The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-12-12

$50. turned it up in the body or the
catalogue, and thrill Of anguish and
disappointment ran through my breast.
This is what / read, "999-A Nihilist
Conspiracy. Michael Angelo Badger" Z"
What could it mean? The great Goose
club picture had, then, been refusedl
All, mel the disappointment was too
cruell
could have shed tears, but the agony
felt at that moment was nothing 10
what was to follow. 1 flung myself
down on one of the big settees and tried
to compose my feelings. AS did so Mr.
Ahitophel, the picture dealer, catalogue
in hand, passed me and gave a friendly
nod-the impudent beggar. l use the
word heggar in its figurative sense, for
Mr.. Ahitophel is, as you know, disgust
ingly rich. And then twenty-eight Of
my intimate acquaintance slowly passed
me, one by one. Each Of them looked
as if he was attending his own funeral.
Poor fellows, how sympathized with
them. Suddenly 1 received a tremen-
dous slap on the back. It was Pugwash,
the sculptor. It wasn't well chosen
moment for slapping me on the back. l
turned gloomily toward him; my heart
was too full for words.
whats the matter, old manP' said
Pugwash the sculptor airily. "Have
you had your pocket pickedS"
eth be an awful blow for Badger, "
said in a voice that might have touched
the heart of a stone. "It's a fearful dis
appointment to u.s."
Don't be fool, said Pugwash, drag
ging me to my feet Lets come and
have look at it."
followed him into room @. 1t was
there, sir, and in front of it stood Mr..
Ahitophel smiling blandly, and twenty
eight Of my intimate acquaintance,
each with face yard and half long.
needn't describe the picture, IT'S too
well known. was the central figure. l
have nothing to complain of as to the
likeness. The likeness was perfect.
Upon that dreadful canvas, sir, the fire
Of genius sparkled from my eyes, but ]
was dressed in sheepskin coat, sir, and
muddy pair Of butcher boots, In my
hand 1 held an Internal machine, the
properties of which / was apparently ex-
planning to my twenty-nine fellow con-
spirators. There was small petroleum
lamp on little table in the center of the
picture, which lighted up the faces Of
the conspirators with sort Of devilish
rembrandtesque glare.
They all wore muddy boots and sheep.
skin coats.
"Ain't it splendid, dear boysY" said
Mr.. Ahitophel, with a sort of circular
comprehensive wink that took us all in
at once.
None Of us answered him.
"Well, anyhow, continued Ahitophel,
"Tve bought it, and 1 paid him four fig
ures for it. And you'll find pate de foie
gras and Dry Monopole in Sutherland
avenue at 2 sharp; and l shall be de-
lighted to see the lot of YOU"
None of us went to Mr.. Ahitophel's
lunch-none Of us; we were too deeply
grieved. None of us, 1 mean, except
Pugwash; and he's fellow who would
lunch with the king of the Cannibal
islands If there was plenty of champagne
II gave him the idea," shouted Pug
wash triumphantly. "The accessories
are delightfully."- correct. 1 brought 'en
from Russia myself"
Our twenty-nine hearts were too full
for words.
"It's the picture of the year." said Mr.
Ahitophel triumphantly.
And it was.
Just then Badger suddenly appeared.
OF course we had to congratulate him
I'm afraid we did it in a rather hall
hearted way.
"It's capital joke, isn't ity' said
Badger.
And then we all laughed loud, hol
low, unmeaning cachinnation. 1t was
the laugh OF a chorus of Adelphi guests
"You saved me pots of money in mod
els, dear boys said Badger. "Accep'
my grateful thanks;" and then he sol
emnly shook hands with us all, one aftel
the other.
Ihave never shaken hands with Badger
since.
What conceited fellows artists arel-
Pittsburg Leader.