The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-01-31
copyright, 1913. by W. G. Chapman

like to remember interludes In
Nikolai's series of conspiracies and
vengeance, when he allowed his sub
tie humor to play like lambert flame
about his imagination, when tragedy
turned comedy and success was not
purchased by tears. The case OF the
Essayan statue well illustrates the
lighter side OF Nikolais nature.
Everybody in Boston came to
know Essayan after he formed the
famous combination in corn. He must
have made millions; and from the
humble post of editor Of little rev.
dictionary Armenian sheet, he became
one of the citys leading bankers.
simultaneously his views underwent
a change, as Nikolai discovered when
he called on him.
WHAT" shouted Essayan. Con
tribute fifty thousand dollars to the
revolutionary party? You must be
crazy"
six months ago." said Nikolai
thoughtfully, you were bawling for
vengeance upon Russia through the
columns of your newspaper, and beg
ging subscriptions from your Armeni-
an compatriots against the tyrant OF
your country"
Essayan stroked his paunch, chuck
ling.
Maybe | did" he admitted. But
now / am a millionaire. My views
have changed"
Nikolai looked round. We were
seated in Essayan's private museum,
In which he stored his statues. Es-
sayan had gone in for culture. His
collection must have been worth mil
lions. Treasures of Greece and Rome
adorned his galleries; there was an
original Venus Of Praxiteles, a
Hermes by Phidias; bas-reliefs and
friezes had been stripped for the bank
er from many an ancient temple. Nj
kolai frowned angrily.
you must have spent five millions
on that collection Of yours" he said
Twelve millions" said Essayar
suavely. And all old, broken things
at that They tell me that my Herme:
hadn't a head. They tell me tha
they're just as valuable when ever!
statue has some part missing. ! don
understand 1t myself-but they cos
twelve millions"
Nikolai led him on to talk Of hi
new hobby. 1t was evident that tn,
Armenian took only a shadowy inter
est In the art side of his collection
He did not, in fact, remember wheth
er II was his Apollo that had tn
missing arm or his Jupiter whose le
was gone. But Berg knows" sal
the banker. "Bergs my art expert Il
London. and what he says goes. He
sending me a sample of old Egyptia
mummies that's going to cost me hal
Nov, Mr.. Essayan." said Nikola
a million"
If you can spare twelve millions 70
. your COMPOUNDED arr hobby you ca
give me fifty thousand for the Armt
man cause"
"Yet I'll wager you that before tn
year Is out I'll sell you one of you
own statues out Of this gallery fo
three times the amount I've aske
! you"
mo, you won't" answered the banl
! or placidly, because know you, an
from this moment my museums g
ing to be bolted and barred and guar,
ID, and nobody's going to enter Seei
Nikolai could with difficulty restrai
liz indignation when we were outsid
"The selfish hog!" he muttered. II
pends twelve millions on that stu
}hen fifty thousand would rebuff
hose villages that the Russians bur
d last year, leaving hundreds Of h
ountrymen homeless. Well. SUI
hers, well win three times TIL
mount and teach the scoundrel a lie
on"
"Nikolai," I said, 81 confess tn
reaking into q bankers house in Be
Jon does not appeal to me. It isI
feasible. This Is America, and VIII
Fan be done In Europe won't 60 here
"Tll do the breaking in" said \
kolai. "Or, rather. shall be CARR,
into the gallery in state and request'
to spend the night there alone by N
Essayan. All you will be required
do will be to catch the statue In
blanket when / throw 1t out"
knew that some audacious schen
had already been devised by my col
panion. but Nikolai refused to deliv
himself Of It. The year had sever
months to run and for two months ,
did nothing. except occasionally
~ wander In the neighborhood Of &
bankers house. Once we encount,
ed Essayan as he was leaving
front door
Hal" he snorted. when are y
going to sell me my own stat
what?" He led US back into t
house. Look" he said. You sh
be warmly welcomed, gentlemen"
The door that led to the muse,
had been secured with iron bars, ca
OF which terminated In a paddock.
sayan showed US a series Of elect
wires.
They communicate with the pol
department. the private watchma
ONCE, my own room, and the fire
partment. l shall expect you-soor
Some time this year." Nikolai
swered. Have you got your cargo
mummies yet, Mr.. Essayan?"
Next month / expect them"
swered the banker Now shoe!
away. You make me feel tired"