr.. Bowel climbed the stairs,
like one who bears burden. A literal
burden it turned out to be; for pres
emily he entered, carrying in both arms
q huge grotesque wooden sign-board.
A flush of pleasure tinged his thin face.
"See, Mary" he exclaimed"
my dears-what windfall l have just
discovered. This is the identical sign
of La Belle Savage, which was one OF
the most famous coffee houses q CEN
tury or more ago. l dare say you'd
find mention of 1t in the Spectator if
you'll look, or the Rambler. See what
a quaint thing it is. The head was
black and red once, but it's faded
brown now. And do you notice this
little extinguisher belowp That was
for the link-boys to put out their
torches with. London was queer old
place in those days. l don't know
when I've been so pleased with any,
thing;' and he rubbed his hands.
| ''Good gracious - sighed Mrs.
Bowel; while Maud pertly asked:
"What on earth are you going to do
with it, pa?''
"Do with itP It's a curiosity, my
dear"
"Oh! And what did it cost, pap"
"That's the best part of it ALL" said
the happy collector, again rubbing his
hands: ~ got it for a song only two
pounds ~ffteen."
1.-Two pounds fifteen - screamed
Maud +,; moh - a' when we all need so
1.-TWO pounds flfteenr' chimed in
Matilda. almost crying; and those
lovely blue vases only ten and six; and
you wouldn't even look at them, pa"
"By George! it's quite too bad"
muttered Bryan. "My round ticket
would only have been six pounds;''
while Mrs. Bevel repeated, in a still
fainter tone, Good graciousr' as ii her
cup of woe were indeed full.
Detected and discounted, her hus-
band skunk away, his brief-lived glow
of satisfaction merged into sudden de-
preston and penitence. No one but
little Rose followed. She found him in
the farther drawing-roOm, propping
his purchase up on little Chippendale
card table, with all the light gone out
of his face. He did not seem to care
about the sign-board any longer.
cts very curious. thing. isn't it,
papar she said, slipping her hand into
his arm. IS never saw ANYTHING like
it before.'
"No, my dear, suppose not; and
you are not likely to see anything like
it again. Most of these old signs have
been destroyed; they are growing
scarcer every day." He began to tell
her the history of the old coffee-house,
and as he talked his cheerfulness grad
ually returned. Rose was often COM
fort to her father-the only one he had,
poor man, in the family. by whom his
ruling passion was held to be a nuts.
ance and wrong and daily disadvan.
tage.
Time went on. Old Mr.. Bevel's col,
lection became gradually celebrated
among the now rapidly increasing
army of bric-a-brac fanciers. Now and
again some stranger would call at the
house and ask leave to inspect this or
that curious object; but these visits re-
manned 9 perpetual puzzle to Mrs.
Bevel and her brood. What on earth
could any one find to rave about in
those old fhin0ap Too cnunlo%o111 os;do