Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-05-27
PARTED By A CUP.

i ILL III III Ia VII
All the great cities of Europe possess
some specimens of the rich mandatory
of Sevres One of the most precious of
these could have been found some
years ago at Venice in the palace of the
Comtesse Erminia D; 1t was a de-
ieuner of old Seyres, pale and delicate,
composed of eight pieces "a tray hold
ing coffee-pot, cream-cup, sugar-bowl
and two cups with saucers.
The COmtesse Erminia held these
porcelains by inheritance from an uncle
who had bought them in Paris during
the revolution. They were part of the
pillage from some of those great man
sions which had taken place at that dis
astrous epoch. Among all the artistic
treasures which the fair Venetian
possessed this one was the object Of her
especial prediction.
The Comtesse was one of the most dis
tinguished women Of Venice at this
time She was % or 20 years of age,
!. very beautiful, very rich and of I'M
doubted virtue. To these advantages
she enioined the one of being free, and
as she showed no Discrimination to enter
again into the bonds of matrimonv many
aspirants to her hand disputed the pref
erence When these competitors had
each furnished proofs of his devotion,
the Comtesse made her choice; Count
Adriano R--wa to be her future
spouse She could not have chosen
better to have made at the same time
q marriage of convenience and lnclina-
thorn hot
equality of fortune and station, and
their personal advantages were also
equal, as the Count Adriano was consid-
cred one the handsOmest as well as the
most fascinating cavaliers of Venice.
The marriage was to take place in
month, and the Count came each day to
the home of his fancee, and there
passed the greater part of his time.
One day this happy home, so full of
charm, was disturbed by sad accident
In wishing to examine more closely the
delicate paintings of the dejeuner of
Sevres he had the misfortune to let one
of the cups fall and it was broken. The
ComteSse, who was present, uttered a
piercing cry and fell fainting on the
lounge, and when she recovered her
self it was only to show still more VIC
lently her despair and anger
He essayed III every way to comfort
and reassure her, for the broken cup
left, ii was true, a deplorable void on
the porcelain trayWhere each piece was
arranged for display in manner which
made It impossible for the loss not to be
perceived.
81 will arrange it ALL said the Count.
81 viii find cup equal to the one [ have
destroyed, if l have to go myself to seek
1t III the mandatory at Seyres."
THAT is what you had better do, re-
piled the Comtesse, sharply. $50, then,
quickly"
I have still better project to pro-
pose to YOU; We will go together; we
will travel to Paris Immediately after
<0ar marriage"
"Speak not to me of marriage" said
the Comtesse, whose irritation had
reached its height. II will not marry
YOU until you have restored my cup"
IN order to serve for comparison the
C0Ent carried with him the remaining
cup, which was carefully wrapped in cot
ton and soiidly inclosed in a box which
mas protected by plates of steel in a
manner that there should be nothing to
fear from shock or fall.
He had no expectation of being able
to nave q cup manufactured at Sevres
{, saual to the one which he had broken,
Tor he well knew that was impossible;
they would not be able to produce either
the ancient mark, the date or the sigma
ture of the artist. 1t was not counter
felt that he wished, nor an imitation,
nor one almost as fine; but he hoped
that there had been manufactured at
the same time several pieces equal to
this, and there might yet remain one of
them which be could purchase.
Being furnised with recommended
lions which should smooth all Difficult
ties. he arrived at Paris full of hope,
and proceeded immediately to Sevres.
He commenced courageously by visit
ing all the curiosity merchants SO
numerous in Paris, showing to each his
cup and inquiring if, in his raffics, he
at last replied: Eyes, a dejeuner Of
porcelain perfectly resembling your cup
was bought thirty years ago by a rich
amateur, who paid 81 900 for it.
s'Think you that he would consent to
sell it if [ wonid pay him double-triple
ali that he could ask ?" inquired the
Count.
Amateurs like the one of whom |
speak will not part with such precious
acquisition at any price, but this one is
dead, and the sale of his effects took
place five years ago. The object which
YOU desire, if [ remember rightly, was
purchased by an EngllShnan, VINO pald
5000 francs for it,
tAnd the name Of this Englishman ?'
II cannot recall it.
There are twenty louis for you if you
will learn it and inform me-"
The merchant thought it unnecessary
to say that it was a simple process, but
went 10 the auctioneer who had con-
Quoted the sale in question, and the
next day was able to answer that the
lEnglishman was Herbert W. The
Count started Immediately for London,
and repaired to the residence of Lord
Herbert, who lived in one of the most
beautiful mansions of Portland Place.
s'My Lord, /" said the Count, 81 have
learned that you possess a curious col
lection of ancient porcelain"