The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-09-14


.So\N Ks who keeps the vertu
SM shop on Wardour
AK\A street. L had sew
% wye eral holidays on hand
and knew of no more delightful way
of spending an idle hour than in look
ing over old Azral's collection of vertu.
which had great fascination for me-
The old man, who had taken quite n
fancy to me--probably because could
appreciate his love for the bizarre and
antique-and who even became quite
chatty at times, was venerable He
brew who boosted descent from David.
Contrary to the traditional character
1stlcs of his race, he was frank and
> open-handed I had found him even
generous.
A line old fellow he was, tall, males
tic, with n long white beard sweeping
his breast; stately and slow in speech.
polite, but not bringing, with that
self-respecting courtesy which Dickens
gives us in Riah, the ''Godmother. I
cannot say why, but he was my mind
picture of Aaron-he had a sort of
silent eloquence about him. Without
kith or kin, he lived in the love of his
relics, his children he called them
And rare aud exquisite, but decided
ly . yersified, family he had.
The shop, which was wedged in be-
tween jewelers. on one hand and n
secondhand book-dealer's on the
other, was narrow and low, but ex-
tende | back some distance. On
shelves in the walls, on tables, in
drawers were spread the objects of his
passion III the most enchanting disre-
gard for the conventional modes of ar
fangement. Here shelf of old
Dutch faience showed stout burgomas-
ters IN blue aud yellow. Next was n
shelf from which cleaned arms and
cutlery, swords, real Damascus blades.
OF SO magnificent temper as to admit
OF being bent in circle Here was n
bureau drawer full of exquisite ivory
carvings, crucifiXes and amulets of rich
and varied workmanship side by side
W. n dlminutive Persian narghiles and
squat Chinese josses. In the next was
agate from Japanese lapidaria. along
with wood fretwork from Geneva and
Jet from Cornwall. Here hung paint
ing OF Cimabue, here one of Guido.
there one of BENJAMIN West.
10 examine such curiosity sbop
was my delight, and l often resorted
there. He had lately bought n stock
OF Moorish jewelry, and asked me TO
examine it, / eagerly complied. and
while looking it over saw n curious
breastpin that Immediately attracted
my attention. A delicate little golden
heart held together two swords crossed
Tho swords were each about three
inches long, one n Scotch claymore of
pure green gold, the bask ethilt of the
most beautiful lace-like arabesoue
tracery of gold interviewer with silver.
AT the end of the handle sparkled n
tiny topaz, scintilating like an impris-
oned sunbeam. The other was mn
Eastern similar, with broad. slightly
curving blade and au edge of some
white metal, possibly silver. At the
cross-piece of the handle there was q
ruby, and at each end Of the cross
piece q diamond of the purest water.
The heart bore two inscriptions. one
in Arabic and one in Latin.
The Latin was "Gladii duo, cor
unum." The whole thing had n rich
exotic look about it that stimulated
my curiosity I asked my venerable
friend if might buy it,
Ono he said slowly ono. that is
not for sale; but if you like it I will
tell you it's history.
] replied that nothing would please
me better.
THAT breastpin," said he, els q
trust confided 60 me. Last ycar 7 wa,
in the Holy Land with my mother, in
Jerusalem. Once ON journey TO visit
my kinsman, Javau, ut Damascus.
came upon poor Turk half dead b,
the wayside He had been attacked
and beaten by robbers so that he wa,
dying | got of my beast, aud wenf
to him aud tried TO lift him up. RI,
attempted 60 speak Bending close.
caught the question in Arabic.
Art thou jew
q am
" = had some faint hope that tho,
vert a Christian, European, per
chance an Euglishman.
- i live IN England, in London.
said.
Tine dying man claspcd his hands
Allah IS good he whispered. ID,
thou life my head up. ] have trust
4 will confdo it to thee. Here bi
breath came thick and ] could scarcel,
hear the words My father mad,
me promise TO get this -Jame
~llod Thurs by -- lie if-nov
by the beard Of the Prophet, will tel
thee, he cried, starting up IL is
but the spark Of life was almost out
" Aickefed, aud no had only strength
r. put his hand into his bosom an,