The Bossier banner., 1892-05-12

newspapers he was paying-teller in an
uptown bank.
Il don't care what it COSTS said
Mrs. Clever.
Sixty dollars at least" said Mr.
Poulett, whose conscience was less
elastic than that of old Eliassen
| Then let it be secured at once"
said Mrs Clever. 1T will take the
whole of my months allowance, but
the grocer and baker and other trades
people will all trust me, Iknow"
So Mr. Poulett wended after bank
ing hours to Mentoni's
'Can you get that proof of Donnavet-
it's Ophelia?'" said he.
| 1--WE had one?" responded the clerk,
"but it's just been ordered"
| ''Ordered?''
'Yes. 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, obviously
stroking his chin, ''l'll try aud see
what can be done; but Eliassen's
crusty fellow to deal with. l can write
him note, though, and say old Men
toni himself had sold the picture with
out my knowledge"
Eliassen trudged around that same
evening, in rage, md bade still higher.
SO that NJ. Mentoni's veracious clerk
gravely informed Mr.. Poulett that,
though sorry to disoblige customer,
they could not really resell picture
which had once been ordered 1t was
contrary to their principles.
Come" said Poulett, that's all talk
If give you forty dollars for it.
Quite ont 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 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, l 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 immedi-
ately informed his fair client that the
, 'Ophelia" could not be bought for less
than hundred.
I "A hundred dollars? Oh my!'' said
+ Mrs. Clever. "a hundred dollars for a
mere engraving"
But such an engraving, ma'am,' "
y bowed Mr. Poulett. Zone of the finest
specimens of art in the country. II
K will be gem. perfect gem"
Well" said Mrs. Clever, recklessly
b an take it. Not that l should eve,
e care to look at it twice-but it's Clev
t er's taste"
e Old Ezra Eliassen shook his head
when Mr. Clever came around the next
: day to see if he had purchased the
"Ophelia."
a 'Mentoni's copy is sold," said he
l. 'for hundred dollars!"
"Sold! Oh, hang it," bawled Clever
;, but there's one thing, whoever paid {
hundred dollars for that thing was z;
d full-sized fool"
Il could import one like it for thu
:, same money" said Eliassen. watching
Il his customers face.
e Gould you, though? BY the third o
= February"
81 guessh sho!'
| - ~ ,r4 h lo1ly a6
= said Mr.. Clever, bringing his clenchet
> hand down on the rail of old Eliassen'
Y desk. Its more than can afford ant
three times what the thing is worth
+ but Maria likes it, and Maria shall b.
?. suited for once in her life. But mind
l. it must be on the spot by the third o
t. February, or not red cent do yo'
d get!'
There shall be no mishtake, nodded
d Ezra Eliassen.
le The third of February came; AM
IS Mrs Clever radiantly awaited he
E. husbands appearance in the breakfast
If room, with a brown paper package all
le twined and sealed on the table. Enter
n Mr.. Clever with ditto package unde
his arm.
,r Dearest" said Maria, this is til
S. tenth anniversary of our bridal-day
ID Accept this memento of love. -
h And she gave him brown paper PAL
N eel Number One.
s. "Hellor' said Mr.. Clever. And Iv
ID got something for you, Maria" hand
ing her brown paper parcel Numbe
ID Two.
o. 'Oh, a thousand thanks!" sighe
1t Maria
re Much obliged. I'm sure" said MI
in Clever. And they both went to worl
with scissors and penknife at the twin
r, and paper And out of both wrapping
he emerged = the same fair, fioatin
'tOphelia, in the same CLASSY stream
r. with the same blue-fags. blossomin
IN along its edge. .....-..x .x
st Mr.. and Mrs. Clever looked at eac
other, and then at the ''Opheiias."
ul II meant to surprise you, love,
is gasped Mrs. Clever "And you'y