Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-07-14

him a note, though, and say old Mem
toni himself had sold the picture with
out my knowledge"
Eliassen trudged around that Same
evening, in a rage, and babe still higher.
SO that NJ. Mentoni's veracious clerk
gravely informed Mr.. Poulett that,
though sorry to disoblige customer.
they could not really resell a picture
which had once been ordered. It was
contrary to their principles.
Come" said Poulett, chats all talki
If give you forty dollars for it"
''Quite out of the question" said the
clerk, who had been offered the same
sum by Ezra Eliassen.
Fifty, then. It's more than it's
worth, but my friend rather fancies
it"
The clerk stroked his chin again.
"Well-if it's possible thing to i'm
port in time another for old Eliassep.'
"How soon does he want it?"
by the third of February, without
fail
Every singular" said Mr.. Poulett
my customer named the same day.y-
say, Jackington, must have it at, s9y
price. Come! I'll give you seventy
five down for the picture, possession,to
to be given ut once"
And Mr. Jackington closed the bar
gain. The picture, neatly packed, was
delivered to Mr.. Poulett, who immedi-
ately informed his fair client that the
"Ophelia" could not be bought for less
than a hundred
"A hundred dollars9 Oh myr' said
Mrs. Clever. IA hundred dollars for a
mere engraving"
But such an engraving, ma'am,''
bowed Mr.. Poulett. Zone of the finest
specimens of art in the country. 1t
will be a gem, a perfect gem"
WELL" said Mrs. Clever. reclzlessly,
"I'l take it. Not that I should ever
care to look at it twice-but it's Clev-
er's TASTE
Old Ezra Eliassen shook his head.
when Mr.. Clever came around the next
day to see if he had purchased the
"Ophelia."
"Mentonis copy is Sold" said he;
''for hundred dollarsv'
Sold! Oh, hang It'll" bawled Clever.
''But there's one thing, whoever paid a
hundred dollars for that thing was q
full-sized fool"
II could import one like it for the
same money" said Eliassen, watching
his customers face.
Gould you, thought BY the third of
February"
II guessh shor'
Import it thenI I'll not be baked, "
said Mr.. Clever, bringing his clenched
hand down on the rail of old Eliassen's
desk. Its more than can afford and
three times what the thing is worth,
but Maria likes it, and Maria shall be
suited for once in her life. But mind,
1t must be on the spot by the third OF
February, OF not as red cent do you
getr'
There shall be no mishtake, )" nodded
Ezra Eliassen.
The third of February came; and
Mrs. Clever radiantly awaited her
husbands appearance in the breakfast
room, with a brown paper package all
twined and sealed on the table. Enters
Mr.. Clever with ditto package under
his arm.
Dearest" said Maria, this is the
tenth anniversary of our bridal-dayI
| Accept this memento of love"
And she gave him brown paper par.
eel Number One.
"Hellor' said Mr.. Clever. "And I've
| got something for you, Maria" hand
ing her brown paper parcel NumbeI
Two.
"Oh, a thousand thanks" sighed
Maria
much obliged, I'm sure" said Mr..
Clever. And they both went to work
with scissors and penknife at the Irvine
and paper. And out of both wrappings
emerged - the same fair, floating
*Ophelia," in the same CLASSY stream,
with the same blue-fags blossoming
along its edge.
Mr.. and Mrs. Clever looked at each
other, and then at the ''Ophelias."
81 meant to surprise you, love,
l gasped Mrs. Clever. "And you've
thought of the very same thing. How
kind of your
by Jove, am surprised" said Mr.
Clever, blankly. 1.-Two of 'eml AnG
each one uglier than the otherr'
Mrs. Clever began to cry. Mr.. Clever
put his hands in his pockets apt
whistled. And just then in BUSTED
Uncle Chipley, who always breakfastet
with them on their anniversary day.
'Hallo!" said Uncle Chipley, wht
was rather dabster at the fine arts
"Donnavetti's 'Ophelia,' eh? But you'v,
got two of 'em. A bargain, eh9 Or a
auction?"
II gave hundred dollars for mine,
whispered Mrs Clever.
And 1 gave hundred for mine!'
exclaimed her husband, dragging say
agely at his mustache
Then you were both great fools,
mildly remarked Uncle Chipley. ."
saw half a shop full of 'em in Paris
when I was over there last, for tel
dollars apiece, American money
They're n regular drug in the market
over there!'
"Of course, l appreciate the atten
ton, Maria, and all that sort Of thing,
began Mr.. Clever, "but l don't wan
this gushy thing on my WALSH
"And am sure it would give me tn,
nightmare to have that drowning face
in any ROOM" retorted Maria. crisply
And she jerked out of the room in
manner not at all BETTING wedding
anniversary.
| And If anyone wants a proof en-
craving of Donuavetti's "Ophelia." he
may find two Of them at the establish
ment of Mr.. Ezra Eliassen, who Dough
them of the Clevers for five dollar
Il