West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-01-30
MI. BOWSeT, Antiquarian.
He Discovers and Makes Purchase or
Priceless Piece OF Furniture.

home the other evening, he suddenly
remembered that he ought to buy a
box of shoeblacking, and he left the
car and stepped into a grocery.
While he was being waited upon his
eye caught sight of bureau in the
back end of the store, with drawers
filled with potatoes, and after look
ing the affair over he asked with
pretended calelessness.
"How does it happen that you
have such piece of furniture in
here2"
81 took it on debt of 50 cents, :"
replied the grocer.
"And 1 suppose you'll sell 1t for a
dollar ?"
eff you want that bureau for a
dollar, it's yours, and l will de-
liver it,"
There was struggle with con-
science on the part of Mr.. Bowser
for minute. No sooner had he
set eyes on that bureau than he
identified it as belonging to the col
onial period and worth its weight in
silver as an antique. The grocer
simply regarded it as so much old
rubbish and would be satisfied with
profit of 100 per cent. Should he
take advantage of the ignorance of
the dealer in sugar and c1dhsh, or
should he give him honest informa-
ton and plank down $40 in place of
81. Conscience took back seat.
and the purchase was concluded at
the dealers own figure. ANY gro
Ger who will debase an old heirloom
by filling it full of potatoes deserves
to be swindled in its sale. The
minute that Mr.. Bowser reached
home Mrs. Bowser felt sure that
something had happened, and,
though she asked no questions, his
nervous demeanor at the dinner
table strengthened her belief. At
ter the meal was finished he Had an
excuse to go to the front door every
five minutes, and when wagon at
last drove up he went out to assist
the boy in lifting the old bureau
into the house. 1t was showed into
the Parlor, and he walked around,
chuckling over it for a quarter of an
hour before he was ready to say:
"Mrs. Bowser, do you remember
our visit to Mt. Vernon and the
tomb of Washington several years
ago ?"
Perfectly" she replied.
'In going over the house we en-
tered the room that used to be Mrs.
Washington's bed room, believer"
"I'm sure we did,"
"And you coveted an article of
furniture in that room and kept
talking about it for weeks after"
eyes, the bureau, " she replied.
81 did SO want bureau like that,
but you said one couldn't be had for
love or money. You haven't
haven't
when I call, you may come in"
he said as he took up a match and
passed into the parlor to light the
gas. "Now, come on"
He extended his hand to Mrs.
Bowser and led her up to the antio-
uity and stood by with a smile on
his face as he surveyed il. AS she
said nothing for a minute or two,
he observed
81 can't truthfully say that this is
the indentical bureau used by Mar
tina Washington, but you eau see
for yourself that it was made by the
same man and is as like it as two
peas. You are nov in possession
Of the coveted article a last, and ]
suppose you won't care for dia-
monds or pearls 2"
odd you buy this for a colonial ?
asked Mrs Bowser as she backed off
and sat down on a chair
"Well, ] didn't buy IL for a roor
bureau Yes bought for what IL
is worth colonial rs Martha
Washington bureau right down to
the ground ] hayn't looked around
for a date on 10 but I presume
you'll find ITO or some other old
figures on lt some where. Doesn't
IL give you little feeling Of awe to
stand in the presence of this old
relic p
Mrs. Bowser's face looked serious
enough, but she didn't admit the
awe and be presently asked
whats the mater with you 7
thought you'd jump over chairs
when you saw this relic. Think Of
piece Of furniture hundred years
old I maybe a hundred and fifty
Where now is the colonial dame
whose hands once folded away her