The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-05-16

ioyment Mr.. Fitzroy received a notice
from Christie Il Manson that his vases
would be sold on a. certain day the fol
lowing week at the end of the sale of
Count Mirabeau's china. Count Mira
beau was name dear to connoisseurs,
and even celebrated outside the charmed
circle He was, in fact, hierophant Of
the china fetish.
81 should like to see this collection Of
Count Mirabeau's they talk so much
about in the papers" sid Mr.. James
Fitzroy. 81 think we will go to the
sale"
With this view, when the day arrived,
they went, prepared to swallow quietly
their own land the vases' comparative
insignifcance. On their arrival in King
street they found the rooms, of course,
crowded with gentlemen and dealers.
The time fixed for the sale had not yet
some
Making their way with difficulty
through the room, Mr.. and Mrs. Fitzroy
met an acquaintance from the Midland
shire in which they lived.
Halo, Fitzroy! what are you doing
herc2 / never knew you were a maniac.
What brings you to Christie's on a
china dayl"
81 don't 90 in for this sort of a thing
as a rule, but thought l should like to
see Count Mirabcau's collection. They
talk so much about it. Besides, have
a little thing in the sale myself"
The friend did not heed the last part of
the remark, but answered the first.
"Oh, Count Mirabeau Yes, that is fine
enough, | confess but it is nothing com
pared to some china at the further end
of the room. You come this way and
will show you" The trio threaded their
way to a remote corner of the sale-room,
passing as rapidly as might be a great
/ quantity of very handsome china which
was arranged and ticketed ready for
sale. At the end, remote from the door
and near the rostrum, under two glass
molds, on a table stood their own two
vases.
"There, look at that" remarks the
friend complaceutly, with the gentle
patronage of superior knowledge. "That
is china if you like-worth any other
ten pieces in the room. Quite unique" I"
"Hang it!n said Mr. Fitzroy. 81 need
not have come all this way to see those
vases. Why, they are minen
OulS, Il lIEiOS llhC ludb. Ou
have turned humorist in your old age
Don't you wish they were, by Jovel You
must take care of your husband, Mrs.
Fitzroy. He works too hard"
Thank you for the insinuation,
Somerset. am sane enough to know
my own property when | see it. | tell
you those vases that you think such lot
Of are mine. sent them to Christie -
The tone and the words were too earnest
to be mistaken.
By this time the bystanders had heard
the colloquy, and had gathered the i'm
port of what was passing. The dealers
swarmed around Mr.. Fitzroy like vul-
lures upon carrion. They took the facts
and the "greenne s. IN at a glance.
81 will give you five 'undred pound
for those vases" al will give you six
hundred pound for those vases" ~ will
give you eight 'undred pound Tor those
vases" ~ will give you more than any
man ia England for those vases on the
table, sir" Such were the cries
which resoInded On all hands.
Mr.. itzroy was perfectly bewildered,
and ran considerable risk of being re
duced to the condition Somerset had sug-
gested previously. The latter, who was
an Old hand. came t. his rescue
Don't be a fool, Fitzroy. If they
really are yours, keep cool head on
your shoulders. They tell me telegrams
have been on the go all over Europe
about those vases to-day. They arc
worth mint of money. Don't part tc
any of these sharks"
On the steps of the hall the barrister
would have taken twenty pounds for hi;
chances from that days sale with cheer
full alacrity.
Mrs FitZroy was looking very white
The sudden turn affairs had taken was
almost too much for her.
Don't faint, my dear" remarked her
husband The advice was needed She
fe,t very like it. But woman's buttress,
curiosity to see the end, sustained her
If woman were not curious, she would
die more often than she does
The sale began. Count Mirabeau'
collection was sold first. The junior
partner was the auctioneer. The Count,
china was indeed magnificent and duly
appreciated. The bidding was active
and the prices adequate. Nevertheless
throughout there was a restless feeling
of impatience. More was coming. The
td-bit was kept to the last.
There was pause. Then, amidst loud
applause and great excitement, to whicl
it may be imagined the Fitzroys were
not wholly insens BILE, the two vases
were placed before Mr. Woods the auc
tioneer, in full view of the audience
When silence supervened, Mr.. Wood
said:
Gentlemen, we know next to nothing
about this china which stands before
you. and of which you have Just testified
your approval. We cannot give you it;
detailed history, All we know is thai
these vases have been hidden away in
country rectory in the Midands for forty
years and more Anything further back
seems to be absolutely uncertain. One
thing, however, we do know absolutely
The tinting is the real Rose du Bari
We thought there we-e only five vases il
Europe, the finest existing examples o.
this beautiful ware. We now know
there are seven, The sixth and seventh
stand before you. gentlemen.
Another round of applause greeted
the conclusion of this short speech. The
bidding began. Mr.. and Mrs. James
Fitzroy stood in the corner unnoticed
breathless with suppressed excitement
No one needed them. They again played
second fiddle to their own property.
Five hundred pounds was the first bic
for the pair. A cheer emphasized tn,