St. Landry democrat., 1888-06-23
GENESIS OF A GEM.
How photographed Treasures
Are Manufactured to Order.


book lay among lot of others on a
booksellers counter in New York
shop, much haunted by bibliomaniacs
It was an old book, not particularly
rare, and not in particularly good con-
,dition. No one but professional
book hunter would have looked thrice
sat it; still. it belonged among that class
of works dear to the hearts of the col
lecting cranks, because they can be
filled up with gallant cuts, and given
a 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, "a 'Pucelle!' Where
did this come from, Joseph?''
II gave that drunken newspaper
man quarter for il" replied his
clerk. He wanted to get his breakfast,
and had forgotten his p2cket-book."
'.He hadn't forgotten to bring his
book, though, " remarked the booksel-
Ter, grinning. Queer memories some
people have, eh, Joseph
Joseph assented, and his employer,
after 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
sda--, and was alone in his shop, when
an old man entered. He was evidently
o gentleman, and was also very decrepit
and very shabby, and he carried little
portfolio under his lean and thread
bare arm. In hesitating and diffident
voice that was full of shame at having
to deal with sord d subject, and full
of anxiety as well, he said:
s.I have some prints I would like to
sell. sir.
'.Not buying prints just now." said
the bookseller without looking up. but
nevertheless getting a comprehensive
view of his visitor from under his stink
ing eyelids. Don't you want to buy
somep"
The old man sighed so dolefully that
amy one but dealer in rare books
might have experienced a touch of
compassion for HIM.
..Alas!'' he said, 'sthe time is past for
me to buy"
The bookseller slapped his account
book shut and began to scribble out a
check for himself, for he had Del
monico dinner ON hand with 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
YEARLY, looking atnothing 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.
ssNot 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 it toward its owner, with
an injured air.
"Ihey are very rare, said the old
man. eand in good condition. thought
] might, perhaps, get little money en-
them.
..How muchr' demanded the book
seller, fiercely, it being his habit al
ways to bully seller and to placate a
buyer. "A fortune, ] suppose.
.t0h, 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 deprecatory
motion with his hands.
In my case" he said. with a certain
dignity, Il hoped to get little money
that need for these prints, which cost
me great DEAL
.Tut, tut!" interrupted the book
seller. slow much? Give it a fig
ure.''
.sTen dollarsp" said the old man. in
4uiring.y.
The bookseller laughed.