Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-06-21

speak with you.
"My father! You knew my father?"
every well. We met often in Paris
before his death. Like himself, !
have the little hobby Of collecting old
coins"
"Ah!" The girl started violently.
"And what then, monsieur? What do
you wish with me?"
II will tell you. A few weeks be-
fore your father died he came into
possession of valuable old COMA
one-franc piece, of the first Napoleon.
His first intention was to sell it, and
send to you the money in fact, /
offered to buy it from him-for the
account of a wealthy patron ! oc-
casionally serve in that way. He
refused, however, to part with it,
claiming that the price l offered was
not enough. was obliged to leave
Paris shortly after for several weeks.
On my return / was grieved to learn
that your father was dead and that
he had sent the coin to you. My pa
tron meanwhile increased the amount
of his offer, and in his anxiety to pos
sess the coin authorized me to come
here from Paris and purchase it from
you. That, mademoiselle. is my rea-
son for wishing to see you"
The girl drew back, apparently both
frightened and confused. Il am
afraid cannot sell you the coin," she
said.
"Why not, mademoiselle?"
"Because-I-I have already re-
ceived another offer"
Indeed. Well these rich Amer
leans get all the prizes. Still, my
patron is also a man of wealth. 1t is
possibly that he might offer you even
more than you have already been
offered. What, may / ask, is the price
at which you have agreed to sell the
piece?"
The girl hesitated, but the frank
and kindly manner of her questioner
apparently reassured her. Il am
afraid l should not sell it at ALL" she
said. 1T was keepsake, that / per
haps should preserve, for the sake OF
my fathers memory. But to-day
received letter offering me thou
sand dollars for the franc. 1t is a very
large sum, monsieur, for a girl in my
position. l do not see how l can re
fuse it."
"a large sum, indeed" agreed M
Dumas pleasantly. Il scarcely think
that my patron would pay more. Still
it is possible. May l ask, if it would
not be impertinent, the name of the
gentleman who makes you so fine ar
offer?"
Again the girl hesitated. perhaps
/ should not tell you that"
LAS you please, mademoiselle. i
is entirely business matter. / asked
only because l wondered whether the
gentleman in question might not bt
dealer in old coins, who is Offering
you less than it is really worth. There
are several in this city, with most o
whom / am acquainted by name"
His name, monsieur, is Vernon"
| NJ. Dumas started back, very mucl
| astonished. Vernon" he repeated
And the first name?"
The girl drew letter from he
pocket. Here is the letter, monsieur
Since you were friend of my father
you will perhaps advise me what
should do"
M. Dumas read the letter withou
replying. 1t said:
Ny Dear Mile. MERCER:
/ am informed that you have i
your possession one-franc piece q
the period of the first Napoleon. TIL
matter has come to my attentio
through the unfortunate death of m
brother, George Vernon, formerl
purser of the steamship Richelieu.
desire to purchase this piece, for tn
account of wealthy collector in th
city, and am authorized to offer yo
the sum of one thousand dollars fc
it, provided it is of the date an
character represented. If you wi
bring the coin to my apartment, No.
One Hundred and Tenth Street, tn
evening at nine o'clock, will examiI
it, and, if satisfactory, pay you Il
money.
: Very sincerely,
: CHARLES VERNOl
/ "a very fair offer, mademoise.le
| remarked NJ. Dumas, handing the gi
back the letter. ~ am afraid I cou.
not make you a better"
you advise me to accept 1t, then
"Yes, unless indeed, the coin is &
exceptionally fine specimen"
"But, monsieur, i know nothing
auch matters. To me it looks like al
: other franc piece. Indeed, some ge
tIemen who were here the other d;
told me ii was quite worthless.
Indeed" remarked M. Duma
, smiling. ''If you care to have n
! do SO, ! will examine the piece m
self. and give you the benefit of n
n experience and advice"
y "Thank you. 1t is very kind.
- | uo,, will uait fau rnnrnanta I will o