The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-06

4 mat the way, ne WCUlu say
give EN- fte Il they don't do il the
way you tell EN- to.
! Al length the library room was com
J pleted and, with smile vi satisfac
ton, Hurst asked his employees TO come
TO see IL.
The vestibule (which had been the
old library, was elaborateiy decorated
Beautiful hanging curtains adorned
each side. These were OF somber tint,
TO enhance the effect of place OF
| learning In one corner Was bust
OF Shakespeare. In another one OF
Milton, In thiId, one of Emerson,
and In fourth one of ThOreau On
one side. was shelf containing
the 20 volumes which made up the
catalogue.
Mr.. Hefferly inspected all this with
/ due care. He held his glasses 10 his
eyes, and looked scrutinizingly here
and there. He tried hard TO assume
the air OF one we'll able 10 Judge In
these matters, an attempt which
caused Hurst TO laugh inwardly.
though his bearing was grave and re-
spectful.
II think you have done captally.
Mr.. Hurst" said Hefferly, using Il
newly acquired word. II have placed
considerable responsibility in your
hands and you have done very we'll.
should delight TO do these things my
self, If | had the time
AS matter OF fact, Mr. Hefferly
had nothing TO do but TO follow the
bent of his own sweet will. AT this
point Hurst's restraint was admirable.
The look he gave Heffery seemed full
Of sympathy for the latter's enforced
self-sacrifice.
Now said Heferly, let US see
how the library looks.
Hurst held the curtains aside TOR
his employer to pass, at the same time
touching button that threw a flood
Of light into the room.
Mr. Hurst's efforts had certainly
been crowned with success. II was q
splendid library. 1t was fully rs feet
square. The book shelves were built
right into the walls. and were protect
ed by glass doors, which slid up and
then back when one wanted them
out of the way. Each shelf was Hum
mated by an electric light In the CEN
ter, under the glass. which made X
possible to locate book without push
ing back the door.
In the center of the room was
long. narrow table with chairs round
it, II could easily be seen that all
the furniture was OF a very expensive
kind. In one corner OF the room was
a Morris chair, placed there for those
who would read at ease.
This suits me all right" said Mr..
Hefferly, seating himself. With long
drawn sign Of languid ease. But" he
observed. I'VE haven't filled more than
quarter of those shelves"
II know We haven't, Mr.. Hefferly,
and | intend to set right TO work TO
remedy that condition, want to ex-
plain to you Now. this section | have
reserved for poetry; this one. for
works OF travel, and so on. That Sec
ton, in the corner, | have reserved
for books published in limited editions.
and signed copies"
Signed copies!" demanded Mr.. Hef.
ferly. who signs 'em?"
why. the authors, Of course
"Oh, TO be sure said Hefferly. Il
didn't think Of that. BY the way.
Hurst. I've heard quite good many
people talking about book The
name is the Ruby OF Omar some
body"
"Oh. yes. The Rubaiyat Of Omar
Khayyam. Here is a copy"
ITO be sure. What does that first
word mean?"
1T means stanzas or verses, just
the same as when we say Longfel-
lows poems.
"Oh, I see. Well. tell you. Hurst.
I'VE heard a good deal about the book.
want you to get me signed copy.
"A signed copy Of The Rubaiyat OF
Omar Khayyam. exclaimed Hurst
Certainly. Several men | know
have limited editions, and must have
a signed copy"
Are you willing to meet the ex-
pense Of securing one, Mr.. Hefferly?"
An impatient look crossed Hefferly's
face.
See. here, Hurst" he said, II told
you wanted the best library In the
United States. regardless Of cost My
days OF economizing have gone by.
used to have to wear a collar four days
to save laundry bills, but now intend
10 have some Of the good things.
leave for New York In a few days, to
buy books, and l will then start on
my search for signed copy OF the
Rubaiyat. / will send quite number
OF boxes and packages OF books.
think IL would be better to leave them,
az they come, until return, and then
can arrange them properly. You Will
honor my drafts. l presume? | Will
render an expense and purchase &C
count at the end OF each week"
That's all right Send In your
statements and I will honor them
will give you 5000 to start with"
On the second day following Mr..
Hurst left for New York. When ne
had been there a week, he telegraphed
to Mr.. Hefferly as follows:
Jacob Hefferly, Baldwin, Ohio:
Send $1.247.50 for books purchased
and $500 for expenses. Have got trace
OF signed copy OF Omar. Must go 70
London, Eng.
Mr.. Hefferly sent the cash at once,
and a few days later received dis
patch announcing that Hurst had had
a case and four packages OF books
shipped and was to take the steamer
for London that same day.
Mr.. Hurst's purchases in London
must have been pretty heavy, for
when he had been there ten days he
cabled for S900.0S 70 pay for books.
and $500 more for personal expenses.
He wound up by saying, See letter
about Omar"
In hts latter ho aaid "I have trace