The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-21
MIR. BROADWAY Buys A VASE.
All Went Well Until His Wife Saw It-Risk
In an Auction Room Purchase.

All went wen tntl hs NHe ShW i-n'bh
In an Auction Room Purchase.
Mr.. Broadway Is a MAI Of many virtues. Chief
OF these is punctuality Seldom is it that the meat
becomes overdone or the potatoes soggy through
failure on his part TO reach home at a becoming
hour. When he does happen to be late he has
reasons for his hardness. Last Thursday was one
Of his delinquent days, OF course no had a good
excuse TO offer as a conformation for the offence.
"Now, don't you say a word, Kate" he said,
as he fell in line behind his wife WHO, the moment
he made his appearance, began a majestic march
10 the dining room. 1T was all to please you that
I stayed downtown so late"
This expression mollined Mrs. Broadway TO a
certain extent but her tones were still somewhat
hcrid when she rotor ted, "Oh, indeed. That shows
great discernment on your part You, Of course,
understood that nothing could please me so much
as to have the dining hour delayed, especially on
an evening when I wish 10 go out"
Mr.. Broadway was inclined u be abashed nv
this acrimonious attack but, sustained BY the re-
Election that he had been engaged In a laudabls
endeavor, he retained his affable demeanor. Now,
see here, Kate" he said, I've had enough trouble
this afternoon without your tanning me seven.
teen ways for Sunday I've been Trough the
terrors OF an auction sale on your account"
ltITtIS, chsNcI. icpVht'u us pIbduNdy,
incredulously.
Yes. errors I never struck such 8 frenzied
mob since the night | helped dish out that free
supper We fellows gave TO the hoboes that infested
our ward Just before the last election. But didn't
mind the discomfort o. lacerated hands and face
and tattered clothing so long as | WAS able To ten
der you a service I was trying to get = vase,
Kate. to replace that one Cousin Edward gave you"
Tho last tipra ~ Ngru nr,sjr.y'a liSplea SIre
faded away at that ex planstion-
oh. you darling. she cried. and did you getitg'
Course | got it. You don't suppose I'd
come away without it after hanging on this long,
do your"
But where is II"
"Oh. it'll be along after a little. A boy'Il bring
It 1t was such a big thing | didn't care to lug
it up home myself. Besides, | was afraid I'd
drop it, considering the spell! Of weakness that
overlook me at the close Of the scrimmage with
which the bidding contest ended"
"Oh. Jasper" cried Mrs Broadway, impulsively.
You are certainly the dearest man In the world.
Honestly, | never could endure the sight of tina,
vase your cousin Edward gave me. 1t was a
cheap thing to start with-not worth more than
81 at the very most, and So frighttully ugly. |
kept IL Just as long as | could stand il TO look at
II, but this morning my repugnance toward IL
reached a climax and | took II down 20 a Four
teenth street aucuoneer and asked him either
20 buy IL outright or sell II for me, allowing me
40 per cent Of what he received. We decided
on an immediate sale. He gave me- 81 90 for
it--said he'd take chances on running the price
up to So. | Was really very fortunate TO realize
rs much a. | did of the thing | sincerely hope,
Jasper, that your cousin Edward will never take
II into his head to make me- another present unless
It be clear cash with which | can buy whatever |
like. / do wish that boy would hurry. I'm
anxious TO see the new vase. You bought il AZ
a sale, you said? What does il look hike"
Mr.. Broadway looked frightened, "Oh." said
he, you mustn't ask n fellow such things ~
that. I'm not much On description. It's big
about SO high. here Mr Bfo9Away held his
around" here he curved his arms 10 indicate q
circle not less than five feet IN circumference,
and It's got several colors all mixed up over IL
salmon aud gold and Gems" and | don't know
little cupids and things curted round the handles
and rim are natural as life
Mrs Broadway nodded her head approvingly
Very good, Jasper, she said. That must he
very nice, indeed. And how much did YOU pay
for this treasure
Mr. Roadway cleared his throat guilty he.
fore answering Price he said. Is rot the
vital question in this matter, Although, now
that you have mentioned IT, | will admit that |
went down into my pocket pretty steep. consld
ering | made the purchase At an auction Snle.
Still. it was such an elegant thing thatsl couldn't
bear e. see It knocked ~ g. somebody else, and
] didn't pay a fraction OF what Il is really worth "
"Iut how much did you give, Jasper insisted
Mrs, broadway.
Seven dollars" said Mr. Broadway. reluc.
family,
Listen" said Mrs. Broadway There's the
bel That's the vase coming now,
Mr. broadway Jumped up from the table and
fastened to open the hall door Presently n
messenger boy came putting up the steps with
hmummy like bundle which he deposited glngcrly
lust INSIDE the door. Mrs. Broadway grabbed
the oblong case and ran toward the dining room.
Mr. Broadway came TO her assistance and he-
tween them they extrcated the bit If brica hrac
from its wrapp.ngs OF string and paper Mrs
Broadway gave one look nj the precious pur.
chase, then fell back with a cry Of despair.
"M'Iciul falhers, she said, you re- A. bad As
Edward, every BIT and grain"
Why, why. what's the matter" gasped
Mr. Broadway.
Seven dollars" walled Mrs. Broadway. Seven
total loss, not counting IN the messenger boy :
up Why. Jasper Broadway. where arc your
eyes Don't you know that that is the very
vase that has been tormenlinR my aesthetic soul
Tor the past year the very identical vase I sold
this morning for Sl.5O' And you never recnc
nized it2 oh, dear, oh, dear
MI broadway said nothing BY and by his
wife called 10 him from the head Of the table whore
she had reseated herself after the nrSt storm Ut
disappointment Ind subsidized, Jasper She
sald. why don't You come and finish your dinner
Evetythlhs IL getting stone cold"
MI bfoadway had lost his appetite.
IF o HATEN,T TRIED IT BEFORE