El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-05-29

THE firm was swift & Smart" and
dealt in antique furniture and
old paintings.
swift was a half a score OF years
o der than Smart, but both were very
sharp business men
Smart was sitting in his private Of
flee when his partner swift, came IN
7 am going to run up to ElsInOr
this afternoon
IAN right Anything the natter
NO, nothing at all An old friend OF
mine an auctioneer, asked me to run
up and give him my opinion or q
couple Of paintings, Wnlcn the nelrs OF
an old lady nave sent 10 De Sold az auc-
ton Then there is also Persian rug
Never mind the rug. That is not Of
any interest to us The paintings you
will buy for the firm II they are worth
7 don't think they are, from what
he says about them But what the
devil do YOU mean talking about the
firm. Did ever buy anything Tor my
self alone. contrary 20 our agreement
"Oh, nothing at all Don't let US
quarrel ANY man may be tempted
swift strafghtened himself up
Not l." he said
OF course not. But have half
..No, don't do that. Something i'm
portant may turn up here and If you
want to look at the paintings you
go. it is more because / like TO see my
AN right. then III stay here"
When swift entered his friends Of
flee that afternoon. he said
well. old boy, what kind Of trash IS
it YOU want me to look at2
Most likely il is trash. but you viii
have TO Judge for yourSelg. I am no
expert. but one Of the paintings struck
me as if it might be one Of the old
s.yT-t7+ old v,asfar9-
well. TO me. it looks as if it might
SO. let us have a look at your Rem
Let us go and have a drink first"
NO Rembrandt first Afterwards we
viii drown our Disappointment
A moment later Swift stood in front
of the picture and Immediately recog-
nized ii as a genuine Rembrandt but
he did not forget himself for even
moment and turning to his friend, he
4 see YOU have not changed a bit, old
boy You are just tae same old FOOL
Then you don't think this painting
wei. would not say that The
frame is not bad and ought to bring
The other picture poor copy OF a
much later painting, seemed to interest
Swift much more.
THAT is not so bad" he said.
That" the auctiOneeE exclaimed, sis
that worth anything
well. it is worth half a dozen Of the
other. anyway"
Next forenoon Smart said:
We'll, were the paintings worth any
What paintings2 Oh those in EIsi-
more. Oh, it was just trick of my
friend TO get me up there"
Smart sat long, thinking, when Swift
had gone into his office and he thought
topper with very fine nose for art,
enter Swlfts private Sanctum
There is something up Swifts
sleeve he said to himself. he never
sends for the old fellow unless he has
a sDecial commission for him"
Then he went out called taXicab.
and drove to man he knew he could
Peterson" he said to him. there is
to be an auction at ElsinOre and you
viii run up there for me You know
YES. by sight. but he does not
know me"
you see Vineyard on the auction bid
ding on an old painting, don't let him
How high am to go2'
Until YOU get it. DO you under
stand2'
In their office Smart and Swift were /
discussing two paintings the GlyptOhek I
had Just bought them when two tele- I
grams were brought in. one for each I
Of them, and each marked personal
Swift began to swear, Smart smiled
Did YOU get bad news he asked /
Yes, but it is a mere personal mat !
You didn't get that Rembrandt"
What do YOU mean2'
"Oh, thought perhaps you wanted to /
BUY it. I have bought a painting today, I
which 7 have not seen, but 7 know 7 !
IAN trust the man who bought it for /
well. that is your private business,
IF course"
ct really bought it for the firm"
without asking me- That is against |
lur agreement How much did you pay
Tor ito"
About three thousand"
Three thousand, And I have not !
'een it, 7 protest"
Then 7 suppose must bear the loss 4
-lone,' said Smart with a sigh.
'Of course YOU must i won't have I
lnything to do with it. The picture
nav not be worth three thousand"
Perhaps not but if YOU don't want
% share the risk. perhaps you viii {
tate in writing that you waive all I
laims to my possible profit"
with pleasure" said Swift. and he
made out the declaration. which Smart
olded and put into his pOcketbOok-
BY the way, Swift asked, What /
picture was it YOU bought 7 suppose
'ou know something about IT.
Certainly, said Smart with a smile. Z
1t was the Rembrandt old Vineyard
vas trying to buy for YOU"
ROSWELL MAN Is NAMED As
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