The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-01
THE lola AUCTION.
Gala Occasion Enjoyed by a Distin-
guished Company.

Paris Letter in London News
The auction of M. Zola's seized furniture
took place at his house to-day, and ended
From an early hour in the morning ladies'
gathered round the door, and kept as close
to it they could. They wanted to be the
first 10 enter Many of them were friends
of Nine. lola, but the greater number were
English. Russian and American sightseers
and hunters after relics. Next came photo
graphers snapshots and others; black and
white artists, newsmen and personal friends
Fasquelle, the publisher; M. Bruneau, the
composer; the faithful Desmoulins, the enne
graver; NJ. octave Mirbeau, and others 4
AT 9:15 the bailiffs who made the seizure
on behalf of the experts in handwriting
knocked for admittance in the name of th6
law. The door was opened and the crowd
entered. Those ladies on visiting terms with
Nine. lola went up stairs and found her in
her drawing room. She did not at first
show agitation, and seemed to be holding q
reception, but she grew more excited when
the voice of NJ. Mirbeau reached her ears
He protested against the sale on the ground
Of having offered to pay ne 30,OOf, adJudged
as damages to the experts, with costs. Nine,
lola started up and joined him. She spoke
when he left off Of the injury the seizure and
sale would do to her husband. His furniture
was his one amusement. 1t was favorite
recreation to look after and add to it. She
dreaded to think of the moral effect OF its
disappearance.
Maitre Baitry then made formal demand
to refer at once the matter to a judge in
chambers M. Mirbeau and the bailiffss
with their lawyer, thereupon jumped into
cabs and went to see a judge at his DOM
icile in the Rue de Marboeuf. They re-
manned for three-quarters of an hour argu-
ing points before him, but he, on technical
grounds decided that either M. lola must
pay or the sale be proceeded with. When
NJ. Labori's secretary, and NJ. Mirbeau
came to communicate this bad news to
Nine. lola she fired up, protested, sat
down, shed tears and then made up her
mind to see unmoVed the beautiful house
hold goods brought to the hammer.
A brigade of police then came into the
street and were stationed TO right and left
of the door. Before they appeared not
policeman was visible. Three or four hum
dred persons were trying to read the bill
of objects to be sold that was stuck on the
door They were brushed away by the
police to let commissioner of police the
Clemenceaus, NJ Carpenter and perhaps
the door was thrown open, and bellnan
summoned the public to walk into the auc-
ton.
1t was arranged for the sale to take place
In the dining room, where desk, high
chair and hammer awaited the auctioneer.
small Louis XIII table was carried
around by a man in a blouse and lifted high
to be seen by all present. The upset price
was 100 f. NJ. Fasquelle bid 1900 (. La
dies and gentlemen cried the auctioneer.
higher? Who bids higher? Is there to be
one bid only? Going-going. Ladies and
gentlemen, are you going to let it escape
you? Going-going-gone
The auctiOneer added: There will be am
other sale next Saturday should the price
given for this table fail to cover the costs.
The auction is ended. / have the honor to
salute you" There was burst of hilarious
laughter. The friends of NJ. Zola retired en-
masSe. Some of the ladies embraced Nine.
lola in the next room, and in a quarter OF
an hour the Rue de Bruxelles had relapsed
into its usual state of quiet