The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-28
AN AUCTION FINANCIER.
INTRICATE OPERATIONS CARRIED
OUT By A WOMAN.

Purchase and sale or y Variety or Articles
Under Dinerent Conditions - Question
or Front or Lsss at the Conclusion.
A hundred women were bending forward
eagerly, watching with sparkling eyes. Tho
auctionocr was shouting himself red in the face.
"Twonty-seven ifty ! twenty seven nfty I am
offered for these beautiful parlor ornaments I
Worth seventy-ave in any store to-day T. no
cried. Who'll bid thirty 2 Going, going"
"Twenty-cight T. cried tho heroine of the
story, carried away by tho excitement
"Gono T. cried tho auctionoer, and with q rap
OF his hammer knocked the clock and the
oandelabra down to her.
Then to her dlsmay sho membored that abe
had little money with her. She opened her pock-
etbook and found therein only a dollar bill and
some silver. making In all $2.15.
That's all right, maam." said tho auction
GERS clerk when the situation had been OK
planned to him. you pay down 81 deposit and
como around any day this week and pay the
balance and we'll hold the goods for you.'
SO she paid 80 deposit on her bargain with q
glowing heart, spent ten cents for Ice cream
soda water, and used the remaining nickel to
take her home. Arriving there she made q hur>
ried inspection Of her house, and received q 30
we're shock from the discovery that forced itself
upon her.
"Iactually haven't o place where I can put
my beautiful clock and candelabra, and they're
30 ~lovelyi" she exclaimed, almost with tears in
her eyes.
80 = remarked her husband, with no mani
festation Of surprise at all.
"What shall l do z she moaned.
"You really didn't expect to do anything with
them. did you q continued her husband.
Isn't 1t dreadful" she said, looking around
tho room appealingly at the various shelves
and and pieces of furniture. II
always told you the house ought to BIO arranged
differently"
mot a bit of 1t dreadful" returned the hus.
band, stoutly. IF you only knew 1t, you're in
the biggest kin OF luck"
Am II" she asked, her face Frightening.
"well. I should gay 3d." replied her husband.
you're in about $26."
will somebody give mo see moro for them
than I paid T. she asked in startled delight.
II guess not" said her husband with grim de-
cision. You won't have to take them now, and
so you'll save $685."
but how about the Sc I've paid already r.
she asked contentedly. "Will the auctioneer
give It back to mef
Nc likelyl' returned the husband; but it's
better to lose 80 than $2s."
"Ill see about that" she said with indignant
determination. and the next day went around to
the auction and told the auctioneert that she had
bought the by mistake and wanted
her money back. and produced q friend to back
up both assertions.
VERY sorry, ma'am," said the auctioneer,
'but we're not allowed to give back any money.
But I'll tell you what I'll do. IN put the So to
your credit and you can buy something else
with it."
"Hmm!" said the woman, doubtfully.
Isn't that Just lovely!" exclaimed the friead,
without any doubts. Its like not having to
pay anything for what you buy"
why SO it is" exclaimed the woman In TO
turn, as light broke upon her.
"Now, ladies and gents" pleaded the auo-
tioneer, with tears In his voice, won't some
body please bid IS TO start this magnificent mat
tressl How much am l bid. m / bid, m I bid :
Just somebody start 1t at SIS, ladies and gents!"
Twenty-Five cents!' said the woman, hesi-
t~atingly.
"Gone!" cried the auctioneer promptly.
"Why on earth did you do thatf' remon-
strated the friend in a whisper.
what can you do with that mattress I"
But it doesn't cost me anything" replied the
woman. 1t comes out OF the S."
Five cents am I offered for this splendid copy
of Victor Hugo r. shouted the auctioneer. do
hear tenl Go to any secondhand book store
magnificent volume. Five cents! FL cen! FL
ldht IL Qulth anu btll u " u u-Dhiil
whispered the friend.
"Do | hear ten r. shouted the auctionee-.
Twenty !" shouted the wonian, and got tho
bcok: 49,. - ~
ma'am. said the auctioneer's clerk as he handed
her purchases over to her. VIII you take them
with youf I"
the woman sadly as she eyed its bulk. $50.
II carry II home for you for a quarter II It
ing there. and tho bargain being closed they
set out, the two women in front and the ragged
man following with the mattress in a roll on his
They passed a secondhand furniture store.
The heroine OF the story stopped short as an
'"Loot at, that umbrella holder =" she ,ex.
claimed. Isn't it beautiful. It's JUS, what
1--WE got an idea i" exciaimsd her friend. in
turn. perhaps the furniture dealer would
swap it for the mattress"
tions. Although the furniture dealer was some
what unreasonable. intractable. and unimagina-
they turned over the mattress to him. paid
him 9 .sO to boot, dismissed their ragged at
holder. Then they resumed their journey home.
This book Is horribly bulky and heayy,. said
What Az dollars = asked the woman,
But do 1 want to sell itf' asked the woman.
"0f course you do" her friend answered,
briskly. Its no good to you; and, anyhow,
isn't II better to have IS than to carry this great
heavy thing about with you =
."Ye.es," replied the woman. still In doubt, and
they entered the book store.
The proprietor came toward them. He was q
dirty old man, with dreary, faded eyes, and a
dreary, faded manner.
Tell him you've got a lot moro books to sell
and he'll offer. you a better price" whispered
the friend as the proprietor advanced. .
The woman did 30 and the proprietor turned
the volume over and over uuintereBteuly,
Where are the other books = be asked finally.
AT my house. OF course replied the woman.
give me your address and I'll CONF round
and make you an offer for the lot, he said.
with h,Ightincss. Then, II ! see that you pay
fair prices, l will sell you the others,
II don't care to buy them singly," was tho
crushing reply delivered by the proprietor as he
turned and walked away into the gloomy depths
of his shop.
THE old chent!" exclaimed the woman under
her breath AS she walked out.
Haven't you a lot OF old books that you don't
care for g. asked her friend. You must have a
lot that you can soil him."
"Why, yes" said the woman, stopping, and