The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-03-11

we h0d one? responded the clerk,
but it's just been ordered"
'Ordered?"
Eyes. By old Eliassen"
"How much did he give you?" ques,
toned Poulett
Twenty dollars"
Put him off, can you? I'll give
thirty"
Well" said the clerk, dubiously
stroking his chin, ''l'll try aud see
what can be done; but Eliassen's a
cT'usty fellow to deal with. can write
him note, though, and say old Men
toni himself had sold the picture with
ont my knowledge"
Eliassen trudged around that same
evening, in rage, and babe still higher,
so that NJ. Mentoni's veracious clerk
gravely informed Mr.. Poulett that,
though sorry to disoblige a customer,
they could not really resell p.ture
which had once been ordered 1t was
contrary to their principles.
Come" said Poulctt, that's all talki
II 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 strokcd his chin again.
"Well-if it's possible thing to i'm
port in time another for old Elassen. ="
How soon does he want it?"
| h. - - n
fail"
Very singular said Mr.. Poulett
MY customer named the same day. /
say, Jackington, | must have it at 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 my!" said
Mrs. Clever. "a hundred dollars for a
mere engraving"
But such an engraving, ma'am,"
bowed Mr.. Poulctt Zone of the finest
specimens of art in the country. 1t
will be gem, perfect gem"
Well" said Mrs. Clever, reclle sly,
"I'll take it Not that | should ever
care to look at it twicc-but it's Clev-
er's taste"
Old Ezra Eliassen shook his head.
when Mr.. Clever came around the next
day to see if ne had purchased the
"Ophelia."
"Mentoni's copy is sold," said he;
'for hundred dollars"
Sold! Oh, hang it," bawled Clever.
But there's one thing. whoever paid Q
hundred dollars for that thing was
full-sized fool"
Il could import one like it for the
same money" said Eliassen. watching
his customers face.
Gould you, though? By the third of
February"
81 guessh shor'
Import it thenl I'll not be baked"
said Mr.. Clever, bringing his clenchcd
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 a red cent do you
get!'
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 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 Mum Der
Two.
"Oh, Thousand thanlSs!" sighed
Maria
much obliged, I'm sure" said Mr.
Clever And they both went to work
with scissors and penlxnife at the Irvine
and paper And out of both wrappings
emerged - the same fair, floating
"Ophelia,," in the sane CLASSY stream,
with the same blue-hags blossoming
along its edge.
Mr. and Mrs. Clever looked at each
other, and then at the ''Ophelias."
u meant to surprise Won, love-"
gasped Mrs Clever. And you've
thought of the very same thing How
kind of your'
BY Jove, | an surprised" said Mr.
Clever, blankly. 1.-TWO of emil And
each one uglicr than the otherr'
Mrs. Clever began to cry Mr. Clever
put his hands in his pockets and
whistled- And just then in hustled
Uncle Chipley, who always brealfasted
with them on their anniversary day.
'Hailo!" said Uncle Chipley. who
was rather a dabster at the fine arts.
'Donnavetti's 'Ophelia,' eh? But you've
got two Of EN- A bargain. eh? Or at
auction"
II gave a hundred dollars for mine"
whispered Mrs. Clever
And | gave a hundred for mine!"
exclaimed he- husband. dragging saw
agcly at his mlsuacne.