The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-20
OLD lSAACS OUTWlTTED.
How Two Sharpers Victimized Hebre,
Papyn-RrOIxar

Pawn-Broker.
A gentleman called in at the shop of
Mr.. Abaham Levi Isaacs, with a violin
case under his arm. He purchased a
neck-tie, for which he paid thirteen
cents, and then asked permission to
leave his box while he did few errands
in the eighborhood. Mr.. Isaacs had no
objection.
''It is VIOLIN" said the gentleman,
(which Iprize very highly. 1t was given
me by an old Italian who died at my
fathers house. 1 beg you will be care
full of it, sir.''
Mr.. Isaacs promised, and the owner of
the precious violin departed.
Toward noon, while the old-clothes
dealer was deeply engaged in the work
of selling an ancient and time-honored
suit as bang-up broadcloth, a stranger
entered the shop-a remarkably we'll
dressed man, with distinguished look.
The viOlin-case was in sight upon a
shelf, and as no one was near to prevent
him, the newcomer slipped around and
opened the case, and took out the in
Btrument-a very dark. hued and ancient
looking one.
"Hallo!" cried Isaacs, when he heard
the sound of the violin. "what for you
touch dat, eh?"
The stranger explained that he was a
professor-that he was leader of an
orchestra-and that he could never see
violin without trying it. And then he
drew the bow across the strings, playing
few passages of a fine old German
waltz.
'My SOUL" he cried, after he had run
his fingers over the instrument while,
''that is the best violin l ever saw
There is not better in England-a per-
fectly genuine old Cremona. I will
give you twenty dollars for it."
Isaacs said it was not his.
"Ill give you fifty-a hundred"
Mr.. Isaacs was forced to explain how
the violin came to be left in his shop.
The stranger had taken out his pocket
book and drawn forth roll of bank
notes. He put them back, remarking:
81 must have that violin if money will
buy It, When the owner returns, will
| you ask him to wait for me? If he can
not wait, ask him to meet me here at
six o'clock. If he can not do that, tell
him to call at the Office of the treasurer
of the Academy Of Music and inquire
for the director of the orchestra. Will
you do it?"
| Isaacs said he would.
"But," suggested the stranger, "you
need not tell the man what l have said
about his violin, nor what 1 have Of
fere9. because he may have no idea of
what treasure he possesses. You will
be careful and circumspect."
The stranger went away, and Abra-
| ham Levi Isaacs reflected. In the course
| Of an hour, the owner of the violin re-
turned, and asked for his box But the
''old clio" man had been captivated by
the golden bait. What would the gen-
tleman sell his violin for?
At first the gentleman would not
listen to the proposition; but after a
deal of talk, he confessed that he was
not himself a professor, and could not
we'll afford to keep such valuable in
| strument He would sell it for fifty
| 1ollars-not penny less.
Mr.. lSaacs paid the moEey, and be-
| came the legal possessor of the violin.
| ready to take any thing from two hun
ared to two hundred and fifty from the
director OF the orchestra, as he might be
| able.
| But the director did not come. At the
snd OF week, Isaacs carried the violin
TO professional friend, and asked him
"nat was It's real value, before calling
IN the professor.
Five dollars, without the easel"
Abraham Levi Tcaooc xryoc
opinion that the gentleman who left the
violin in his care was swindler. that
The director was partner in the bust
ness, and that together they had made
him their victim. That night old clothes
went up ten per cent.=N Y L.edra1