Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-11-12
Saint Nargfs Beacon.
BUYING A CUYP.

81 must have that Cuyp," said
Mr.. Septimus Palecourt to himself
as he stood gazing intently at a cat
tie piece con view" with several
other pictures of various dimensions
exposed in readiness for the next
days sale in fashionable auction
room.
Shouldn't wonder if / got it
cheap" he went on referring to the
catalogue he held in his hand.
Either from ignorance or want of
judgment, this gem of a painting
is described here as attributed to
Cuyp-quite enough to hinder any
one from bidding unless he happens
to know better. Attributed indeed!
| should think SO, and rightly. A
more and undOubted specimen Of
the master never hung on the wall. :"
After thus decidedly expressing
his opinion and bestowing a fare
well glance on the object of his adj
miration, the speaker put his spec
tacles and the catalogue into his
pocket, and waddling out of the
room hailed passing hanson,
which speedily conveyed him to his
home in Thurole square.
Now, if there was one thing on
which Mr.. Palecourt prided himself
more than another, it was his
knowledge of art although where
he could have picked it up was a
puzzle not so easy to solve.
lie was stout little man Of no
patrician extraction, who, having
realized a handsome fortune in
business, had retired into private
life at the age of 80, and taken up
his abode, as he was wont to express
it, within a stones throw Of the
South Kensington museum" of
which, as well as of every other
artistic exhibition in London he be-
came an assiduous frequenter. Be
ing afflicted, moreover, with the
prevalent collecting" mania, he
very soon converted the fairly
spacious house occupied by him into
a repository for all sorts of miscel-
laneous curiosities, more or less
apocryphal, the fruits of many an
exploring ramble through the high
ways and by-ways of the metropolis.
His special hobby was the for
nation of picture gallery, and
curious, indeed, were the examples
of different schools unearthed, no
one but himself knew where but
vouched for by their owners as
originals of unimpeachable authelti-
city. He had now an opportunity,
which he resolved not to miss, of
adding to his collection a hitherto
unrepresented name, and before
reaching Hyde park corner had al
ready made up his mind in which
room he would hang up his acquisi-
ton when he got it.
Women have a good eye for eff
feet" he said. "I'll talk it over
with SOphy, but I'm pretty sure
that she will be of my opinion"
Mrs. Palecourt, one of the few
ladies nowadays who prefer adopt
ing their husbands decision to the
trouble of thinking for themselves,
having, as was anticipated, placidly
signified her approval, a vacant
space on the dining room wall was
agreed upon as fitting place of
honor Tor the coming masterpiece /;
and its installation thereon regarded
as a foregone conclusion.
Slips, however, between the cup
and the lip will sometimes occur,
and the next mornings post brought
with ii n summons which materially
affected Master Septimus' plans. 1t
was from an old friend. on the point
of embarking the same evening
from Portsmouth, who desired to
consult him on certain business
matters before leaving England.
.'There's no help for it," said
Mr.. Palecourt, after reading the
letter aloud for his wife's benefit.
Il must go; so there's an end of it.
Ii he could only have waited until
tomorrow.
Very provoking" chimed in
Sophy. 1--WE must hope for better
luck another time
Not likely" doubtfully replied
her liege lord. "Cuyps don't turn
up every day. However, l may as
well start at once ; and don't wait
dinner for me, for | may not be