Telegram-herald., 1890-03-08

FOR the European delegates. They had
iQst space enough % follow the progress
e tbs sale and we're 20. even CON fort
ably seated
They were Eric Baldenak, Boris Kar-
kof, Jacques Jansen. Jan Harald, Major
DOnellan an1 his secretary, Dean
ToOdrink. They formed solid group.
standing together like soldiers on a
battlefield And were they not real '
going 20 battle FOR the possession of the
North Pole? On the American side ap-
parently nobody was represented. Only
the Goldfish dealer vas present, and bis
face had an expression OF the most su-
preme difference.
He seemed little concerned. and ap.
peared 10 be thinking Of his cargo which
was % arrive by the next steamer.
Where were the capitalists represented
By this man, who, perhaps, was going 70
start millions Of dollars rolling? This
was such . mystery as % excite public
curiosity 20 the utmost
No one doubted that Mr.. j. T. MaSton
and Mrs. Evangelina Scorbitt had some
thing 20 do with the matter, but what
could one guess on? Both were there.
place, surrounded by some members OF
the Baltimore Gun Club, friends Of Mr..
Naston. They seemed 10 be the least
interested spectators in the hall. Mr..
William s. Forster even did not seem
20 recognize them.
The auctioneer began by saying that
contrary 10 the general rule it was i'm
possible 20 show the article which was
about TO be sold. He could not pass
from hand TO hand the North Pole.
Neither could they examine il nor look
at is with a magnifying glass nor touch
il with their fingers TO see whether the
plating was real or only artificial, or
whether il was an antique, which IL
really was, he said. 1t was as old a.
stone, IL was as old as the world. since
ii dated back 20 the time the world was
made.
II, however, the North Pole was not
on the desk of the public appraiser. a
large chart. clear in view OF all inter
ested persons, indicated with marked
lines the parts which were going to be
sold at auction. Seventeen degrees be-
low the Polar Circle was red line,
clearly seen on the saith parallel, which
marked the section OF the globe
put up for sale. II appeared that there
was only water in this region covered
with ice Of considerable thickness. But
this was the risk of the purchaser. In
any case he would not be disappointed
in the nature of his merchandise by any
misrepresentation
a. twelve o'clock exactly the public
auctioneer entered by q little trap door
cut in the boards OF the floor and took
his place before the desk. His crier,
Flint had already arrived, and was
walking up and down as agitated as a
bear in a cage. Both were glad at the
prospect. as they thought that the sale
would run up TO an enormous sum and
put large and acceptable percentage in
their pockets. OF course, the sale would
have 10 be made under the regular
American rule, ready cash
The amount OF money. no matter how
large it would be, must be raised by the
delegates. At this moment a large bell
ringing with vigOr indicated that the
bidding was going TO begin. What a
solemn moment! Many hearts quivered
in that neigh borhood. A minor riot
spread among the crowd outside and
reached into the hall, and Andrew r.
Gilmour, tho auctioneer, had to wait
until quiet was restored. He got
up and looked steadily at his assist
- l.. t. IL fal1
on his breast and said in as quiet a
voice as possible: Gentlemen, accord
ing % the plan OF the Federal Govern
rent and thanks 20 +Ne acquiesCence
gwen it By The European powers, We
viii sell a great ixcd mass, situated
around the North Pole all that is with
in the limits Of tho saith parallel, CON
,inen's waters. bays, islands. iccbergs.
solid parts or liquid. whatever they may
be-" Then. turning toward the wall.
be said: Look AT his chart. which has
been outlined according % tho latest
discoveries. You viii see that the sur
face OF this lot contains 10000 square
uilos. Therefore. to make tho sale
easier IT, has been decided that tho bids
should be made for each square milo
Zach cent bid, for instance, will be-
equal 70 407 900 cents and each dollar
a.. 900 dollars on The total purchase. A
little silence, please. gentlemen"
This request vas not superfuous. be
cause the impaticnCc OF the public had
reached such degree that tho voice oi
sbidder would hardly bc heard Af.er
parial silence had been established
thanks to tto industry of the crier
Flint who -oa-o3 ike foghcrn. Mr.
Iuou- resumed As follows "Boior,
beginning rtli mention only one con
di..on % tho sale No matter VIVA
change should happen. either from 2
rorrraph icai or meteorological stand
roint tbis region after being sold p
the highest Bidder is absolutely his owI
beyond any dispute. and The other coun
fries have no right - possession wh a.
e7er a. ierr az She ter-- terry is nos out
side cf ere limits of The s4fh Dc
gree north latitude Again vas thi
singular phrase mentioned a. : very in
portant moment some laughed ~ it
others consi5err5 10 verT serious'Y p
The BIDS are opeu.F said re pabU
aartloneer In a loud voice, an3 whil.
his ii-tle ivory banner vas rolling i
bis band he a3ded IN a. uadertons
"fVe have o7ers a. 10 cents t1e sQgsr
u1ile Ten cents or the tantn psrt 81
delisr-ths would make an amount O.
80 20 f-~ the Whole a. ttis mro~shl.
rr1ve~tv Whathsr fhe s1rtfer 80
Hs8 hs8 sarh ,Fers or rot does rot rat
ar- hs.- a ass, Al. Nf4 .rrs -.-.~---9 81 r-.