The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-01
A SHABBY
NOBLEMAN
By ALAN HINSDALE

a British accent to see some pearl
necklaces.
The clerk went to a safe, took out
several trays and placed them on the
counter.
These necklaces are very expen-
sive," he said. "Of course so large
number Of real pearls cost money. But
this one" handing out a single string
Of very small Jewels. is cheaper. The
price is s., 500"
The man did not seem shocked at
the enormous price named by the clerk,
but after a close inspection Of the ar
ticles, holding them within few
inches of his eyes, on which he wore
glasses evidently to correct near
sight, he handed them back to the
clerk, saying: II 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 n single pendant Of dia-
mond as large as good sized pea
The price was $3.50.
you are nearer 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
his 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 If he could send
them to-his hotel. He would like his
wife to see them. The clerk agreed.
The gentleman gave his name, George
Throckmorton, and his hotel, at the
same time taking out cambria hand
kerchief and wiping his glasses With
the handkerchief came letter which
dropped on the floor
The clerks back was turned at the
time. for he 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.
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, {. S A., and bore London
postmark
That's singular" said the clerk to
the man who picked up the letter.
whats singular?"
Why, that the fellow should be
nobleman. His clothes are worn
shiny"
Don't you know" replied the other,
examining the address, that those
English lords wear seedy clothes? It's
an affectation. But you should see
their 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.
i've heard it said that the members
Of the house Of lords are the worst
dressed men to he found In any legis-
lative assembly. | happen to know
that the Earl of Boyingstone is one OF
the richest men i'm England"
The clerk put the letter In his pocket
and when he sent the earrings and the
letter to the earl's hotel sent also
message that there was 10 per cent
discount on the necklaces, which he
had not mentioned. The Countess of
Bayingstone admired the earrings, and
the earl asked the man who brought
price would be accepted In payment
The bearer telephoned the firm, and
since the clerk had reported that
George Throckmorton was also Earl
of Boyingstone the partners consulted /
as 10 whether they should do so I'M
usual a thing as he requested. The I
clerk was called in and told that the .
customer had refrained from buying I
the pearl necklaces not because they
were expensive, but because he said
he could do better IN London. eff |
there was anything wrong with him.
added the clerk, lit would seem that
he would have chosen the jewels in
volving the greater amount"
The junior member of the firm said
that IL he could have look at the
purchaser he could rate him correct
"; he would know gentleman by
Ii was agreed among the
partners that this man should 90 to
he hotel and give the answer
The junior member of the jewelry
firm, In order to excuse the visit, said
hat he had come to say that If Mr..
fancied any of their
necklaces ii could be had for less
money than the clerk had named. But
he earl said that his wife would not
reed jewels I'm America, and he would
lot purchase anything more than the
earrings at present This statement