The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-06-19
A Bidding. 90.
Rivalry.


l of the China, ic-a.brac and furni-
Il ture of the last representative of an
old New York family, and the auction
room was crowded to the doors with dealers
in antiques, connosseurs, spectators and
people who had just dropped in to fish up
a bargain in glass or china if an opportunity
offered There were large number of
women present, and they were principally
bal. ain-seekers.
Tue auctioneer seemed used to such
crowds and continued to call ont the bids
monotonously despite the amusing stue-
tion that arose every time he reached an
article which one of the women had marked
TO buy for herself. Things had been quiet
for time when the auctoneer reached No
7O6 Oh the catalogue which was cup and
saucer of Sevres china. 1t was very pretty
bit of Sevres, clever-decorated and frai
enough to suit the most artistic fancy. 1t
was such piece as might be purchased for
SIS, and it certainly would not have been
reasonable to expect more than 81 for it at
auction sale. The auctioneer didn t expect
more, and under ordinary circumstances he
wouldn't have so much, but these were not
ordinary circumstances. 1t happened that
two bargain-seekng women had marked,
that cup and saucer for themselves. 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 tritle. They were well dressed
women, and one was quite young. They
sat in their seats without word while IA
cloisonne jardiniere worth 500 was
knocked down to dealer for $50, and they
never ventured bid on bits of Worcester,
Dresden. Coalport and other kinds of china.
which were sold for rdicuIousy low prices
But when the auctioneer YEARLY remarked
in his professional tone: "What'm |
offered for this cup aud saucer? Guarantee
goes with every piece. Gimme a bid,
please" he was amazed at two shrill voices
which called out simultaneously:
zone 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 a moment before, he was all life
now.
"a half more!" he exclaimed scornfuly.
''Really this is ridiculous. | cannot take
less than dollar bids"
1.-TWO dollars, " said the older woman.
Three, y said the other woman.
The women sized each other up again
| while the auctioneer eXhorted.
"TIl fix her now said the older woman
to il friend. Give dollars.n
''Six," said the younger one
''Why, the spiteful thing! | don't be
llcre she wants that cupat all. Well, she
just sha n have it, Seven dollars"
This time the younger woman hesitated
Every eye was on her, for the whole crowd
was interested. She pressed her lips to-
gether, and, assuming an Indifferent ex-
preston, made the bid IS, while the auc-
tioneer 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 triumphat smile she glanced
across the room.
That smile was too much for the other
woman. 1t made her more determined.
ooh, she needn't think Pm afraid of
couple of dollars, she remarked in 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 COM
panlon at every other bid.
''Let her have it,, said the man. "It
sn't worth the money"