The sun., 1910-01-09

Irench PrCtender 10 tie \ NBAuu cur
Paris 10 spend ~ IsO, ,OO0. 900 on
. Municipal Improvements ,O0O. 600
worth OF Gems I'm CaIcutta Theatre.
LONDON. Dec. 2e.--~Yes, sir, l think l
understand your requirements, and curl
ously enough my firm has lately pur-
4 chased an extraordinarily fine black pearl.
perfect in shape and lustre. which we
would sell for $4,000"
The speaker was the head partner OF
q great jewelry firm in the West End OF
London and the customer an English
speaking gentleman. well groomed and
Of refined manners, who had asked to
zee some exceptional article which he
s~eould present as betrothal gift to the
lady Of his choice. After an inspection
Of the pearl, oviform. spotless and un-
mounted. ive-eighths Of an inch in its
longest diameter and about half an inch
in It's cross section. and after an unavailing
attempt 10 reduce its price the customer
agreed To take IL.
He Acknowledged that as he was un-
known TO the firm he could not expect
80 receive the jewel in return for his
check. but he would draw a check and
would call in a day or two and take the
pearl. No, it would be useless for him
TO give his address, as he was leaving
London in a few days. in fact was re-
turning TO the United States as soon as
he was married.
The check was honored. the customer
claimed his purchase forty-eight hours
later and the incident seemed closed. This
ended Act I.
Act II. opens four months later The
customer has returned to the Bond street
shop and has asked for the head partner.
to whom he explains that he has married
IN the interval and his wife is anxious to
obtain a second black pearl. similar
enough to the first to have the pair
mounted as earrings.
The jeweller explained that such pearls
had greatly increased in price and that an
absolute match would require much
searching. The American gentleman sug-
gested an advertisement in the trade
journals giving an accurate description
of the first pearl. it's dimensions weight
and color. and expressed his willingness
10 go as high az s17 500.
Act III, time about the end Of the
same month finds a person speaking
French huently Offering an exceptional
black pearl for sale to a jewellers firm
IN he0eUN HJFttG anu NllHnR 8IJtT LuuCn
bargaining TO accept 81. geo spot cash
The Regent street firm knowing that
it's friendly rivals in Bond street were
seeking Just such a pearl and seeing an
easy profit Of e. 500. which could be di
vided between tho two firms. made the
purchase. :.
Act ~. Is really ne yet unfinished. Two
iewery firms are seeking in vain the
- = L.
feesed 20 be trying to match black pearl
Some little bitterness has developed be-
e. tween the two firms because the advertise
nent of the one caused the other to give
an exaggerated price for pearl for which
it has no particular use. Meanwhile II
appears that an unknown. by investing
$1,000 in May, obtained a profit Of IS 900
in September. which works out TO about
10 per cent. a year. so that at least one
party to the deal should be satisfied.
One Of the interesting features of the
present political contest in England ID
the way literary men have laid down their
pens and taken up public speaking
Maurice Hewlett has held forth for the
Liberals. Sir Gilbert Parker is speaking
for the Conservatives. Silas Hooking
has put aside stories Of adventure and ID
deep in contesting constituency; QuilIer-
Couch. better known as %. is in the midst
Of the fray.
Marie Corelli has indulged in a charac-
teristic jeremiad over empire. and last
but not least Mrs. Flora Annie Steel has
protested against women electioneera
who are ordering new gowns and hats
for canvassing purposes. She read some
where that velvet is to be the smart wear
for electioheering and she asks men
candidates II they want TO get into Par
lament by means of velvet" English
women, she goes on to say, think far too
much OF their clothes, and she suggests
that the incoming Parliament shall heavily
tax all feminine frocks and frills indeed
she favors the enactment OF law under
which diapers shops shall be taxed
Lady Dorothy Nevill. writer and
octogenarian grande dame Of the social
political world, is Mortified at any such
idea and comes forward to repudiate
Mrs. Steers statements. She says pretty
clothes are necessary at election time
Most Of the canvassing Is done in poor
streets, and the people who live in then
don't like to think that the ladies who
visit them have put on old clothes foI
the purpose. ..
But continues Lady Dorothy. -wheI
Mrs. Steel hints that extravaganoe II
dress is associated with women who hoIS
snti-sufrage views she 10 making
mistake. There are extravagant womei
10 be found In all parties, but not amonI
the antis more than any other. I've seeI
sstins and sables at sufragstte meetings
and the leaders Of the movement pa,
great attention to their costumes
Thus the battle RACES Novels are no
written and poetry ia Telegated to oh
scurity till the "Genelec." as the genera
election has been named. is over.
That the New Year holds some terribl
Tate in store for John Bull Is predicted
although in more or less vague terms
ny the majority Of those who profess
ability to lift a corner Of the veil OF tn
'future, The latest III omen to scar
~tlDpratifiona yn.nor.lo l. that in tOfA QOr1S