The Bossier banner., 1892-05-12
THAT RARE ENGRAVING.
4 Story of Mr.. and Mrs. Clever's
Wedding Anniversary.

eBeautifulw said Mr.. Clever, ecstat-
tally
"Exquisite!' echoed Mrs. Clever,
tandng on tiptoe, to peep over her
Husbands shoulder.
who's the artist?" said Mr.. Clever,
Hputting up his eyeglasses.
"Donnavetti, of Rome" responded
yme one who chanced to be nearer the
sight-line than he himself was.
"And what's the subject?" demanded
Mr. Clever, who, being business man,
was not quite posted in poetic lore. "A
lady divinity?"
"Ophelia!' irterposed Mrs. Clever,
hiskly.
"0hm said her husband, from
shakespeare? King Lear amt it?"
Hamlet corrected Mrs. Clever.
"0h! yes, Hamlet, " nodded her
husband II knew it must be in some
Hd those comedies"
Its q tragedy
whats the difference? It's all one
the end But really, that pictures
0mething different from the common.
IFonder if l could get the artist to
PAINT one for me like it?''
Hardly" said connoisseur, who
8Eas standing near.
4 Il don't mind the expense" asserted
Mr. Clever. loftily (which wasn't
strictly true, for he did).
4 "Yes, but unfortunately Donnavetti,
8at Rome, died twenty odd years ago"
4 Mr. Clevers countenance fell
'Ohr' said she Il was rather struck
Nby the picture-that's all"
$50 was l." said Mrs. Clever; ''such
Hasweet face-and the shadows on the
water so perfect! And only look at
8he blue-fags and rushes along the
shore
1 Il think there are one or two en-
rayings of it, yet extant, remarked
Ar Poulett, the connoisseur. And a
seel-engraving is next best to an oil
Rinting, you know"
ANY chromos?" said Mr.. Clever,
picking up bis ears
Chromos!" scornfully echoed old
POulett "Of Donnavetti, of Romeo"
"Horrid" chimed Mrs. Clever. why,
got chrome yesterday, with trial
pound of tea that l bought-a mere
edand-yellow daub. Nobody toler-
ates ehromos nowadays"
80 Mr.. and Mrs Clever went home
from Mr.. Moidore Millions picture.
gallery-opened for week to the pub
ne to help along some limping charity
-on artistic thoughts intent.
1never saw Mr.. Clever so interest
Cd in picture" pondered the lady.
I'll surprise him with one of those en-
cravings for our anniversary present,
MT can be obtained. Although did
not really fancy it.
Maria was perfectly fascinated
with that sprawling woman in the
water" reflected Mr.. Clever. TASTES
ulHer Give me a good, red-hot battle,
piece or landscape with plenty Of
sunshine. But if money IL buy the
ophelia,' it shall be Marias ON the an
H''efsary OF our wedding-day."
Mr. Clever dealt in hides and leather
W spruce street-a lucrative business
sphough not an aristocratic one-auc
Just around the corner an old Jewish
peture-dealer lurked, like human
'paer In his den. To Mr.. Ezra Elias
bis wishes
iesh, yesh, understand, nodded
~. Eiassen. ''Dere is one at Mento
aS out it coshts-ah, mine faith, i
esh's Its weight in gold 1t ish rar,
1 very rare. And dere ish only one il
aecountry."
mhat would it cost?" asked Clever
.su us hands in his pockets and on,
40. tapping the fender.
n. eheventy-fve dollarsh," said Mr.
sassen. after a hurried calculation
s' the engraving might possibly COS
aa twenty.
oraer it, then, and don't let sou
Tie word" i -0'' Aon
undershtand l understand"
Mr. Poulett '"''e " Aef ii'en0
a.. ar Poulett," she said, II must hav
mp engraving-by What's-his-name
has want to surprise my hus
trom !, out 1t must be pro found secre
eRes;n cost money, said Mr.. Poulet,
ag MS penhapdle against his teeth