The true northerner., 1899-05-17
HIS VICTORIA CROSS.

year the leading papers gave bfseI sum-
mary each morning OF the highest prices that
the previous day had realized. But should
any inquiring numismatist look through a
file of the Times TO refresh his memory on
the present value of Victoria Cross, his
search would only lead TO wondering disap-
pointment. As matter of fact, the speci-
men from the Huntley collection was
knocked down at so Insignificant a price
that it was never included in any report, and
when the covetous heir TO the Huntley es-
tate, in something of fume, demanded the
reason of its being given away, he was curt
ly informed that 1t was sold TO the highest
bidder, and there the matter ended.
The auctioneer was never given TO long ex-
plantations at any time, and besides he had
become disgusted with his task before the
four days of the Huntley sale were over, and
so was in an unusually cheerful frame of
mind The one little incident in the whole
sale that had been refreshing was that same
Victoria Cross, and to have his methods
questioned in the sale of that bit of silver
was enough to arouse his temper.
The fourth and last day of the Huntley
sale was dragging slowly on. The incidents
of the bidding were as commonplace and un-
entertaining to most of the men who sat half
wearily round the baiZe-covered table and
looked languidly at medal after medal "a
they were to the auctioneer himself. The
professional raillery which had marked the
earlier hours had evaporated long ago. Ii
was three o'clock and hot day in the latter
half of July. There was nothing left for
people 10 buy excepting a collection of
curios. They were going one at a time TO the
half dozen bidders. The auctioneer was out
OF patience because of the time il took TO
sell them. He had put the entire collec.
tion up together, but failing TO get a bid
above the reserve price had had TO sell them
separately.
The score or so of buyers was as varied
crowd as any event could well bring to.
gether. Lord Wentlocke was a well-known
collector, who never missed an important
sale; next 10 him sat man without cuffs
who bought all the most expensive lots,
without apparently looking at them; op.
posite was Jew, who made all his bids 10y
furtive winks, and Who endeavored, by
amusing salies, to distract his competitors
attention at critical moments, and between
him and the British museum representative
a turbaned Parsee, buying on behalf of
Calcutta art gallery. Two schooboys had
strayed in and looked on silently or com.
pared notes of admiration in apprehensive
whispers.
At last the auctioneer pulled himself to
gether. Surely this will rouse you, gentle
men, if anything will, he said. Lot 1884,
a Victoria Cross, presented to Private
Thomas Young for conspicuous bravery at
Magdala Purchased by Mr.. Huntley from
Messrs. Link, and by them from the orig
inal holder. What shall / say"
1t seemed that the national collection was
or in ofo 1 orJ
never by any chance opened the bidding, and
the Jew always waited little to find out
who was interested Some one else started
with ten pounds, and in the twinkling of an
eye the cross had advanced to f20, and then j
hung for a moment.
1t was then, in the pause marking what
would probably have been the half way
point, that the silence was broken by the
poorly-clad woman who had sat, nervous
and unobserved, near the door:
"Oh, sir" she cried in a voice that was
half a sob, 81 don't understand, but could
only save two pounds, and-and | am his
mother"
There have been many scenes of psyche
logical suspense at Wethebey's Million.
aires have plunged recklessly for historical
pictures; relatives and legatees have car.
ried on their wrangles and snarled across
the table tor the possession of heirooms;
but never in the annals of that famous house
has there been so vivid a moment as when
the mother of Thomas Young, the man who
had displayed conspicuous valor at Mag.
dala, stood forth in her neat and pathetic
poverty and timidly held out the two
pounds worth of hot silver for which she
had starved and drudged in order to re-
deem her sons medal
The silence was only for second Some
one down the table, woefully out of touch
with the wave of feeling, gave an amused
laugh at the absurdity of the thing, and,
anxious to share the exquisite joke with the
auctioneer, looked up with merry smile as
he called out: Twenty
The Jew was on his feet in an instant. !
"Shut up, you blamed fool" he shouted furi. |
ously, cant you see!"
The auctioneer-it was Mr.. A, ever
the most courteous and sympathetic of his
profession-quietly tapped his rostrum once
or twice. Gentlemen" he said, this is an
unusual incident, and i think we will all
agree that some way must be found out of
the difficulty. So far the prices have been
very satisfactory, and should it happen by
any means-I cannot make any suggestion,
gentlemen-but should it happen that in
TINS one instance the price is not maintained, |
do not think that the vendor will have any
cause for complaint. To my firm l myself
will be responsible. F.. The bidding |
when / last took it, stood at f2O; that was
Lord Wentlocke."
Mine, too" said the man without cuffs |
readily. Surely you heard me? l thought
you took mine'
'The gentleman is quite right" said the |
jew, rubbing his hands delightedly. 81
heard him myself-before Lord Wentlocke, |
if anything" He had never spoken a more
obvious lie, or one which passed SO unques |
toned.
AS the matter is in dispute, have no
option but to start the lot again." said the |
auctioneer, with infinite relief "But, to |
take you completely into my confidence, / |
must inform you that have against it re-
serve, merely nominal, as it was thought at |
the time, of five pounds"
"Guineas," said Lord Wentlocke, quietly, |
and when the hammer fell, as it did with. |
out a seconds pause, it was amid en-
thusiasm which rivaled the scene when the |
famous Petition Crown created a record of
$500.
Lord Wentlocke never had any hesitation |