Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-11-27

shaped stuned blros. some tawdy prints
even some hideous compositions Of
shells and moss, came in by turns for
their share of admiration. And then,
at last. with look at the two figures
on the mantel-piece-
'Oh. by the bye, Mrs. Hawkins
[John always managed to get his vic.
Tins names correctly. what are those
china groups? Have you had them
long?''
That china. my lord. was present
from my grandmother, aud set great
store by it."
Il easily followed my brother-in.
laws calculation. "Mrs. Rawlin's
grandmother! The things must be
100 years old. at leastr')
''Have you any fancy to part with
them?" he continued. II don't sup
pose they are worth much. but should
like a little remembrance OF Mon,
mouthshire. and OF our pleasant lunch
here yesterday"
'Oh, my lord. il it wasn't for Raw
Inns should be glad to give them t.
your lordship. or with glance al
me- any gentleman staying at the
court"
Uwonder what his lordship would
have said II had not been presently
"Oh. no. Mrs. Rawlins. can't think
Of taking them for nothing"
We'll, 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 foil.
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
q travelling peddler; one was just
black woman with head on like an
elephant, and the other a woman too,
but she and her children were feeding
Il swan"
Uord Johns face expressed: 81
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 and 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,
II shall be glad to give you IS 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 I heard. 20 guineas
for what he took from grandmother.
She was housekeeper. sir Ito mo-, as
you have heard tell. at the duke OF
Beliort's." q had heard this circum-
stance mentioned once or twice before
and was acquainted with the rcputa.
ton OF the Beliort collection Of china. }
Lord John turned quite pale.
''Oh, my good woman" he cried,
''Pll give you fl0 aud 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 dust them first, my lordp'
she asked. producing as she did SO a
heavy, damp towel
''For heavens sake. woman, no.
Nov the bargain WAS struck there
was no need Of further civility.] I'll
take them with me just as they are.
George. you won't mind carrying one,
will your"
did mind carrying one very much.
I Gisliked the whole transaction. John
had certainly paid q considerable sum
OF money, but even with my imperfect
acquaintance with such matters knew
that il these groups were genuine, they
were worth fully 30 guineas the pair.
had my suspicious however about
them, and on our way home I asked
my companion how he could feel so
absolutely certain about their gen.
uineness. There is no Dresden
mark" said.
''Oh. isn't there?" was the reply
Don't you see there is a smear OF
cement on the bottom of themp That
was probably put there at the slime
there was u heavy tax on Dresden
china. and proves their antiquity. l
will show you the crossed swords
underneath Tonight
held my tongue.
Our house party, as have said. had
broken up, but several of the neigh
bors were coming to dine. and
Lord John deferred the removal
of the cement till after dinner, when
we should be all together in the draw
ing-room. and he would have an audi
ence sufficiently large and apprecia-
tive.
The proper moment arrived; a pen
knife was produced. and the plaster
carefully and tremendously scraped
OF. But instead OF the crossed swords
appeared the following inscriptions:
| .............. ........ ..............
PRESENT FROM NEWPORT, 1883.
|