Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1896-01-30
A TRICK IN vIOLINS.
Comedy Played by a Poor Musician, Con-
noisseur and a Pawnbroker.

Comedy Played by a Poor Musician, Con-
noisseur and a Pawnbroker.
de was evidently musician, and car
ried violin in black silesia bag. The
Bowery pawnbroker, as he saw him en-
ter, said to himself: "Ah, here's poor
devil of player. forced to pledge the
only thing that gives him livelihood,
poor, though it be-"
Let me have twodollars and a half on
this, please" said the man, regretfully,
as he carefully drew the violin cut of
its covering. 81 just want enough TO
tide me over a day or so, until get
remittance. Unless l knew l could re-
deem il at once, would never trust it
out of my hands, for il is not only my
sole means of existence, but, as you viii
observe, it is a very valuable instru-
ment."
The pawnbroker handed out the
money, and almost regretted that the
loan was so small. AS he was going
out, the man turned back and said:
by the way. wish you would not put
this violin aside with lot of odds and
ends. 1t is too valuable to take any
risk with. Besides, / will surely be
back in day or So"
A few days later an elderly man came
in and asked to see some opera-glasses.
AS he was looking over the stock his
eve lighted on the violin, hanging on
the wall.
LET me see that instrument, If you
please he said. He looked at il crit
ically, and then a delighted expression
overspread his face
"Just what / have been seeking for
years." he exclaimed. making no at
tempt to conceal his enthusiasm. "You
see, / am a connoisseur, one of the vir-
tuosi, as the newspapers love TO term us
Did fellows. l need this violin in my
collection, and III give you forty dol
lars for it," Mine Uncle only shook
his head.
well, III make il fifty dollars"
1T isn't for SALE" replied the pawn
broker.
Say seventy-five. then" By this
time the pawnbroker was deeply inter
ested. He explained how the violin
came into his possession.
IF you'll drop in again in day or so
I'll probably have seen the owner, and
perhaps we may be able to negotiate a
DEAL"
81 hope so.- returned the enthusiast.
"As you will have some trouble in the
matter, I'll raise my offer to an even
hundred. must have that violin"
As soon as he was gone the pawn
broker hurried around 10 see the mu-
rician. The man lived in poorly fur
nished room, evidently in great pow
erty.
'What! Sell ny dear violin?" he ex-
claimed, Indignantly. "No. thousand
times no. I'd rather starve first"
look here, my man." said the pawn
broker; II know just howyou feel about
it, but after all it's merely a question of
sentiment A cheaper instrument will
do in your business. I'll give you fifty
dollars for that violin"
The man hesitated a long while.
Tears came into his eyes and his long.
pale fingers trembled as he told the
story of his struggle with poverty, but
he took the money.
A week passed and the wealthy con-
noisseur had not put in an appearance.
Mine Uncle began 10 grow nervous. He
took the violin down from the nail and
carried it uptown to show to an expert.
II can't give you the exact market
value of it," said the violin sharp. after
I. boSfv GLANCE "You see I don't ham
die this quality of goods, but violins of
this kind are worth about fifteen dol
lars a dozen."-N. Y. World.