The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-22
CONTINUED

PtANNS. &No"s bC0A III AhAiA0s ahV
don't try any Of your high and mighty
tactics on us"
"Just remember that you're junk
dealer and We'll get along splendidly,'
said the other in tone meant to
crush me- What do you ask for this
thing?" tapping the dusty spinet with
his walking stick.
1t suddenly occurred to me that the
situation was humorous.
"You will have to produce your ref
erences. gentlemen. before l can dis
!. cuss anything with you." | said. after
swallowing very hard. Qt must have
been my pride.)
They stared. Good Lord!' gasped
the bristiy one, blinking his eyes
Don't you know who this gentleman
is? You-you appear to be an Ameri
can. You must know Mr.. Riley-Werk
heimer of New York"
II regret to say that | have neveI
heard of Mr.. Riley-Werkheimer. die
not know that Mrs Riley Werkheim
er's husband was living. And may
ask who you are?"
"Oh. 1 am also nobodyr' said be
with a wink at his purple jowled com
panion. Il am only poor old Rocks
worth. the president of the
"Oh. don't say anything more. Mr.
Rocksworthr' l cried. II have hearC
OF you This fine old spinet? Well
it has been reduced in price. Tel
thousand dollars. Mr.. Rocksworth."
Ten thousand nothing! I'll take i
at S75. And now let's talk about thii
here hall seat. My wife thinks it's |
fake. What is its history. and wha
sort of guarantee can you
"A faker' I cried in dismay. M!
dear Mr.. Rocksworth. that is the yer!
hall seat that Pontius PLATE sat ii
when waiting for an audience with th'
first of the great Teutonic barons
The treaty between the Romans ant
the Teutons was signed on that tabl,
over there. the one you have so judi
ciously selected. perceive. OF eours,
you know that this was the Saxol
seat of government. Charlemagne live,
| here with his court"
| They tried not to look impressed. bu
rather overdid It.
That's the sort of story you fel
lows always put up, you skinfiint
from Boston. I'll bet my head you ar
from Boston," said Mr.. Rockswortl
shrewdly.
Il couldn't afford to have you los
your head. Mr.. Rocksworth, so l shan
take you on" said merrily.
Don't get fresh now" said he stifiy
Mr. Riley y-Werkheimer walked pas
me TO take a closer look at the seat
almost treading on my toes rathe
than give an inch to me.
How can you prove that it's tn
genuine article?" he demanded curtly
"You have my word for 1t, SIR"
said quietly.
"Pish tushr' said he.
MFR. Rocksworth turned in the diret
ton of the banquet ball.
Carrie be shouted. come here
minute. will you:"
Don't shout like that. Orson." cam
back from the porcelain closet. "Yo
almost made me drop this thing"
We'll. drop it and come on. This
important"
! wiped le moisture from my bro,
and respectfully put my clinched fist
into my pockets.
A minute later three females appeal
ed on the scene. all of them dustin
their hands and curling their noses
disgust.
Il II never saw such a dirty place.
said the foremost large lady VIII
couldn't by any circumstance of fat
have been anybody's wife but Rock:
worth's. TITS filthy, What do 70
want:"
I've bought this thing here for sey
enty-6ve. You said couldn't get
for a nickel nuder a thousand. Ant
say. this man tells me the hall sei
here belonged to Pontius PLATE fn"-
Pardon me-" interrupted.
merely said that he sat In it. am nj
trying to deceive you. SIR"
And the treaty was signed on tn
table" said Mr.. RileyWerkbeimer. E
addressed himself to a plump your
lady with distorted bust and tive
ty-two inch waist. "Maude. what {
you know about the Ronan-Teuton
treaty? Wen catch you now, n
friend" he went on. turning to m
"My daughter is up in ancient histor
She's, an authority"
Miss Maude appeared to be rackir
her brain. | undertook to assist her.
81 mean the second treaty. after Il
fall of Nuremburg." l explained.
"Oh." she said. instantly relieve
WAS 1t really signed here. right he
in this hall? Oh, father. we must ha'
that tabler'
You are sure there was a treat
Maude?' demanded her parent accu
ingly.
Certainly" she cried. THE TIE
tons ceded .Alsace- Lorraine to-
Pardon me once more." cried. al
this time plead guilty to a blus
'you are thinking of the other treaty
the one at Metz. Miss Riley Werkheil
er. This. as you will recall. antedat
that one by-oh. several years"