The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-12-23

i "N" w '''b5 Hf1 ihb ~
crowd followed.
The old banker invited them back
into his private office and shut the
door. IL was the first time the Pear
hunter had ever been farther In a bank
than the lobby, and only oIlce In his
life IhaI far. Tile solid and s~ubstan-
tial luxury Of the place was q reve-
latiOn TO him. even a marter of intense
curiosity. But the cumulative effect
Of ii WAS TO give him courage, TO make
him feel he was somebody.
Ii seemed To the Pearlhunter that
the banker was gone d hing time whep
he went to bring the pearl from the
safe. When he finally re-enterer the
private office The owner of the pearl
saw why. He had hunted up some
where about the bank a small box. q
tiny jewel case, covered with green
plush, and was carrying he pearl in
ia little. thing. but very graceful
and gracious. The act went H. the
heart Of the ~PearIhunter and inm.nse-
~ increased his confidence and self.
respect. which was probably the very
thing the wise old banker hoped II
would do.
Louie Solomon knew fresh water
pearls. Probably there was no great
er expert living. His first glance at
the Blue Moon. when the lid of the
tiny plush case was raised, betrayed
him. FOrgetful Of the level eyes
watching his slightest move, studying
his every expression. he bounced upon
the glorious jewel and careSsed il with
his hands. ]devoured II with his pro-
truding eyes-the crafty trader lost
for the IN In the expert: the
Jew in the man.
But II was only for the moment. The
enthusiast vanished; in his place the
hard-faced trader. He Strengthened /:
set the box, with the lid still! up. on
the table that occupied the center Of
the Office floor, and looked around at
the others.
"SO-o-!" he said. with q slither of
his hand toward the pearl-a gesture
only Louie Solomon could make.
"undt dot ISIS II for which de pearl
fishers should go crazy"
But even Louie Solomon couldn't
quite put Over his accustomed huff in
the face of such q gem. 1t drew his
eyes back in spite Of him. Taking "A
lens from his pocket, he stopped over
ii again.
you no see dot fawf' he said. aft.
er a short inspection.
The Pearlhunter took the lens and
looked with quick. studied care. Some
times the most perfect pearl will de-
velop a flaw in ripening.
NO." he answered, handing bach
the lens. Neither do you"
1t was a straight thrust. The buyer
flushed and studied his man. Who
was this ~Iearlhunter. anyhow?
"Veil, how much you want 1T"
a. told you"
The jew ridlculed the idea with his
hands.
Il fought YOU make me some fool
shness. You 'hond't can meant III"
you've got a good chance to find
out"
The jew stopped again over the
pearl. rolled II about upon the plush
cushion inside the tiny jewel case. took
a small pair of calipers from his vest
pocket and measured ii, not only TO
determine it's size but its %roundness as
well. The old banker looked across
the table and winked at the Pearl
hunter-a very distinct and unmistak-
able wink. A dry grin puckered the
young mans eyes. It's not every pearl
fisher that gets winked at by a banker.
Solomon looked up after a while
and growled:
81 Gift you tree t'ousan'."
The banker started. But the PEARL
hunter said:
"If Ii amt worth more than that. I
might as well 20 down to Mud Haul
and fish for bullheads."
Louie Solomon swore-a stiff little
run of what the Flatwoods calls "keen
cussin'." His eyes stuck out he
stormed back and forth across the
loor n time or two. m%uttering TO him
self In Yiddish. a language in which
he Doubtless swOre more comfortably.
IL was the squirrel whisky. Louie
knew better. too.
But the tempest was soon over. He
stopped M the corner of the table. his
face smoothed serene as a garden
and like a garden. the better for the
storm.
Louie. I many times say TO mine
self. Louie. you got II too much big
hearted 70 he a pearl buver yet. Toe
much oft-hearted you got II. Hard
hearted a pearl buyer shouId Je. You
Gift too high. undt you sell too low.
Misses solomon. she die In de poor"
house yet. hain'dt itf gift you four
t'ousan'."
The %Pearlhunter glanced across the
table at the banker.
IL reckon you might "a well put II
hack I'm The SAFE" he said. 'He knows
my price. and he don't seem 10 want
TO do business"
The banker picked up the little
plush case. snapped. the lid down. AMI
started for the door. Taking the pearl
from the room was like putting the
light out. The Jews face vas a study.
He drew his sleeve across his brow.
"Bring II hack" he cried. "Himmeif
you pearl fishers ISIS all crazy. gin
IL 40 Ave 4 ousan'"