Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-21
RUMMAGE SALE A SUCCESS
Large Collection Disposed of for Benefit Of
the Poor.
Antiquities and "Cast-O6s," Pianos,
ClethIng. Furniture, Curfos.
and Bric-a-Brac.

The "hummage'' sale conducted this
morning at the auction rooms OF c. Il.
Sloan & Co., on G street, was success,
and the committee of citizens who Will have
In hand the distribution Of the proceeds
among the charities of the city will have
considerable sum at their disposal. AS its
name implies, the sale was one of antiqui-
ties and ''cast-offs'' of every kind and de-
scription that could be found In a rummage
through old store rooms and attics 1t was
an experiment for Washington, and the
large attendance and big stock on the dis
play tables made it most gratifying to the
promoters of this new and exceptionally
interesting scheme for securing funds for
the poor. There was no expense attached
to the sale. the rummage having been sup
piled by residents of the city and the haul
ing having been done gratuitousiy by Mr..
Sloan.
Mr. Sloan conducted the sale IN person.
assisted by number of the attaches OF his
house. He was in the best of spirits, ap-
parently, and interspersed business with
humor. His comical remarks upon articles
and incidents of the sale were hugely en-
joyed by the persons present. In the line
of goods for the sale there was everything
ina ginable, from an ancient piano down to
a pair of dumb-bells and goodly supply Of
mineral water. Clothing and all sorts of
wearing apparel were spread on the tables
next to cooking stoves, frying pans and
parlor lamps. Furniture, books, pictures
and bric-a-brac and curios of much value
were on the list. Sleds sewing machines,
gas fixtures, satchels, hats. scroll saws,
printing presses Of small dimensions, beds,
and all the queer things the word rummage
suggests were there in abundance, and all
brought excellent prices.
Successful Efforts to Get Bids.
When the bidding became slow Mr.. Sloan
would throw out hint that the people
present were forgetting the charity feature
of the sale His efforts along this line were
always rewarded with a heavy lombard
ment Of bids. Among the purchasers were
persons of all classes, from the very rich
who had gathered to pick up the antique
bits and curiosities for their collections,
down to the secondhand dealers. There
was lively bidding between the latter as
some exceptionally valuable bargain In the
clothing line was placed under the hammer.
Mr.. Sloan opened the sac at 10 o'clock.
1t was conducted on the second floor of his
establishment. which had been given over
in its entirety to the rummage and the ac-
commodation of those participating in the
sale. He quickly, and with a waste of few
words, disposed of a screen frame for so
cents. a baking pan for dime, a small
table for half a dollar, a gas range for a
dollar, small bath tub, a rocking chair
and wall rack, all in lot, for 10 cents;
two chairs and work basket for a quar-
ter. a toy Ferris wheel for 80 cents, while
d French clock, inclosed in glass case.
brought s1.2o. A picture of the cruiser
New York brought 90 cents.
Whenever the auctioneer was in doubt as
to the character or identity of the goods
handed him. he always referred to his col
ored assistant, Jim whose knowledge
seemed inexhaustibIe and infallible. Jim
banded up Il handsome pair of patent leath-
er shoes. They had evidently pinched some
aristocratic feet and were quickly discard
ed because of discomfort jim declared
they would fit anybody. The bidding was
lively and the shoes finally brought 81.
Ladies shoes We're not in such demand. two
pairs, sold together, bringing only quar-
ter. dozen soup plates brought 81. 10.
A ladys straw hat and serge Jacket brought
~ cents Take your hat and coat and CO.
said Mr.. Sloan to the successful bidder.
Worried by This Batch.
was clouded with a worried look when he
was handed batch of womens clothing.
II seemed to comprise an entire wardrobe
Summer dresses and some are not" be-
gan the aucxoneer, with a grin, and when
the litter among the ladies had died away,
he continued:
Il don I know what some of these things
are and wouldn't know what to call them
If | did. So you ladies just look at them
As We pass them over. Hold them up,
jim and let the ladies see all the silks and
satins."
The lot brought $3.50.
IN take that comforter for quarter"
said bidder.
People get arrested for taking things
my man.. replied Mr.. Sloan But he COM
promised with the man at 30 cents.
Features OF the collection were two very
old and valuable pianos that had been con-
tributed and were almost priceless to col
lectors of antiques. One was Rosenkranz
Berlin make.