The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-25
A f1OO MISSIONER.
Queer story of American Picture
Bayer in London.

A picture-dealer in London told me a
story which illustrated the ignorance OF
rich man In art matters. The story
was told me as showing that English.
men could be quite g. cute as Ameri-
cans when they set their minds to It |
use it to illustrate another point. The
| firm received a Meissonier from Paris,
and 1t was to be put on exhibition next
day. 1t was framed and set up on an
easel in the shop and the price of it vas
to be f1.500. Through some error on
the part of the clerk tag marked fI00
was put ON the Meissonier, while the
f1.500 tag went on another picture
Before the mistake was discovered and
corrected an American bought the pict-
ure and had it sent to his rooms at one
OF the big hotels When the head of
the firm found that his Meissonier was
gone, and gone for f100. he nearly
raised the roof He gave the clerk who
had made the mistake of the tags and
the clerk who had sold the picture to
| understand that if the picture was not
back by the next day he would expect
their sureties to make up the deficiency
The young men were appalled,. One
thousand four hundred pounds divided
by two is still in excess of what the
average young man gets per annum in
London art store. After abusing each
other roundly for a while they began to
notice that this did not bring back the
picture. The clerk who put on the
wrong tag finally hit on a plan.
The clerk dressed up in his holiday
suit and called on the American.
= n,-<S1 z< Ell
he said, land | was told You had bought
a Meissonier. Would you mind nv
looking at it?'
Not at all, :" replied the buyer. and
he invited the alleged critic to his
rooms.
Got that for 9100 he said, waving
his hand towards the picture.
The critic said nothing. but cynical
smile stole over his face.
whats the matter? Don't you be-
lieve paid the f100?"
20. | believe you paid the f100"
''Well. don't YOU think it's worth the
money!"
If it's a Meissonier-yes.
''IfP Why the names on the corner"
Yes, it usually is
But bought it from Frames & Co.
Aren't they good firm?"
20. yes. If You have certificate
from Frames & Co, signed by the firm,
that it is genuine Meissonier then you
have great bargain. Still Meissoniers
are not selling in London This season
for f1OO."
Il haven't any certificate.
"Ahr'
Don't YOU believe it's MeissonierP
II you think it isn't. why. hang it. say
So"
''Now, / won't say whether that is a
Meissonier or not, but will tell what
would do if | were you / would take
that picture back to Frames & Co. /
would find the person who sold it to me.
and would quietly believe it
is customary TO give certificate, signed
by the firm-signed by the firm. mind
that it is what it is claimed to be- If
the young man doesn't remember you
the chances are that he will admit such
to be the custom. Then produce your
picture and say that you would be op-
Hged to have that certified a Meis-
sonier. Don't be put of BY his word
that it is SO and so, or by any bluff
about the standing of the house, its
reputation, and all that. Insist on the
document. If he refuses demand your
f100. and if he refuses that threaten
suit, and imagine you will get your
money!
That's business. said the American.
"Come with me, will you?'
Now" said the critic, when they
were in the hanson, Il don't care 10
appear in this matter. Frames is a
good fellow personally. and always
claims that it is his rascally clerks that
make these little mistakes. I'll stay
in the hanson while you 60 inside
When Dives. with the picture under
his arm, came in and recognized and
was recognized by the clerk who sold if
to him, the latter became pale with ex-
element, and almost tainted with the
fear that he would not act his part as
well as the other fellow had evidently
acted his.
Il see you know me- cried the pur-
chaser, "and probably you know why
I've come back
Haven't the slightest idea. pom my
soul haven't" said the clerk. with his
teeth chattering.
20, yes, You have. | can see you
have. Now placing the picture on
the easel with the wrapping removed
and shaking his finger at it. '.you said
that was Meissonier. All right. |
want written certificate to that effect. "
Il beg pardon, but it isn't usual to
give that.
81 happen to know that it is. >
''Only in exceptional cases, sir"
well, this is an exceptional case"
VERY sorry. sir, but we can't do it in
this instance
.'Well, sir, I'll tell you what you can
do, sir-what you must do. sir. You
give me back my f10o, and be darned
quick about it, do you hear?n
When the American came back to
the hanson he said:
''See that showing the crisp bank
notes. Il got back my f1OO."
Thank God" said the critic devout-
", and doubtless the American wonders
to this day why a stranger took such in
tense interest in keeping him from be-
ing cheated. - Yours Trulg," in De-
troit Free Press