St. Landry democrat., 1888-06-23

glanced at the slip of paper inclosed in
the box, and counted out some small
silver and gold piece on the table.
The fat man counted the money care
fully for himself, made his adieux and
departed. The bookseller took from
the drawer of the table book wrapped
in a silk handkerchief, deposited it in
the box, and wrapped the box itself up
in the handkerchief, and afterward in
paper.
"There," he said. with a satisfied
air, to his reflection in the mirror.
Now when that fellow brings the cer-
tificate we shall be o. X"
Eleven months had passed since the
poor Bohemian had sold his "Pucelle"
to get him a morning cocktail, when
the New York press announced the sale
at Levite & Co. 8 of the celebrated Dry
bunkio collection. No one had heard
of the Drybunkio collection before,
among all the photographers, biblio-
maniacs, bibliophiles, bibliocranks,
and the rest interested in matters
photographed in New York. But it
was certainly big lot of books, enum-
Grated in fat catalogue stuffed with
the trite quotations and bad English
common to book-auction catalogues in
the metropolis. And the catalogue
conveyed the information that the
Baron Drybunkio had been famous
European collector, who was recently
deceased, and whose superb library
was to be disposed of for the benefit of
his estate. The collection, the cata-
logue assured you, had been sent to
America because the departed Baron
Drybunkio had so commanded in his
will; the baron being convinced that
there was more liberality and appreci-
alton of such collection as his to be
found in America than elsewhere.
Among the important objects for sale,
in the Drybunkio collection, was this
item:
st999-PUCELLE d ORLEANS, LA.-Magnifcent
copy of the first edition, extra-illustrated with
the celebrated original plates, in three states
viz, artist proof, proof before letters, and let
tered proof, in matchlesS binding of green
levant hand fooled from special design, by
Tout. A unique copy, from the collection Of
the world-famous amateur and collector Baron
Rothschild. This copy was one OF the books
contained in the Voltaire Library at Ferney,
and is guaranteed by written attestation from
M. Paul Lacroix, 'Bibliophile Jacob The vol
ume inclosed in a special case, bearing the
Rothschild arms, in perfect condition. and q
gen.
The Drybunkio sale came off. The
usual flock of book-buyers and book
sellers. of lambs and wolves gathered,
for the auction had been well-adver-
tised and generously pulled by the pa
pers. The bookseller was there with
the rest, and among the prizes he car
ried away was the .'Pucelle," casket
and all. I do not recall the price he
paid for it, but it was very moderate
one. Indeed, the older hands at book
buying did not scruple to hint that it
and his other purchases were of the
nature of CANNON, and concerned
only books belonging to himself and
on whose sale price limit had been
set Old Blakkelettyr, who spends all
his life at book-auctions, and is an en-
cyclopedia of book-auction lore, was
superabundantly eloquent over the mat
ter.
you watt said he, '.and see if he
doesn't begin to work it off on some
body as the gem of the sale.
..But why should he putt in the sale
and buy it back if it belonged to him
already?" demanded little Faddler.
whose latest rage is book-collecting
and who is purchasing experience at
liberal prices.
''Why"' snorted Blakkelettyr, why
do they send California wine on voy-
age across the herring-pond?"
ITO give it flavor, suppose" said
Faddler.
Yes" grunted Blakkelettyr, Sin
the mouths of fools, and to make peo-
pie believe that it is what it ISM t"
Sure enough, it was not fortnight
after the sale when [ came upon the
precious volume in its owners shop
window, with large label announcing
that it had been the gem Of the Dry
bunkio sale, where the bookseller had
purchased it from Baron Rothschild 8
collection. There was a gaping crowd
staring at this treasure all day long, or
what is nearer the point, staring at the
placard. When ! went in yesterday
to pick up a French novel or two for
Sunday reading, the bookseller had a
large and imposing-looking man in a
corner talking to him. and the gem of
the Drybunkio sale between them.
"a treasure, sir. said the book
seller; 'quite unique, l assure you.
How it got out of Baron Rothschild's
hands can not understand"
Here followed whispers, from which
I could pick out odd patches like dds
honest valet" probably stolen" and
the like.
"a thousand dollars. you said" re.
marked the customer.
Twelve hundred, SIR" replied the
bookseller, mildly, but firmly.
''Oh, come, now, a thousand is quite
enough"
.'Well, say eleven hundred. sir,
though it leaves me very little mar
gin"
Then came more whispers and the
imposing person went away. The
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