Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-03-12

'Oruercu!
"Yes BY old Eliassen."
"How much did he give your" ques'
toned Poulett.
Twenty dollars"
"Put him off, can I you? I'll give
thirty"
WELL" said the clerk, obviously
strolsing his chin, "l'll try aud see
what can be done; but Eliasscn's n
crusty fellow to deal with. can write
him n note, though, and say old Men
toni himself had sold the picture with
out my knowledge"
Eliassen trudgcd around that same
evening, in rage, and bade still higher
SO that M. Mentonis veracious clerk
gravely informed Mr.. Poulctt that,
though sorry to disoblige customer,
they could not really resell p..ture
which had once been ordered 1t was
contrary to their prin nciples.
Come" said Poulett, that's all tallsi
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 strolsed his chin again.
"Well-if it's possible thing to i'm
port in time another for old Eliassen. +"
"How soon does he want it?"
by the third Of February, without
fail"
VERY singular" said Mr.. Poulett
My customer named the same day.
say, Jackington, must have it ut any
price. Come! I'll give you seventy
five down for the picture, possession to
to be given at once"
And Mr. Jackington closed the bar.
gain. The picture, neatly packed, was
delivered to Mr.. Poulett, who iInmcdi-
ately informed his fair client that the
"Ophelia" could not be bought for less
than hundred
"A hundred dollars? Oh myw said
Mrs Clever. "a hundred dollars for a
mere engraving"
But such an engraving, ma'am,"
bowed Mr.. Poulett "Ope of the finest
specimens of art in the country. It
will be gem, a perfect gem"
WELL" said Mrs. Clever, reclSlessly,
"I'll take it Not that / 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."
"Mentoni's copy is sold," said he;
'for hundred dollars"
"Soldl Oh, hang it!' bawled Clever.
"But there's one thing. whoever paid q
hundred dollars for that thing was a
full-sized fool"
II could import one like it for the
same money" said Eliassen. watching
his customers face.
Gould you, though? By the third of
February?"
~ guessh sho!''
import it then! I'll not be ballsed,"
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,
it must be on the spot by the third OF
February, or not red cent do you
gct!"
'There shall be no mishtalse, nodded
Ezra Eliassen.
The third of February came; and
Mrs. Clever radiantly awaited her
husbands appearance in the breakfast
room, with 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-dayl
Accept this memento of love"
And she gave him brown paper par
eel Number One.
Hello" said Mr.. Clever. "And I've
got something for you, Maria" hand
ing her brown paper parcel Number
Two.
"Oh, thousand thanks!" sighed
Maria
"Much obliged, I'm sure" said Mr..
Clever. And they both went to work
with scissors and penlsnife at the twine
and paper. And out of both wrappings
emerged - the same fair, floating
"Ophelia," in the same CLASSY stream,
with the same blue-aags blossoming
along it's edge.
Mr.. and Mrs Clever looked at each
other, and then at the "Ophelias.
II meant to surprise you. love-"
gasped Mrs. Clever. 'And you've
thought of the very same thing. How
kind of you'll"
"By Jove, am surprised" said Mr..
Clever, blankly. 1.-TWO of 'eml And
each one uglier than the other!"
Mrs. Clever began to cry. Mr.. Clever
put his hands in his pockets and
whistlcd. And just then in hustled
Uncle Chipley, who always breakfasted
with them on their anniversary day.
Halo" said Uncle Chipley, who
was rather dabster at the fine arts.
"Donnavetti's 'Ophelia,' eh? But you've
got two of 'em. A bargain, eh? Or at
auction?"