The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-23
TOUCHED A SECRET SPRING
The Accidental Discovery of n Man Who
bought Old Desk

iOOSHEO SECREI SPRING
The Accidental Discovery of n Man Who
bought an Old Desk
From the San Francisco Call.
Henry ]. Croker is being gazed upon
with envious eyes just now by Maurice
Casey and Harry Lamberton. These
three gentlemen occupy the same Office
at sos California street. and have a
similar love for that which is artistic
and unique. This made them all desire
the possession of a unique brass-bound
writing desk. which Crocker succeeded
in winning. and in which he has Just
found treasures.
The writing desk was offered them
by a dealer i'm curios named Belasco.
Belasco. IL will be remembered, a fort
night ago bought some old boxes which
once belonged TO Conley Leach. He
paid $1,000 for them, and found among
the other contents old coins and rare
stamps to the value of $500. He had
come to sell Mr.. Croker some of these
stamps when he began telling about
the writing desk.
The next day he brought the desk
up. Its age was apparent. 1t was
made OF rosewood, was bound heavily
with brass. and was prettily inlaid with
the same metal. Substantial brazen
handles sunk in brass shields showed
that the desk was not a mere ornament.
but was intended for travelling. This
fact was attested also by the capricious
interior, which was divided off into
smaller compartments by shelves of
sandal wood
The workmanship shown in the
chest and its oddness made each man
DESTROYS to become the owner. None
wished to put up the entire cost, how
ever, so, after they had lowered the
n1a..t q
contributed S.50, and the ownership
of the desk was left to the arbitrament
of fate.
1t was suggested first that they throw
dice for 1t. Nobody had any dice, so
Mr.. Croker borrowed three 50-cent
pieces from the janftor OF the building
Then they matched" The old man
was to take the desk.
At the word the three put down their
coins. When Casey removed his palm
the money showed tails. Mr.. Crocker's
coin was heads. Mr.. Lamberton's coin
was still concealed. When he withdrew
his hand a tail was exhibited. making
Mr.. Croker winner.
That evening Mr. Croker prepared
to take his prize home. Casey at once
protested.
You don't know anything about that
desk" he said. 1T might give your
whole family smallpox or something
else that's dereadful. You'd better get
the old thing disinfected before you
take it over to your house"
Then he smiled in a superior way.
and told how glad he was he hadn't
won the desk. AS the days passed. and
the antique bit of furniture still re-
NAMED in the Office, Mr.. Casey grew 10
be quite chatter. The result was that
the writing desk was a matter of con-
slant thought, and Monday afternoon.
spurred on by Mr.. Casey's chatting,
Mr.. Croker looked II over thoroughly
TO see If he could not convert IL TO some
use about the office. since he could not
take IL home
The desk was a strong one. and with
the cubbies removed, would make an
attractive receptacle for papers. While
Mr.. Croker was examining it's interior
to see how II could be altered, his finger
touched a hidden spring. A panel i'm
the side of the desk at once fell out,
revealing three small drawers.
His cry of establishment at once
brought Casey and Lamberton to his
side. Their chatting all died away as
the first drawer showed two $50 bills
issued nearly so years ago. but I'M
doubtedly genuine. The second drawer
contained an old-fashioned gold watch
curiously carved, and a daguerrotype
on the back of which was an almost
obliterated inscription. Some earrings
OF ancient pattern and a finger ring
beautifully chased rested on cotton bat
ting in the third drawer.
The jewelry was so curious and the
hiding place so deftly fashioned that
the spectators were dumb with aston
ishment. When they regained their
tongues they overwhelmed Mr. Crocker
with congratulations. Casey admitted
that there wasn't so much of Josh"
on Croker afted all
What will Belasco say"
But Belasco didn't say a thing As
soon as he heard that he dropped down
from 81 TO $3.50 on lot" consisting of
two $50 bills and some valuable jewelry
he made a bee line for his store Word
came from the neighbors that the curio
dealer was carefully prying out the en-
tire interior Of all the many desks,
chests and boxes in his possession
There were no reports OF his having
found anything.
Mr.. Crocker is looking for more
brass-bound rosewood desks with hid
den springs.