The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-06-22
GENESIS OF A GEM.
How photographed Treasures
Are Manufactured to Order.

One day. some twelve months ago. :
book lay among lot of others on $
booksellers counter in New YOrl
shop. much haunted by bibliomaniacs
1t was an old book. not particularly
rare. and not in particularly good con
dition. No one but a professional
book hunter would have looked thrice
at 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. sud given
a general air of wickedness under the
excuse of photography. The book.
seller. coming in. found it where il
had been carelessly thrown.
..Ah!" he said. "a 'Pucelle!' Where
did this come from, Joseph"
II gave that drunken newspaper
man quarter for it," replied his
clerk. He wanted to get his breakfast.
and had forgotten his packet-book."
"He hadn't forgotten to bring his
book. though, !" remarked the booksel-
Ter. grinning. Queer memories some
RCVPiC hlNcs cus coSCpu.
Joseph assented. and his employer.
after reproving him for not having got
the book for dime, took it away Will,
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
. gentleman. and was also very decrepit
and very shabby. and he carried little
portfolio under his lean and thread
bare arm. In a hesitating and difiiden:
voice that was full of shame at having
to deal with sord.d subject. and full
of anxiety as well, he said:
81 have some prints I would like to
sell. SIR"
mot buying prints just now" said
the bookseller without looking up. but
nevertheless getting comprehensive
view of his visitor from under his stink
ing eyelids. Don't you want to buy
some?'
The old man sighed so dolefully that
any one but dealer in rare books
might have experienced a toucl, of
compassion for HIM.
'.Alas" he said. ''the 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 a 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 helplcssly and
YEARLY. 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.
No use." replied the bookseller.
mot 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.
They are very rare" said the old
man. land in good condition. thought
l might. perhaps. get little money on
them"
..How much?" demanded the oook-
seller. fiercely. it being his habit al
ways to bully a seller and to rlscstc a
buyer. "A fortune. l 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 a deprecatory
motion with his hands.
In my case" he said. with certain
dignity. Il hoped TO get = little money
that need for these prints. which cost
me a great deal
Tut. TUT" interrupted the book
seller. How much? Give it fis-
ure.''
Ten dollars" said the old man, in
qairing Y.
The bookseller laughed.
why not hundrcds" 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, sir:"
mot cent replied the book seller.
commencing to turn out the lights
His visitor took up the portfolio and
laid it down again. He shook as with
the palsy. The bookseller noted him
out Of the corner of his eye. and jingled
some silver in his pocket