Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-18

works yet to settle a few matters Of bust
ness.
Bernstein heard them walk out, ant
not before then did he venture to assume
an erect position. Now was his chance
He would profit by the conversation he
had overheard and go down to Bernace al
once. There would be train before 3:3(
O'Clock.
Here, jacques" he called to the
waiter, "a time table quick. How fortu
nate! There is one at 1890, and shall be
first after all, =" and his face assumed ar
unwonted happy expression, while the
waiter stared In amazement, for the old
man had given him sou, the very first.
and tho last too. Something wonderful
has happened" the waiter thought.
Old Bernstein did not lose any more
time, but was soon back at his establish
ment and seated at his desk.
"Ten thousand francs; suppose take
| $4,000. 1t is best to be OH the safe side;
one never knows-and Murillo! Father
| Abraham, what a prizel'' And with evi.
dent satisfaction he packed the notes in
his pockets, picked up q large canvas bag
But, strange to say, the two men whom
no had overheard In the restaurant watch
ed him to his establishment and then saw
him depart by the train, and as soon as he
had started one Of them dispatched tele-
gram to Claude Revers, Bernace.
1t was delivered to that person before
old bernstein had gone half the distance,
while the old dealer sat and looked quite
happy and jubilant-so jubilant that
when he arrived at the little station he
again opened his heart by giving the old
station master, who was porter and every
thing else combined, few SOUS, as he was
SO elated at his prospects. Two minutes
snfiiced to take him to the door of old
Revers' cottage, at which he knocked
quickly, and it was at once opened by an
old man whom he at once guessed was
the person he had come to see
From Paris, and to see me? Truly you
arc welcome, m'sieu. Come inside, pray"
The offer was accepted, the old man
hobbling forward and placing scat for
his visitor.
''And what m'sieu, can be your bust
ness with meS" inquired the old man, fix
Ing his sharp gray eyes OH his visitor.
"Woll my friend, to como to the point
at once, friend of mino who came to see
you the other day has told me of picture
you have and which see hanging there.
Now, he is rather infatuated with that
picture, and although have tried to per-
suade him to the best of my ability said
the old dealer, leaning forward and spread
ing out his hands, palms upward, "ho
will not be gainsaid. The foolish fellow
thinks it will bring him good luck. Did
you ever hear of such frivolous idea?"
and ho gave shrill cackle, but with eyes
fixed eagerly on tho picture.
Then of course your good luck friend
told you the price fixed upon it, which
will tell you was merely to get rid Of
him, as l do not wish to sell it,
Tho old man paused for awhile to get
his breath.
Again, why, m sieu, should sell its
am DID, and although l have not much
left me" glanoing around tho bare look
ing room, my son is very good to mo,
and he also chorishes the one thing that
his old mother was SO fond of, and which
he says must never part with" Here
the old man wept, while Bernstein wiped
his eyes in pretended sympathy. "No,
III 'sieu, can work a little yet" and the
old man Strengthened himself proudly,
land with my sons help we manage to
pay the interest on my little farm, SO why
should sell?" and twirling his mustachs
no glared 1ercely at the old Jew.
Father Abraham" replied Bernstein,
licking his thin lips and trying to speak
as if only for the old mans good, land to
think that an old citizen should have to
work as you do at your time Of life and
for what?-to pay some rascally money
lender-whle I, even I, would be deliv-
erer to you and give you, mark, H., 600
francs, with which you will be able to
pay off your debt with q little to spare
while my friend-foolish fellow think
him-will receive your picture. What say
you, my dear friendF' and he rubbed his
hands unctuously, calling him in his own
mind a pighsaded old fool. But come
what would, ho must have it, he thought
Old Revers shook his head even at 10, 900
francs, which caused Bernstein to turn
sallower hue, grooming at tho peryersity
and wiokedness of this refusal. At last,
calling OIL all the patriarchs to bear wit
ness and counting down OH the table 49,
600 francs, he averred that lie would not
give another franc, not one.
AT the sight of SO much money old Rev
ers at last relented, and with tears in his
eyes lifted down the picture, reverently
kissed 1T, and handing it to the old Jew
sank down in seat by the side of the
money, avorting his eyes from the picture
he thought SO much of. With an intensely
gratfied expression, the new owner care
fully enveloped his treasure in his canvas
bag with great haste
Bon jour, M. Revers," said the old
Jew as he opened the door. But old Rev
ors lay with his head and arms across the
table and made no reply, upon which,
fearful that the old man should repent and
stupidity perhaps ask for it again. he dart
ed from the cottage hugging his purchase,
and In Is minutes was being whirled
back to Paris with the picture.
Could Bernstein have seen old Revers
two minutes after his departure he would
have had fit of apoplexy, for Revers had
now assumed an erect attitude, had
thrown off his old blue linen blouse
and kicking off his sabots stood re-
vealcd as man of about 40, smiling with
the greatest of satisfaction as he packed
into small handbag the $4,000 francs
with false wig and beard. Then, with
bag in hand, he emerged from the rear Of
the COTTAGE which had beon his abiding
place for two days only, and made de-
tour for tho railway station, entering the
rear part OF the train rs it was about to
steam out, while the old Jew sat in an
other compartment hugging his beloved
treasure.
At longth he arrived safe and sound in
his sanctum and laid his purchase before
his wife, who as yet knew nothing of his
errand.
What have you got there, Israeli" was
her inquiry as she peered curiously at the