Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-06-22
GENESIS OF A GEM.
How photographed Ire asures
Are Manufactured to Order.

Ono day, some twelve months ago, n
book lay among lot of others on n
book sellers counter in New York
shop, much haunted by bibliomaniacs,
1t was an old book, not particularly
rare, and not in particularly good con-
dition. No one but n professional
book hunter would have looked thrice
Mt it; still, it belonged among that class
of works dear to tho hearts of tho col
lecting cranks, because they can be
filled up with gallant cuts, and given
n general air of wickedness under the
excuse of photography. The book
seller, coming in, found it where it
had been carelessly thrown,
"Ah!' he said, ~ Pucellol Where
did this come ffom, JosephP"
81 gave that drunken newspaper
man quarter for it," replied his
clerk. He wanted TO get his breakfast,
and had forgotten his pockct-book.
''Ho hadn't forgotten to bring his
book, though" /" remarked the booksel-
Ter, grinning. Queer memories some
people have, eh, JosephP"
Joseph assented, and his employer,
nftor reproving him for not having got
the book for dime, took it away with
him.
A few evenings later the bookseller
was making up his accounts for the
day, and was alone in his shop, when
an old man entered. He was evidently
n gentleman, and was also very decrepit
and very shabby, and he carried a little
portfolio under his lean and thread
bare arm. In n hesitating and diilident
voice that was full of shame at having
to deal with sord.d subject. and full
of anxiety as well, he said:
al have some prints L would like to
sell, sir"
Not buying prints just now," said
the bookseller without looking up. but
nevertheless getting comprehensive
view of his visitor from under his stink
ing cyelids. Don't you want to buy
somep"
Tho old man sighed so dolefully that
my one but q dealer in rare books
might have experienced touch of
compassion for HIM.
"Alasl'' he said, "the time is past for
me to buy"
Tho bookseller slapped his account
book shut and began to scribble out n
check for himself, for he had Del
monico dinner on hand with n possible
customer from Chicago, who WAS buy
ing library, as he might have bought
carpets, by measure. The old man
still fingered, standing helplessly and
wearily, looking at nothing with feeble
eyes, in which hope and ambition alike
were dead.
you might look at them, sir, " he at
last began, appealingly.
mo use," replied the bookseller.
'.Not the least use in the world"
Nevertheless. he did approach his
visitor, and jerking the carefully tied
ribbons of the portfolio apart he tum-
bled over its contents once. His eyes
flashed, but he flung the portfolio shut,
and pushed 1t toward its owner. with
an injured air.
"They arc very rare" said the old
iHHii, HHu III Roou cohuihoi' 4 puo"Bht
j might. perhaps, got little money on
them"
How muchp" demanded the book
seller. fercely, it being his habit al
ways to bully a seller and to placate n
buyer. "a fortune, suppose"
"Oh, no. sir, not quite that"
Then you're very different from the
rest of the world. They seem to think
any trash they may have is worth its
weight in diamonds" "
The old man made n deprccatory
motion with his hands.
'In my case" he said, with certain
dignity, 81 hoped to get n little money
that need for these prints, which cost
me great deal"
Tut. tut!" interrupted the book
seller. "How muchP Give it fig
ure."
"Tcn dollarsp" said the old man. in
quiring'y
The bookseller laughed.
"Why not n hundredp' he replied.
] might give dollar or two for them,
if you really need the money. But
don't want them, anyhow"
The old man passed a shaking hand
over his eyes, and asked, in trembling
voice:
mo more than that, sirP"
Not cent replied the bookseller
commencing TO turn out the lights.
Ills visitor took up the portfolio and
laid il down again. He shook as will
the palsy. The bookseller noted him
out of the corner OF his eye. and jingled
some silver in his pocket.
well" said the old man, 81 mus
have some money. and"
The bookseller tossed the portfolio
contemporary TO corner of the coun
ter, and handed him two silyerdollars
They jingled in the tremulous old hanc
like castanets as the visitor went out
with bent head, like one who had don'
dishonorable thing
The door had scarcely closed behinC
him, when the bookseller pounced OF
tho portfolio like tiger on its prey
"Egadw he cried. ''what luck! !
'Pucclle' for quarter. and the plate
20 illustrate II tor-5-~"