New-York tribune., 1911-01-01
HIDDEN TREASURES
Secret Drauer of Romance Ap-
pears in Ne1U Forms.

T-h.r. is a glamour OF romance about the
secret repository for treasures. Tne secret
llrawer and the secret panel have inquired
IN many stories. true as well as raise IN
Colonial times scarcely a desk. WARDROBE
or bureau was made without some incoh-
spIcuous place where valuables might De
secreted. The mobiles OF the Latin races
rsed 20 have lap desks In which there
were invariably secret hiding places. and
there is now in the possession OF a New
York woman an old Spanish desk IN which
there are no less than twenty-four secret
cor,Dartmeuts. Its history touches upon
ths greed OF kings and the sorrows OF many
vornen. II is a silent holder OF mysteries
When Il was bought at well known
antious Dealers in Gibraltar. a chart
vas suuplied with Il. indicating the loca-
ton Of twelve secret places. After IL was
brought 10 this country. however and was
oyerhauled by an expert for the purpose
OF renovation, just twelve more such hid-
den places were discovered. Several OF
them we're inside OF others, each one being
most exouisitely made. AS q small column
necessary TO the design Of the centre or
the desk was pushed aside, very smooth
nanel came into view, having in its middle
a miniature brass ring. When one or the
indictments OF the desk looking Ike a tiny
brass pick. was pressed into this ring the
panel few open revealing a chest or hve
little drawers, each one finished with orass
knobs. These drawers In turn could De
lifted out as q whole, when mucn larger
receptacle came into view
On this desk two brass candlesticks
screw into places apparently made for no
other purpose Still when the finger Is
,noistened and drawn across the surround
ing woodwork IL slips gradually 10 one
SID. As this is accomplished. two round
nieces Of ivory are noticed, each one ap-
nearing very much Ike a poker chip. An
attempt to pick them UP. however. proves
futile. since they are. in truth, ivory CYL
,rders and must be pulled out from the
holes into which they III most snugiy'
they were originally intended TO hold the
spanish gold pieces corresponding 10 the
American so piece. Within each one OF
tres, cylinders ten such pieces can be
nscked away Even the little compartment
that holds the Ink bottle OF this desk. ana
which has an expression or complete In
nocence is found, when examined, TO be
rossessed OF a second bottom which lifts
out and discloses the largest hiding place
OF the whole desk.
The trouble with all these contrivanoes
was that they could usually be found In
much the same place. Hence their value
came into question. The lap desks used to
h, carried of bodily by evil disposed per
sons and chopped TO pieces. for which rea-
son they went completely out OF use and
are now the rarest OF antiques.
The need for q secret place In which
treasures may be hid from the dishonest
or the curious has not. however. gone out
OF date, and there are probably as many
such hiding places to-day as In Colonial
times. but their character has completely
changed They are less romantic. but II
would take a clever person to ind them.
The modern woman with treasures 70 hide
knows better than 20 use the secret drawer
In the Colonial desk. which Is known TO
every dealer. In antiques. she surveys her
swrsxaAipsa end ss1eGts for sss TREASURES