The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-23
A SHABBY
NOBLEMAN
BY ALAN IIlNsDALE

A gentleman dressed very plainly
indeed shabbily--stepped into iewel
ers store in New York and asked witt
British accent to see some pear
necklaces.
The clerk went TO safe, took on
several trays and placed them on thu
counter.
These necklaces are very expen
sive,' he said. "0f course so large {
number OF real pearls cost money. Blu
this one" handing out single string
Of very small jewels. is cheaper. The
price Is $500"
The man did not seem shocked al
the enormous price named by the clerk
but after a close inspection OF the ar,
ticles, holding them within a few
inches of his eyes, on which he wore
glasses evidently to correct near.
sight. he handed them back to the
clerk, saying: Il can do better in Lon
don. Let me see some earrings"
The clerk put away the trays and
brought forth others containing ear.
rings. The customer, as in the case
before, examined the more expensive
articles and asked the price of pair,
each having single pendant Of dia-
mond as large as good sized pea.
The price was $4,000. -
You are nearer a reasonable price
On these said the customer They
are very pretty"
The clerk had shown the man jewels
far beyond the price he supposed from
bis appearance he could pay. Indeed,
he fancied the party simply desired to
feast his eyes upon them. The diamond
earrings were apparently nearer his
caliber. Perhaps sale could be effect
ed. After holding them near and far
and catching the light on the diamonds
he asked the clerk Ii he could send
them to his hotel. He would like his
wife TO see them. The clerk agreed.
The gentleman gave his name, George
T'hrockmorton, and bis hotel, at the
same time taking out cambria hand
kerchief and wiping his glasses. With
the handkerchief came letter which
dropped on the door.
The clerks back was turned at the
time. for be was putting away the
jewel trays. and when he again faced
the counter fashionably dressed man
was there holding out the letter the
other had dropped.
1.-The man who just left you dropped
this" he said.
The clerk took the letter and natural
ly looked at the address. 1t was the
Earl of Boyingstone, hotel, New
York, q. s. A.. and bore q London
postmark.
That's singular" said the clerk to
the man who picked up the letter.
Whats singular?"
why, that the fellow should be a
noblemanl His clothes are worn |
shiny"
Don't you know" replied the other.
examining the address. that those |
English lords wear seedy clothes? It's |
in affectation. But you should see !
heir lackeys, all velvet and gold, with
powdered wigs and silk stockings.
Sometimes their shoe buckles are set
With real Jewels
'You don't mean it.' said the clerk.
1--WE heard 1t said that the members
4 the house OF lords are the worst
ressed men to be found in any legis-
ative assembly. ! happen to know
hat the Earl of Boyingstone is one Of
be richest men In England"
The clerk put the letter In his pocket,
nd when he sent the earrings and the
'tter TO the earrs hotel sent also a
lessage that there was Is per cent
lscount on the necklaces. which he
ad not mentioned. The Countess of
livingstone admired the earrings, and ,
10 earl asked the man who brought
lem II draft on London for the
ice would be accepted In payment. !
be bearer telephoned the firm. and i
nee the clerk had reported that
Gorge Throckmorton was also Earl
Boyingstone the partners consulted
to whether they should do SO I'M
ual thing as he requested. The
ERIK was called in and told that the
stomer had RETAINED from buying
e pearl necklaces not because they
ere expensive, but because he said =
could do better in London. IF !.
ere was anything wrong with him."
ded the clerk. ''it would seem that
would have chosen the jewels in :
living the greater amount"
The junior member Of the firm said
at IL he could have look at the
rchaser he could rate him correct
he would know a gentleman by
'tinct-i II was agreed among the y
rtners that this man should go to u
} hotel and give the answer.
rhe Junior member OF the jewelry u
N, in order to excuse the visit. said pl
It he had come TO say that If Mr.. a.