The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1890-12-18

100 years old, at leastr')
'Have you any fancy to part with
themP" he continued. II don't sup
pose they are worth much, but should
like littis remembrance of Mon
mouthshire, and of our pleasant lunch |
here yesterday"
"Oh, my lord, if it wasn't for Raw
Inns should be glad to give them to
your lordship, or with a glance at
mel any gentleman staying at the
court"
(I wonder what his lordship would
have said if had not been presently
"Oh, no, Mrs. Rawlins, can't think
of taking them for nothing"
well, my lord, I doubt II my
grandmother, If she'd ha' been alive.
would have liked the idea of my sell
ing her presents"
Lord Johns countenance fell.
Certainly" added Mrs. Rawlins,
she wasn't too proud to sell her own.
Why, she got 10 guineas for two
figures not half so gay as these from
travelling peddler; one was just IA
black woman with head on like an
elephant and the other q woman too.
but she and her children were feeding
q swan"
Iord Johns face expressed: al
was right; they are old Dresden The
woman with an elephants head! The
group which represents Africa! The
woman and children feeding a swan!
Leda aud attendant Cupids! And
these are two of the companion
groups. Worth Is guineas each any
day at Christie's.")
Then in that case" he went on,
''f shall be glad to give you f5 for the
pair"
'Well, my lord, should not like to
take your lordship's money without
asking the peddler-and he is in the
village again-if these are real
genuine. He got heard. 20 guineas
for what he took from grandmother.
She was housekeeper, sir Ito me as
you have heard tell. at the duke Of
Belforts." q had heard this circum-
stance mentioned once or twice before
and was acquainted with the reputa-
ton Of the Belfort collection Of china
Lord John turned quite pale.
"Oh, my good woman" he Dried,
''Pll give you f10 and take my
chance" and he Immediately handed
Mrs. Rawlins the money, which he
had ready for such an emergency, and
which she promptly pocketed.
: "Shall 1 dust them first, my lordp'
| she asked, producing as she did so {
heavy, damp towel.
} "For heavens sake, woman, no
Nov the bargain was struck there
J was no need of further civility.1 II
= take them with me just as they are.
= George, you won't mind carrying one
will youp"
3 did mind carrying one very much
I GisIiked the whole transaction. Johl
t had certainly paid considerable sun
s OF money, but even with my imperfect
}, acquaintance with such matters knew
@ that if these groups were genuine, tn Q
:. were worth fully 80 guineas the pair
: had my suspicious however abou
IN. them, and on our way home 1 aske
@ my companion how he could feel S
IT absolutely certain about their gen
e uineness. There is no Dresde
mark" said.
% ooh, isn't thereP" was the reply
e Don't you see there is a smear {
d cement on the bottom OF themp Thf
II was probably put there at the tim
< there was heavy tax on Dres2e
N china, and proves their antiquity.
g will show you the crossed sword
underneath tonight
@ held my tongue.
IS Our house party, as / have said, ha
S broken up, but several of the neigh
y bors were coming to dine, an
o Lord John deferred the remova
y Of the cement till after dinner, whe
. we should be all together in the draw
e. ing-room, and he would have an aud
it ence sufficiently large and appreci'
i tive.
l. The proper moment arrived; pei
TO knife was produced. and the plaste
rs carefully and tremendously scrape
D. off But instead OF the crossed SWORD
ID appeared the following inscription:
D. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
ii PRESENT FROM NEWPORT, 1888.
"a ........,........'.'.'' ''....'......''..'
~ The year previous to the bargain!
Whon now thaSa prounS mic ht n av