The Press., 1897-10-07
4 BIDDING RIVALRY.
AN INCIDENT OF AN AUCTION OF OLD
 CHINA AND BRlC-A-BRAC.

CHINA AND BRlC-A-eRAC. What Happened When Two Women Each Determined to Have @5 Cup and Saul cer-Hard to Tell Which Felt Worse When 1t Was All Over.
 It was the third day of an auction sale of the china, bric-a~ brac and furni- ture of the last representative of an old New York family, and the auction room was crowded to the doors with dealers i'll antiques, connoisseurs, speculators and people who had just dropped ill to fish up bargain in glass or china if an opportunity offered. There were a large number of women present, and they were principally bargain seekers.
 The auctioneer seemed used to such crowds and continued to call out the bids monotonously despite the amusing situation that arose every time he reached an article which one of the women had marked to buy for herself. Things had been quiet for a time when the auctioneer reached No. 706 on the catalogue, which was a cup and saul cer of Sevres china. It was a very pret- ty bit of Sevres, cleverly decorated and frail enough to suit the most artistic fancy. It was such a piece as might be purchased at any fine china or glass store for $5, and it certainly would not have been reasonable to expect more than $4 for it at auction sale The auc- tioneer didn't expect more, and under ordinary circumstances he wouldn't have got so much, but these were not ordinary circumstances. It happened that two bargain seeking women had marked that cup and saucer for them selves. They were only separated by dozen seats and an aisle through the maze of camp stools, and, of course, neither had any notion that she would have very much competition for such a trife. They were well dressed women, and one was quite young. They sat in their seats without a word, while a cloisonne jardiniere worth $100 was knocked down to a dealer for SEQ, and they never ventured a bid on bits of Worcester, Dresden, Coalport and other kinds of china, which were sold for ri- dicu1ously low prices. But when the auc- tioneer wearily remarked in his profes- sional tone: "What m offered for this cup and saucer? Guarantee goes with every piece. Gimme bid, please" he W as amazed at two shrill voices which called out simultaneously:
 "One dollar.
 The two women peered across at one another.
 Then the younger said in emphatic tone:
 "A dollar and half "
 The auctioneer took in the situation. What more could an auctioneer want? Two women pitted against each other. Sleepy Q moment before, he was all life now.
 "A half moreP' he exclaimed scorn- fully. Really this is ridiculous. can not take less than dollar bids.
 1.-TWO dollars, " said the older wom- an.
 "Three," said the other woman.
 The women sized each other up again while the auctioneer exhorted.
 "I'll fix her now," said the older woman to friend. Five dollars.
 'Six," Y" said the younger one.
 "Why, the spiteful thingl I don't believe she wants that cup at all. We'll, she just sha mt have it. Seven dollars.
 This time the younger woman hesi- tated. Every eye was on her, for the whole crowd was interested She pressed her lips together, and, assuming an in- | different expression, made the bid $8, while the auctioneer nearly fell off his chair Every head in the room turned with the bid to the older woman.
 Don't you bid another cent" said her friend.
 "I'll just make this one bid. She doesn't want that cup. It's just spite, but I'll do her up now. Ten dollars, ' she exclaimed, and with a triumphant smile she glanced across the room.
 That smile was too much for the other woman. It made her more determined. "Oh, she needn't think I'm afraid of couple of dollars, <" she remarked in a husky whisper to the pale faced man who had come with her to the auction and had been trying to get low enough | in his seat to be out of sight of the eyes focused on his companion at every oth- CT bid.
 ''Let her have it, said the man. "It isn't worth the money"
 "Let her have it? We'll, guess not. Do you think I'll let her beat me like that? Eleven dollars, 7" Tn shaky voice, but with a sweet smile.
 ''Fine piece. Very fine Sevres. Worth big money" chanted the auctioneer.
 Well, neverl" exclaimed the older woman. "Of all the impudence I ever heard of Oh, I'll fix her nowl"
 "Let her have it, Y" urged her friend. Cora Stone, do you mean to tell me you mean that? Would you have me give in to that doll faced child? I'll show you how I'll give up to her. Eff teen dollars D
 This was 8 staggerer. The young woman looked troubled. She raised the bid a half, and the auctioneer took it, because he saw the end was near. A point had been reached when bids were cheered, and the side remarks caused roars of laughter. The price reached $17, and the bid was the older woman s. The pale man urged his companion not to bid, but those cheers rang in hel ears, and every eye was upon her.
 And half," she said.
 "Then take it, you spiteful thing suddenly yelled the older woman, right at her competitor Then she rose to he1 feet. Come, Coral shan't stay il such place another moment" And she flounced out, followed by Cora.
 The younger woman looked badly rattled She handed out $l7.50 to the clerk and took the cup and saucer.