The sun., 1910-05-15

there. Would the gentleman. az a great
favor and a perfectly safe investment.
lend him S1,OOn acCepting az security an
old master which the dealer declared was
cheap az three times that sum? The loan
was made. the picture delivered and the
dealer, promising a speedy return of the
loan. went his way
Time passed: the loan was not paid.
and the old masters pOssess0r. somehow
feeling that he would prefer the money
10 the picture. wrote 10 the dealer remind
ing him Of the promise VI prompt repay
nent, No answer came, nor 70 other
lerters and 90 telegrams that followed.
SoTns months after the mine owner waa
in New York and bsheld the dealers
nams in large letters over a prosperous
looking picture gallery.
Now 10 the time he decided. TO get
my money hack. and he ascended the
steps with the air Of a man who feels he
holds the winning cards.
The proprietor happened 10 he out
at the time. but the visitor was an inn
portant looking person with an unrnis-
taxable air u wealth and he did not lack
for attention from the galleTy's em-
ployees. The customer gave them scant
attention; his mind was busy with a
scheEne magnificent in its simplicity
Here was chance TO Get his money
I nAGhs AMrENI0lH NJ NfNN AfOuIlu NttH
gallery asking the prices Of various pic-
lures and finally selected one. the price
Of which was about double the amount
of the loan.
I'm take this. he said. You may
send u 20 my home and when Il arrives
| | will attend 20 the payment
If was promptly sent a. directed, and
/ aOon after the dealer received a terse
communication: Unless the amount Of
] thu loan is repaid az once I shall take
| legal measures 20 establish my ownarship
70 one Of the two pictures now hold.
by return mail, the dealers answer
arrived You can keep them BOTH IL
said.
coEOT AND The IMITAroRs.
1T seems like what Hardy would call
one OF the little irOhies OF life that Corot,
Aincerest. most trusting and most generous
Of men, should be the greatest sufferer
az the hands Of the picture fOrRer; for
though he was one OF the most prolific
Of painters there are probably more
fraudulent COrOts in the Possession Of
collectors than pictures Of any other
! painter.
a friend, whose reliability should ha slow
Of an artist whom he we'll knew, what
Z was his surprise. and displeasure. 20 find
his friead az work upOn an admirable
imitation of COrot.
How can you bring yourself 20 do 4
thing like thisT he inquired anRrily.
The artist replied. I can make STS q
day painting these pictures; do not aian
them and do not know what becomes ol
them. What's the use Of my going too
deep into this diaputabls question ol
tainted money!
Nov comes tho most astonishing nart
of my story, for my informant declared
that within q short time he personally
saw this same 'COrOt sold In q reraItablS
auction room for $1,000
IT 10 doubtful II this oopyist woud
have received tho same kindly onnnidara-
ton that COrot himanR once nave when 4
doubted picture. bearing his signature
was brought TO him Tor verihnatiOn'
In somo way he managed 70 discover the
name Of tbe Defs0n who bad Onerpd thS
picture Tor aals a. Genuina. and Ia
despatched note. requesting q call a
Ae he appointed hour q hazard
nnd frightened youth made Ria anpear.
Ance. cOngesaIng that hs had, indesd
painted TIE picture. but giving Al ~
reason Tor 20 doing tho extreme povertV
o. his mother and EI1teF. whnas r1puopi
he va Corpte gentle heart msiiad.
iputeng Ne picture upon hia oaeoi and