Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-12-06
Marion DGlOlnlG:;
THE WORTH OF WIT.
By j. W. WATSON.
Author Of Hold Fast and Ketcham," Bank.
ers and Brokers'" Etc, Etc.
CHAPTER VII.
sErTIMus nuYs A PICTURE.

manding presence and pleasant speech, and
o portly man of about sixty. with good
honest face, though showing the signs of
wealth, and of common origin. The elder
spoke first
I've been waiting for you, Mr.. Stanley,
for over half an hour" looking at his
watch. II don't usually wait for any one
hum! but this young lady was kind enough
to talk to me, and SO passed the time very
pleasantly.
Thank you," responded Stanley, with q
smile. This is Miss Marion Delorme
Mr.. Smith"
MIR. Ssptimus Smith bowed awkwardly
and admiringy to Miss Delorme. who re-
turned it with gracious smile. Then
Sept'mus turned again to Stanley and said
rather pompously:
SO You know my name, Mr.. Stanley?"
Yes, Sir; have heard of you, and seer
you once"
"Now, no doubt, as have heard Of you
am well known on Change, and in q
business way. The heaviest in my way
The paint, oil, and putty ine-in the
United States. Now, Mr.. Stanley, to
business. l don't know much about
pictures. but my wife thinks she does, and
SO she takes me to the Academy Exhibition
every year. Last year saw there picture
of yours, called DE Sorter Discovering the
Mississippi Now, l tell you l didn't
know then who De Sorter was. and I don't
know much better now, though my wife
has read about it and posted me a little
and Miss Delorme and have been talking
about him Just now Howsomedever,
took a fancy to that picture, and I've
thought about it ever since, and my liking
that picture has made me of a mind to
have picture gallery, for though 1 don't
know anything about art, MS they call it,
ha! ha! ha. / do know what like about a
picture, and SO | thought, Mr.. Stanley, that
I'd like to have that De Sorter picture for
the first, if l could get it, and that's the
way, sir, l came to hunt you up.
Il am very sorry, Mr.. Smith, to say
that | have already refused to sell that
picture to several of my most eminent
patrons. l have been offered five thousand
dollars for it, Mr. Smith.
$50 am told, said Septimus, brushing
back his hair and pulling at his left ear, a
habit he had when making bargain.
But preferred to keep it myself" said
Stanley, quietly
So I'm told" responded Septimus. "I'll
give six thousand, seven, eight, Mr.. STAN
ley"
Il have said to each one who wished to
purchase, Mr.. Smith, that, if l concluded
at any time to sell it, I would not take
more than the original offer of five thous-
and. The picture is not really worth more
than that, and would not like to impose
on the admiration of my patrons"
So I'm told Mr.. Stanley. You're an
honest man, sir, and good painter, and as
you won't let me have the picture, I'll ask
favor of you, which is TO let me see it
once in while. The fact is, Mr.. Stanley,
I've set aside a hundred thousand dollars
to spend in pictures, but if can't get the
De Sorter, I'll give up the idea altogether. "
Now, Mr.. Smith, you put the matter in
light by which do not want to look at it.
l think it would be an unjustifable act on
my part to deprive you of cherished idea
and my brother artists of the results of
your liberallty. Come in and look at my
picture once more, and if your apprecia-
ton and desire remain the same, you
shall have it at the price first named.
"Tll take it at your own price, said the
delighted Septimus, without looking at it,
il you say So"
Stanley, with laugh, led the way to the
back room, where the DE Sorter" picture
was hung in an excellent light, making it
look far better than Smith had seen it be-
fore.
That's it! That's it," he said, enthusi-
astically I'D know it in a minute, Miss
Delorme. 1t would be an ornament to any
house, and yet you keep 1t hid here in a
back room. It's like man writing book
entirely for his own reading Why, I'd
hang it down in my shop and it would give
you more reputation than here. Does any,
body ever come here to see it?"
"Oh. yes, sir" said Stanley, laughing.
Some of the plcasantest moments of my
life are passed in showing it to those who
have heard of it and come to see it."
Well, Mr.. Stanley" said Septimus, eag-
erly, lis it mine or yours? Speak quick"
Yours. Mr.. Smith," answered Stanley.
Willingly, Mr.. Stanley?' queried Smith,
more quietly.
Most willingly, Mr.. Smith"
Il take you to witness, Miss Delorme,
said Septimus, drawing check book from
his pocket will you take the extra three
thousand offered, Mr.. Sanley?"
mo. sir!" said Stanley. emphatically, AS
you business men say, bargain is bar
gain"
In q few m nutes the check was drawn,
the receipt sigued. and the picture passed
into the possession Of the delighted Septi-
mus He now had time to talk about
something else, and he gave Stanley and
Marion his ideas of picture gallery.
Rude as they were, Stanley saw in few
minutes that the father of his Garry had
innate points Of refinement and cultivation
that. had they found chance of develop
ment in earlier days, might have come to
something; but it was too late; they had
been absorbed in paints, oils, and putty,
and no analysis could separate them.
Even though his point was achieved, Sep
timus seemed loath to 60. He wandered
about, looked at the pictures, and gossiped
with Marion, told stories of his early life,
which he seemed rather proud to acknowl-
edge had originated in the very lowest
strata of society
money really can't do much for man,
Miss Delorme, unless he has it early in
life. All the dancing masters in the world
couldn't make me graceful now, or all the
colleges teach me how to speak the English
language correctly. and yet do not mean
to say that it would have been any better u
had possessed all these advantages. I've
got son, now, who has had everything
lavished on him that money could buy, but
to what use? He is dunderhead for all,
Miss Delorme. No, no, won't say that,
for the fellow knows enough IL he would
let what he knows have fair play; but
he has no ambition, or rather be has been
brought up not 10 use 1t. He has q rich
father. and that covers the whole ground,
even though 1t does him no practical good
now for his rich father has determined