Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-04-15

iici
Milo and Eddie was the most wor-
RED of all. because each of 'em had
been commissioned by their command
Ing officers not to let t'other family
win.
That auction was the biggest thing
that ever happened at the Old Home.
We had it on the lawn out back Of the
billiard room, and folks came from
Harniss and Orham and the land
knows where The sheds and barn
was filled with carriages. and we
served thirty-two extra dinners at
dollar n feed. The dishes was piled
on a table, and Peter Il. done his auc-
tioneer preaching from kind Of pull
pit made out Of two cracker boxes and
u tea chest.
But there want any real bidding ex-
cept from the Smalls and Thompsons.
A few Of the bOarders and some Of the
out Of towners took a shy long at first.
but their bids was only ground bait.
Milo and Eddie, backed by the dow
ager and the duchess, done the real
fishing.
The price went up and up. Peter
T. whOOped and pounded and all but
shed tears. II he'd been burying a
competition hotel keeper he couldn't
have hove more soul into his work.
Twas, Fifty! Do hear sixty? Six
ty do hear? Fifty dollars! Think of
1t! Why. friends, this amt church
pound party. Look at them dishes!
Look Mt 'em! Why, the pinfeathers
on those blue dicky birds in the cor
ners are worth more n that for mat
tress stufiing. Do hear sixty? Sixty
I'm bid. Who says seventy"
Milo said it. and Eddie was back at
him afore he could shake the reefs
out Of the last syllable. She went up
to hundred. then to one hundred and
thirty-two, and with every raise Ado
! hiram Rogers smile heightened out.
And just then two things happened.
One was that a servant girl come run
| ming from the Old Home House to tell
the duchess and Irene dear" that
| some swell friends Of theirs from the
hotel at Haruiss had driven over to
| call and was waiting for 'em In the
parlor. The female Smalls went In.
| though they Want joyful over 1t.
They give Eddie his sailing orders
afore they went too.
The other thing that happened was
| Bill Saltmarshs arriving in port. Bill
Is an "antiquer' for revenue only. He
runs an antique store over ut Ostable.
End the prices he charges are enough
to convict him without hearing the
! evidence. | knew he'd come.
| Saltmarsh mods to Peter L: and picks
up one of the plates He looks ut II
first ruther casual. then more and
more careful. turning it over and TAX
ing up another.
Hold on Il minute. Brown" says he.
Are these the dishes you're selling"
| "Sure thing" comes back Peter.
think we're serving free lunch? No.
sir! These are the genuine articles. Mr..
Saltmarsh. and you're cheating the
widders and orphans II you don't put
in bid quick. One thirty-two fifty.
| I'm bid. Now. Saltmarsh"'
But Bill only laughed. Then he picks
up another plate. looks Mt 1t and laughs
again.
Good day. Brown" says he. Sorry
l can't stop" And OF he puts toward
his horse and buggy.
Eddie Small was watching him.
Milo. being on the other side Of the
p,,lpit HADN'T uctico1 Gu porti,,lor
who's that!" asks Eddie. suspicious
Does he know antiques"
remarked that IL Bill didn't then
! nobody did.
Look here. Saltmarsh" says Small,
catching Bin by the arm as he showed
through the crowd.
whats the matter with those dishes
-anythlngY
| Bill turned and looked mt him.
'Why. no." he says slow. They're all
right-of their kind"
But Eddie want satisfied. He turns
to me. by GEORGE he says. What
is It? Does be think they're fakes?"
Zone hundred and thirty-three!" hol-
lers Peter. fetching the tea chest q
belt. "One thirty-fOur do l hear?
Make it one tlirty-three fifty! Fifty
cents do ! hear? Come. come! This
Is highway robbery, gentlemen! Mr..
Small-where are youY
But Eddie was talking to Saltmarsh.
In minute back he comes. looking
more worried than ever.
Zone thirty-threew beIlers Peter.
Zone thirty-three! oh, how can look
my grandmother's picture IN the face
after this? One thirty-thrce-once!
One irty-three-twice! Third and
last call! One-thirty"-
Then Eddie begun to raise his hand.
but twas too late.
Zone thirty-three and sold to Mr..
Milo Thompson for $133w
And just then come a shrek from