Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-05-12
A BIDDING RIVALRY.
AN INCIDENT OF AN AUCTION OF OLD
CHINA AND BRiC-A-BRAC.

ccr-Hsrd to Tell Which Felt Worse
When 1t Was All Over.
1t was the third day of an auction
| sale CT the china, bric-a-brac and furri-
ture of tho last representative Of an old
New York family, and the auction room
was crowded to the doors with dealers
! in antiques, connoisseurs. speculators
and people who had just dropped in to
fish up bargain il glass or china if an
| opportunity offered. There Were . large
number Of women present, and they
were principally bargain seekers
| The GuctioEeer 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 fer a time when
the Guctioreer reached Nc. 700 Oh the
catalogue, which was n cup and sau-
Ger OF Sevres china. 1t was a very pret-
ty bit Of Sevres, cleverly decorated and
frail enough to suit the most artistic
fancy. 1t was such a piece as might be
purchased at any fine china or glass
store for So. and it certainly would net
have been reasonable to expect more
than 81 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
| on lu hv a
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 fer such q
trifle. They were well dressed women,
and one was quite young. They sat in
| their seats without word, while q
cloisonnc jardiniere worth 500 was
| knocked down to dealer for $50, and
! they never ventured Il bid on bits of
Worcester, Dresden, Coalport and other
kinds OF chira, which were sold for ii
diculously low prices. But when the s-c-
| tioneer wesrily remarked il his profes
sional tcne: what IN offered fer this
cup and saucer? Guarantee goes with
every piece. Gimme bid, please" he
was amazed at two shrill voices which
| OUT
"One dollar"
| The two women peercd acrCs9 at one
another.
Then the younger said in emphatic
| tone:
"a dollar and half.
The Guctiouecr took in the situation.
What more could an auctioneer want?
| Two women pitted against each other.
! Sleepy Il moment before, he was all life
now
"A half 1norer' he exclaimed scorn-
fully. Really this is ridiculous. can
! not take less than dollar bids
| 1.-TWO dollars" said the older WON
| an.
Three" said the other woman.
The women sized each other up again
while the auctiCneer exhorted.
"I'll fix her now," said the older
woman TO friend. Five dollars" "
| six" said the younger one.
"Why, the spiteful thing! l don't
| believe she wants that cup at all. Well,
she just sha'n't 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 80.
while the auctioneer nearly fell off his
chair. Every head in the room turned
with the bid to tho older woman.
Don't you bid another cent" said
her friend.
IN just make this one bid. She
doesn't want that cup. It's just spite.
but I'll do her up DOW. Ten dollars. " she
! exclaimed, and with q triumphant emile
| she glanced across the ICom.
That smile was too much for the other
woman. 1t made her more determined.
"Oh, she needn't think I'm afraid of
a couple of dollars" she remarked in
husky whisper to the pale faced man
who had come with her 10 the auction
and had been trying 10 get low enough
| in his seat to be out of sight Of the eyes
focused On his companion at every 9th
er bid
Let her have it," said tine man. at
isn't worth the money"
LET her have it? Well, guess not
Do you think I'll let her beat me like
that? Eleven dollars" III shaky voice.
but with "a sweet smile.
"Fino piece. Very fine Sevres. Worth
big money" chanted the auctioneer.
"Well, ! never!'' exclaimed the older
worian. 'Of all the impudcnce ever
heard Of! Oh. I'll i:x her nowr'
LET her have il" urged her friend.
Cora Stona. 90 yor mean to tell me
you mean that: Would you have me
give il to that doll faced child? I'll
show yea how I'll give up 70 her. Fiji
teen dollars"
This wGs = etagGe:er. The young
woman locked troubled. She raised the
bid half, and the auctioneer tool, il,
becalse ho saw tie end WAS Rear. a
point had been reached when bida were
cheercd, and the side remarks caused
roaIs OF laughter. Tie l.r:ce reached $I7,
and the bid was the elder wo.naa's
The pale nan Urged his companion not
70 bid, bCt these ciigcrs rang in her
oars. and every eve was upon her.
"And half" she said
Then take ii, you spiteful thing"
suddenly yelled the older woman, right
ut her ccnrotitor. Ihen she rose t. her
feet. Come, Cora; 1 shan't stay in
such place another moment" And she
fiouEced ou,, followed by Cora
The younger woman looked badly
ratified. She handed out $3.50 to the
cle,k and took the cup and saucer.
Then she went ont, looking very much
embarrassed over the affair and wonder
ing, probably, what had ever made her
pay such a price for such thing. New
Yora sun.