The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-05-14

| we nd0 Oncf responded the clcrks
but it's Just been ordered"
| ''Ordered?"
yes BY old Eliassen."
How much did he give your" ques.
toned Poulett
Twenty dollars"
Put him off. can you? I'll give
thirty"
WELL" said the clerk. obviously
stroking his chin. IN try aud see
what can be done; but Eliassen's q
crusty fellow to deal with. 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, and babe still higher.
so-that M. Mentoni's veracious clerk
graveIy informed Mr.. Poulett that,
though sorry to disoblige a customer.
they could not really resell picture
which had once been ordered 1t was
contrary to their principles.
Come" said Poulett, ''that's oil 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 in.
port in time another for old Eliassen. +"
"How soon does he want it?"
"By the third of February, without
fall
VERY singular" said Mr.. Poulett
my customer named the same day.
say, Jackington, must have 1t at any
price. Comet 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
''Ophclia" 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.. Poulett 'ODe Of the finest
specimens Of art in the country. It
will be gem, a perfect gem"
WELL" said Mrs. Clever. recklessly,
"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 dollarsr
''Soldl Oh. hang it!' bawled Clever.
But there's one thing, whoever paid
hundred dollars for that thing was a
full-sized fool"
II could import one like it for the
same money" said Eliasscn. watching
his customers face.
Gould you, though? BY the third of
February"
II guessh shor'
import it theni I'll not be balked,"
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, or not q red cent do you
get!"
There shall be no mishtake," nodded
Ezra Eliassen.
The third of February came; and
Mrs. Clever radiantiy 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-dayi
Accept this memento of love-"
And she gave him brown paper par
eel Number One.
"Hcllo" said Mr.. Clever. "And I've
got something for you, Maria" hand
ing her brown paper parcel Number
Two.
''Oh, Thousand thanksr 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-flags poisoning
along its 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 your
by Jove, | am surprisedr' said Mr.
Clever, blankly. 1.-TWO of 'eml And
each one uglier than the othcr!'
Mrs. Clever began to cry. Mr.. Clever
put his hands in his pockets and
whistled. And just then in hustled
Uncle Chipley, who always breakfasted
with them on their anniversary day
"Hallo!" said Uncle Chipley, who