The Lamar register., 1920-09-22
Charity
CCopyright)
By E. L. JAY

sole ambition In life is to correct by
means of drastic lessons, the errors In
their moral makeup. thus lnculcatlng
honesty, faithfulness, and other vir-
tues into various people who lack these
desirable attributes. Incidentally, he
makes a very comfortable living by It.
One afternoon he strolled into an
auction room where art objects from
the land OF the Mikado were being
sold. case of carved worries attract
ed his attention, and he fingered near
II admiringly. He asked an attendant
II these things were sold privately. as
he would not think of bidding at pub
lie sale.
whispered consultation ensued, In
the course of which the auctloneer In
formed him that they might do so, II
the gentleman would pick out the
things he desired and make an offer
on them.
Said Mr. Terhune: Really, / know
nothing OF the value OF these things:
but II you Will allow me, / shall pick
out several things fancy, and you will
place a label on each. Then, II you
will submit list, with the price OF
each article. ! shall send my agent. who
IS an expert; and If he considers the
figures satisfactory, ! shall be pleased
10 send you II check
The auctloneer gave a hasty glance
nj the faultlessly dressed gentleman.
then wlnked long and elaborately at
hideous bronze Idol. He had had
experience with purchasing agents be-
fore. II would certainly be a good
days business.
The selection began. First. the
ivOries-cunnng little men and women
In ridiculous postures; grotesque
hensts and birds climbing over each
other: gods. arrayed In fillgree that
looked like lace, hall of tiny mon
keys. so intertwined and twisted that
II was almost impossible TO count their
number The dalntiest and most
elaborate pieces in stock were care
fully selected and put aside.
Would the gentleman care to look at
some clolsonnesi The gentleman was
not very anxious. hut as he had
little time to spare. he would. The
nuctloneer waxed eloquent over the
wonders he lsplayed-graceful vases
Of iridescent hues; corpulent bowls OF
dove-gr color. over which prepos-
ferrous reptiles dlsported and stuck out
their tongues; n gem Of translucent
green enamel, sprinkled with cherry
blooms in softest pink and white.
A few ceramics? An exquisite dish
SO dainty. one could count his
fingers through Its porcelain walls
covered with tiny figures outlined In
iS-carat coldi
Royal Sntsuma pottery. signed by
the artist. Is pleasing attractive. and
rare.
Some M0rarchi studded with medal
Hons like little gems. An old tea-set.
80 fragile that II seemed as II n breath
would destroy the falry-dishes. A
bronze n two; and a mammoth teak
wood cabinet whose carved heads
hrooded In solemn hlnckness over the
treasures.
j. Lawrence Terhuns looked at his
watch and said:
Really. / had no idea | had spent
50 much time Here is my card. Kind
ly favor me with a list as soon as
possible. Quote your lowest prices. as
! viii do no bargaining. My agent Will
call. examine. and report"
The next morning the auctioneer
called at Mr. Terhune's office. He was
disappointed that he found nothing To
indicate The business OF his prospec-
tive purchaser. He was ushered Into
room which has often been de-
scrlhed as the handsomest private Of
firc IN New York. and his trained eye
unConsclously estimated the value Of
tho fixtures to be no less than five fig
ures.
All, good morningl Have you your
Est2 Goodi II refer II to my agent.
I hope you nave remembered my re-
unoSt TO make the prices reasonable.
viii not be bothered with haggling."
Mr. Terhuue. them prices quoted Is
dirt cheap. Why, | takes my oath
and wouldn't mean II no more sacred
~ II | was to drop dead this minute
that every quotation is as low as you
ran get them anywhere, even II you
was to import 'em yourself"
The nuctioneer took his leave.
J. Lawrence Terhune chuckled. lit a
cigarette. and proceeded leisurely to
examine the list. One hundred and
eighty-seven separate ltems-surely he
FnI mt ayamiuDH sQ mauyi A sum