The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-06-24
from tho Chicago Ledger.l
Marion DGlOlnG,,
--OR,--
THE WORTH OF WIT.
By J. W. WATSON,
author Of Hold Fast and Ketcham," Bank.
ers and Brokers'" Etc, Etc.
By j. W. WATSON,
CHAPTER VII.

sEPTIMUs BUYS A PICTURE
In an elegant studio in the neighborhood
of Union Square were three persons,
lady of about twenty, beautiful exceedingly,
young man of perhaps thirty, of COM
manding presence and pleasant speech, and
a portly man of about sixty, with a good
honest face, though showing the signs of
wealth, and of common origin. The elder
spoke first.
I've been waiting for you, Mr.. Stanley,
for over half an hour" looking at his
watch. 81 don't usually wait for any one,
hum! but this young lady was kind enough
to talk to me, and SO | passed the time very
pleasantly"
Thank you," responded Stanley, with
smile. This is Miss Marion Delorme,
Mr.. Smith.
Mr. Septimus Smith bowed awkwardly
and admiringly to Miss Delorme, who re-
turned it with gracious smile. Then
Septimus turned again to Stanley and said,
rather pompously:
SO you know my name, Mr.. Stanley?"
Yes, sir; have heard of you, and seen
you once
"Now, no doubt, as l have heard of you.
l am well known on Change, and in
business way. The heaviest in my way
the paint, oil, and putty line-in the
United States. Now, Mr.. Stanley, to
business. I don't know much about
pictures, but my wife thinks she does, and
SO she takes me to the Academy Exhibition
every year. Last year l saw there picture
of yours, called De Sorter Discoy erng the
Mississippi" Now, l tell you l didn't
know then who De Sorter was, and l don't
know much better now, though my wife
has read about it and posted me little,
and Miss Delorme and / have been talking
about him just now. Howsomedever, 1
took fancy to that picture, and I've
thought about it ever since, and my liking
that picture has made me of a mind to
have picture gallery, for though l don't
know anything about art, as they call it,
ha! ha! ha! do know what l like about
picture, and SO thought, Mr. Stanley, that
I'd like to have that De Sorter picture for
the first, If could get it, and that's the
way, Sir, came to hunt you up.
81 am very sorry, Mr.. Smith, to say
that l have already refused to sell that
| picture to several of my most eminent
| patrons. have been offered five thousand
dollars for it, Mr.. Smith.
$50 am told, said Septimus. brushing
back his hair andpuling at his left ear, q
habit he had when making bargain.
But preferred to keep it myself" said
Stanley, quietly!
$50 I'm told, ;" responded Septimus. "I'n
give six thousand, seven, eight, Mr.. STAN
ley."
Il have said to each one who wished to
purchase. Mr.. Smith, that, if 1 concluded
| at any time to sell it, l would not take
more than the original offer of five thous-
and. The picture is not really worth more
than that, and I would not like to impose
on the admiration of my patrons.
so I'm told, Mr.. Stanley. You're an
honest man, sir, and good painter, and as
you won't let me have the picture, I'll ask
favor Of you, which is TO let me see it
once in while. The fact is, Mt. Stanley,
I've set aside hundred thousand dollars
to spend in pictures, but if l can't get the
De Sorter, I'll give up the idea altogether. y
Now, Mr. Smith, you put the matter in
a light by which do not want to look at it..
I think it would be an unjustifiable act on
my part to deprive you of a cherished idea
and my brother artists of the results of
| your liberalty. Come in and look at my
ton and desire remain the same, you
shall have it at the price first named"
"Ill take it at your own price" said the
| uSHSh'Su oDpeiihuo1 "AeASue AoNAiAiSo o' ~
if you say So.
Stanley, with laugh, led the way to the
back room, where the DE Sorter" picture
was hung in an excellent light, making it
look far better than Smith had seen it be-
FORE
That's it! That's it," he said, enthusi-
astically I'D know it in q minute, Miss
Delorme. 1t would be an ornament to any
house. and yet you keep 1t hid here in a
back room. It's like man writing book
| entirely for his own reading Why, Id
hang it down in my shop and it would give
you more reputation than here. Does any
body ever come here to see it?"
"Oh yes, sir" said Stanley, laughing
Some Of the pleasantest moments of my
life are passed in showing it to those who
have heard of it and come to see it."
We'll, Mr.. Stanley" said Septimus, eag.
erly, is it mine or yours? Speak quick!'
Yours, Mr.. Smith" answered Stanley.
Willingly, Mr.. Stanley?' queried Smith,
more quietly.
Most willingly, Mr.. Smith"
Il take you to witness, Miss Delorme, v
said Septimus. drawing check book from
his pocket will you take the extra three
thousand 1 offered, Mr.. Sanley?"
No, sir!" said Stanley. emphatically, "as
you business men say, a bargain is bar
gain.
In few minutes the check was drawn
the receipt signed, and the picture passed
into the possession of the delighted Septi-
mus. He now had time to talk about
something else, and he gave Stanley and
Marion his ideas of a picture gallery.
Rude as they were, Stanley saw in few
minutes that the father of his Clarry had
innate points of refinement and cultivation
that, had they found chance of develop
nent in earlier days, might have come tc
something; but it was too late; they had
been absorbed in paints, oils, and putty,
and no analysis could separate them
Even though his point was achieved, Sep
timus seemed loath to go. He wandered
about, looked at the pictures, and gossiped
with Marion, told stories Of his early life
which he seemed rather proud to acknowl.
edge had originated in the very lowest
strata of society.
money really can't do much for man
Miss Delorme, unless he has it early il
life. All the dancing masters in the worlC
couldn't make me graceful now, or all tht
colleges teach me how to speak the English
language correctly, and yet do not near
to say that it would have been any better il
/ had possessed all these advantages. I've
got a son, now, who has had everything
lavished on him that money could buy, bu
to what use? He is dunderhead for all
Miss Delorme. No, no, / won't say that
for the fellow knows enough if he would
let what he knows have fair play; but
he has no ambition, or rather he has beer
brought up not TO use it. He has rich
father, and that covers the whole ground
even though 1t does him no practical good
now, for his rich father has determined
that the son shall not have the spending Of
the money now which he would not helr
to earn. and the origin Of which he de.
spises.n
To all this Marion agreed, but suggested
that perhaps a proper marriage might make
change. A good wife. if the young mar
was not past cure, might alter the whole
tone of his life, by removing him from the
influences that surround him.
fbara'c ha ba nou11 opl,