Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-16
GaIes ano Sktttbts.
CABINET SECRET.
A STORY.

made Robert Headleys acquaintance
in the auction room. I am an Idle man.
and having plenty Of time, and occasion
ally few pounds to spare, have gradually
contracted love for bric-a-brac, the pur-
suit Of which enables me to kill a good
many weary hours and to hoard up, 10 the
shape of old china, money which other
wise would be irittered away on eqauHy
useless but less valuable objects.
Headley and were among the most
regular attendants at Christie's. Sotheby's
and other auction-rooms, and, as during
the season Of the sales We met somewhere
almost daily. our mutual taste soon led to
an acquaintance.
Headley was tall. genrlemanly man
OF about thirty-eight, and evidently had
studied the ceramic art deeply. He put
me right on severa, little matters. and
once or twice saved me from buying spu-
rious productions. As the true collector
loves nothing better than to show his pet
objects to another who understands and
appreciates their beauties, it was not long
before Headley asked me TO pay him a
visit for that purpose.
Come early he said '.then we shall
have time to go through the cabinets by
daylight Aiterward will give you some
dinner
Headley's house was in a quiet square
in a good, il not the most fashionable,
part Of London. ! found my host delight
ed to see me. and painting TO show his
treasures. lie was a genuine member OF
that species known as 1.-THE enthusiastic
collector whose passion for accumulat-
ing rarities amounts almost to mania /;
and am bound To say that his collection
was one to be proud of. | should tire the
reader, ignorant of those delicate distinc-
tive subtleties dear to collectors heart,
were to expatiate upon the beauties OF
his old Dresden, Sevres. Wedgwood and
Bentley, rose-backed Nankin, blue-and-
white haw horn pattern. &c ! admired
mired greatly, and envied more.
The collections were arranged with
great taste in suitable cabinets, and among
the many choice specimens think the
one that struck me most was a mdgDifi-
cent old Chelsea tea-set. Ii occupied the
centre of one of the cabinets. with articles
of lesser value ranged around it. as though
paving homage 10 its superior worth.
Leaving cut of the question the beautiful
blue and white decoration, the reiiculafed
gliding and the artistic painting, the set
was very valuable from the fact that it
was perfect.
Headley seemed pleased at the admira-
ton expressed. and said. with a smile
lyon, II collector, may not be sur
prised at hearing that | nearly bartered
my happiness to make that set perfect y
l laughed, thinking that he was joking.
and replied:
II don't think | would go quite As far
as that but I am sure my happiness would
be greater if owned it
$50 would any mans be. Look at the
painting. the gliding, the shape, the color.
Feel the texture of it," he added, taking
the teapot from its velvet-lined nest and
fondly caressing il with his long white
fingers; "you or could tell in the dark
it was Chelsea by the softness of the
paste"
Where did you get it from p
IL had teapot, sugar basin. two
cups and two sancers first. They be-
longed to my mother. and. as told you,
was nearly paying too dearly for the
rest of it. But | will tell you all abont it
after dinner if you would care to hear the
story"
The summer afternoon passed very
pleasantly among the old china, and at
seven O'Clock we were summoned to the
dinner-table.
| was presented to Mrs. Headley. n
charming young woman of about %. She
gave me cordial welcome, and the little
dinner went merrilv enough. We were
served on old oriental plates; the spoons
and salt sellars were of the coveted Queen
Anne period, and the glass was rare old
Venetian. Headlev certainly had refined
and expensive tastes. and. it seemed.
plenty of means wherewith TO CRAFTY
them.
When Mrs. Headley rose she begged
us. pleasantly not to linger too long over
the wine rs she was all alone.
Your husband has promised me the
history of the Chelsea SET said; but
under the circumstances shall ask him to
be rs briet as possible"
"If he does tell you. Mr.. Burke" she
said. laughing. Il shall never. never for
give him. and il would be impossible for
me to look you in the face again"
MY dear" said IIeadley. "our friend
Burke is a collector himself and can sym
pathize with my weakness. should never
think of relating it. unless it were to
kindred spirit who will enter into my
feelings"
After closing the door upon my fair
hostess, reflled my beautifully tinted
glass with Lafitte. and waited with some
curiosity for the promised recital.
Headley commenced:
"Of course it is all joke now, and
can well afford to laugh at it, but when
the affair am going to tell You of hap
pened it was serious enough. The portion
of the Chelsea set owned at first belonged
to my mother; she inherited it from her
father. and there its history is lost. When
was first seized with the passion for col
lecting. II naturally formed the nucleus
OF my cabinet. Every one admired it.
and envied me the possession of 1t. One
day--it was after l had formed a decent
collection and was getting well known as
a Disqualification. the dealer, called upon
me to show me a few things he had picked
up in the country. | drew his attention
to nv Chelsea: he examined it closely.
and said; Very strange; saw the rest
of that service few DAYS ago | asked
him where, and he told me 1t belonged to
a lady living at Shepherds Bush. Was it
for sale? Certainly not. or he would not
have told me about it until he had secured
it. He had offered to give her large
sum for ii. but nothing would induce her
to part with it. II was. like mine. family
relic, and as the owner was in no want OF