The morning call., 1892-02-05
A GENUINE CREM0NA.
Singular Discovery in a Third
Street PaWn-ShOp.
a Colorsd Mans Violin Proves 90 Be q strsdi-
vaTius 1t Changes Hands FOR
Trfs-sold for $1,000

One cold, dTeary night during tie winter
Of 1ss39J, an, old c0Lored man, whose
slruuken figure. lettering steps and hack
ing cough told a story Of suffering and pri-
yatoD r0bbled into Thrd-street shop on
whose old-fash0ued WindOW-fr0nt three
nails were rudely painted-the mystic sign
CT tie moueyleuder.
Approaching the counter, behind which
were seated the proprietor and his wife, the
cid man drew from under the tatteTed rags
which covered him violin.
Ii was his only possession he said. Then
he explained that since the cruel cough
which now shook his frame took hold Of
linn and prevented his picking up tie odd
jobs by which he had formerly managed to
exc our a living till then, he had disposed,
one Is one. Of his WORKOUT tools, his bits Of
broken furniture and his clothes, to obtain
brief respite from the hunger which was
gaawIug his very vitals Only the violin
remained; would the master give him few
dollars on it?
4 MATTER OF BUSINESS.
Used to such appeals, the money-lender
took the preferred article and began 10
scrutiuZe IL. Like its owner, it had seen
better DAYS. There were some traces Of
elegance about the fddle-head but the
body Of the instrument. blackeued with age,
gave evidence Of hard usage, and the strings
We're In t7Uge. il would tempt but few
as an Investment, but when the borrower
told its history. how he mad played on 10
down uu the Old plantation, and when war
had lad the masters house IN ruins, lie had
saved D. from the wreck and kept 10 ever
since, the broker trusting this time IN
E1mau nature, offered 70 lend the applicant
just 81 30.
BE wanted more, but finding it useless TO
ask It kissed the old favOrite a farewell.
dropped a few 5Caid.ng tears on the accepted
coin, drew his ragged garments together
and Stuffed out into the desOlate night.
The paWDbr0ker never saw the old man
after, 50 in dae course the violin made its
Way into his showcase, with a few cheap
strings stretched on IL, and a card Offering it
for sale for the amount loaned with in
tere-t. There lt knocked around till the
close If the past summer, when the Italian
pastry cook Of the Palace Hotel became its
owner by payment OF 81
DISCOVERED ITS MERIT.
With his quick ear he discovered some
hidden merit about his purchase, and as his
position al chef enabled him 20 crafty his
Wins he entrusted the instrument 10 a
friend on Market ard Castro streets for
some necessary repaiTs Much to his salts
faction his friend announced he had a
treasure but when he explained that the
treasure was a Stradvarlus the cook nearly
tainted H ith surprise.
a Thorough investigation left no doubt
about Tie discovery, and when tie pastry
cook returned 20 his duties the story Of his
luck soon spread through the hotel Some
days later q note was put in his hand, and
on responding TO the request for personal
interview which 10 contained, ke was con-
lrOuted by gentleman who expressed de-
sire 90 become a purchaser Of the Instru-
meut. at his request It was brought
forward, submitted to tie inspection Of IN
expert ana pronounced genuine.
IueIeupon the violin again changed hands,
this time falling into the keeping OF an Off
cIal high in the Nevada Bank, while the
pastry cook went off happy in the possession
Of $1,000, The result Of his lucky investment