Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-11
Written for TIE EVENING srAl
THE BLUE SATIN DOLL,
BY JULIAN MAGNUa
Copyright, 1851


which should not on the morrow. have dared u
face my numerous family. The inventive power
OF tOy-makerS seem 10 grow greater each year
and the almost endless array made choice EN-
barrassing Before me ON the showcase moved
with much whirring and clicking procession o.
mechanical figures sc: in motion by an tndefati
gable but evidently .very tired salesman, who's
face seemed to express wish that his machinery
could be allowed TO run down for the night
While was debating between the merits OF 6
black bear that snapped and snarled and clawed
at the ihOffendtng air in way calculated to de
light any boy and frightcn any girl OF tender
years, and those OF miniature Jumbo" whose
slow movements were a ludicrOuS reproduction OF
those OF the deeply-Iamented original my atten-
tenton was diverted by voice, at the doll-depart-
ment, asking:
''What Is the price of the large doll In blue
satin:~
i had glanced with rather longing eyes at that
dol as had passed IL a few moments before; but
feeling sure that the possession OF her faxen lady
ship would he a too costly luxury / had not In
quired the figure at which she was held. / had,
however, some curiosity 10 know it, and listened
for the reply.
''rhirty dollars, But / can show you dressed
dolls. all the way from ten dollars"
Something in the unusually abrupt almost con-
tefnptuOuS tone OF the saleSwOman caused me 10
turn anu look TO whom she was speaking. The
figure OF a man. twisted and distorted in the most
terrible manner by some accident or illness, stood
or rather was propped up against the counter.
Clutches helped 10 hold him. but even so support
ed. his head and neck could only have been visible
70 The saleswOman. His clothes were shiny and
almost threadbare, and were evidently rapidly
reaching the stage where genteel poverty loses
itself In rags. His face was turned from me- but /
recognized the man as one who had frequently
come into my Office selling pens and pencils
had from time 10 time made small purchases OF
him. and had been impressed with the fact that he
always refused any offers OF charity, though wei
coming eagerly the chance TO dispose OF his small
wares. The extreme incongruity between his APP
parent position and the blue satin doll was as
striking nie as it had evidently been TO the girl
behind the counter, and waited with some anX-
iety 20 see what, II anything, he would buy.
Al do nC< want q cheap doll he said, without a
trace OF reseatnen.. .but $50 Is more than 1 can
pay Can you not make some reduction?'
II viii ask the manager, answered the girl,
and Sha passed across the store In search of him.
b this time had become so much interested
that hastily decided between the bear and the
elephant, and stirling feeling OF del1cacy WHICH
for mOraens or two made HE hesitate L walked
10 the d0lcounter, OStensibly TO look at its con-
tents, but really 10 see the end OF this strange
negotiation The man, somewhat TO my surprise
and chagrin recognized me. as he moved with Diff
nculty little to one side TO give me more room.
'tiOod evening, Mr.. Roberts," he said, ''you are
buying Christmas presents, see"
ayes. have several little claimants who will
not be ignored. And you. are You buying doll?''
IIelt that / was unwarrnntably seeking To in
trude myself into his affairs, but could not resist
the temptation.
~ am trying to, sir. This one; but they ask
more money than I've got"
Twas about TO make some remark, which 1
hoped would draw something more from him,
when the sales-wOman returned.
"Our manager says that as il Is getting so late
he viii make the price S:25 That l. very cheap.
1t is the handsOmest doll In the store"
81 know 1t is observed my singular acqua1n-
lance, THAT IS why wanted it. will take it at
mark or name or fhe receiver must have no
means OF tracing where 1t came from"
Here was more mystery to pique my curiosity
The now obsequious attendant remarked that
she would attend 10 the packing herself. While
IN
dmculty disinterred from well concealed pocket
a small bag.
said TO me- with a smile In which sweetness and
sadness were quantity mixed. .'JuSt $s6.75. So
the quickest way for me is TO take out 81. 10"
He craned up till he managed 10 empty his little
bag on the glass-tOpped case. The assortment OF
money that fell out was very varied There were
boWe neatly folded bills, few silver dollars, some
smaller silver several nve-cent nickels and even
a rev cOppers. He counted out S1.70 from the
smaller denominations, and then put one dollar
back In his bag and the Seventy-ive cents In his
WatSt-cOat pocket.
81 shall need some of that" be said, "for mes
Sesnger boy" Then, looking up at me and noting
the look OF amazement that know pervaded my
1ace, though stroye 10 repreSS 1t, he added 'yOu
are surprised to see such man as buy dOll?"
at an"
az would ike to tell you, Mr.. Roberts, because
you have often bought OF me when didn't know
(which way TO turn for something to eat, and
wouldn't Like you 70 think me an impostor."
"Iou shall tell me-" answered, IF you viii;
box 1t IS cold night; glass Of something
warm viii do you good We viii go and get one
Then you can SIT down and tell me what you
81 do NOT drink anything, sir, except very occa-
,femally, when my pains get too great Tor me TO
cup Of edss To-nsht you Of s ali nights san
tmast not drink, for am 70 see her Tomorrow"
.ecstacy fllumined his worn features
"Here IL your parcel, sir"
sAnd there. I think, you Will find the right
took the girl few seconds to count the
money.
rss s s.. s sSsS a, 81 much obliged" she said
tne s5ore togsehsz, svidsnSiy 70 the assonishment
no; thank you ztr can manage 1t very well,
and it's pleasure 70 me TO feel it"
"Very well Where shall we go?"
II know moe, quiet little place. 1t isn't where
You would 30 by yourself STR but It'll be better for
you 20 go there than to draw notice by taking such
,ask you 70 pus An address on this / can't write
rery easily now, and, besides bad as my writing
Anew minutes Later we were seated in a restau-
iTanS, the existence Of which had been previously
unknown 70 me. I found, however, that it de-
served the Character that had been given it, while
the scale OF prices was marvelousIy Peasonable
NOW, NJ Roberts. he began when he had fin
the nsn. neal that was all could persuade
Nun 10 take, lu tell you my story, and I'll make
y as short as can, for, as you may imagine, it is
not pleasant one"
AiCOCA'C0 al eQCcaClOn. and when
was ABOUT 10, nv uncle, who was the only neal
living relative had, got me into large dr. goods
house Ny name IS John Crane but / was there
HlWays called Jack, and later on when became
drummer for the house, Jack Crane got 10 be
pfetty WeN-known In nearly every important city
lOuL mouse Is good one having exclusive con-
Sr0i OF certain Zines and was lucky enough 10 de-
've1Op INTO nrst-clasS salesman. / made plenty
81 money Tor myself and, OF course a great dea
E$nore for the house In those days was a pretty
t1ooolooklng fellow, though you wouldn't be likely
SO link IL Wnen you look AT as / am now
SW4e little ABOVE the average height, and my face
i<1An no preWarnlngs OF the lines and seams anG
wrinkles that disfgure IL Tonight. Probably YOU
not Jet "a
\ Their were four partners in our house anc
twneh began 10 prove myself very valuable they
took me up socially and often asked me 10 theil
houses The second partner-I won't mention hi:
pane, though II you want 10 you can find out from
The address which Will by-and-hy ask YOU TO pu
On that box-had very beautiful daughter ii
was somewhat presumptuOus In he 10 think d
mazIS her my wife, but had formed that hops
from almost the FIRST time saw her / Will pas:
over all the details OF my love making-I suppOss
when one can become philOsophic enough TO lool
Oeck al those things calmly, they are all pretty
much alike, but while they are in the course O
being enacted, they assuredly don't seem to lacl
variety or originality. Well, at last the glad da,
came when drew from Frances an acknowledg
ment that my affection was returned. Her peOpI,
TOOK the announcement roughly. They had haC
higher views for their daughter, though the father
himself was salesman for many years. We wer,
nrm, and In the end We conquered. i don't think
there was happier man living than was the DAY
was married, and when daughter came TO glad
hon