The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-07-23
Charity
By E. L. JAY
'(Copyright.)

pSople Will WHOm lie daily comes in
contact grieve him exceedingly; his
sole ambition in life is to correct by
means of drastic lessons, the errors in
their moral makeup, thus intoxicating
honesty, faithfulness, and other vir-
tues into various people who lack these
desirable attributes. Incidentally, he
makes 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. A case of carved worries attract
ed his attention, and he fingered near
1t admiringly. He asked an attendant
If these things were sold privately, as
he would not think of bidding at a pub
lie sale.
A whispered consultation ensued, in
the course of which the auctioneer in
formed him that they might do so, if
the gentleman would pick out the
things he desired and make an offer
On them.
Said Mr. Terhune: Really, I know
nothing of the value of these things:
but if you will allow me, l shall pick
out several things fancy, and you will
place a label on each. Then, if you
will submit a list, with the price Of
each article shall send my agent, who
is an expert; and if he considers the
figures satisfactory, I shall be pleased
to send you check"
Thefauctioneer gave a hasty glance
at the faultlessly dressed gentleman,
then winked long and deliberately at
hideous bronze idol. He had had
experience with purchasing agents be-
fore. 1t would certainly be a good
days business.
The selection began. First, the
UNDERSTANDING little men and women
in ridiculous pOstures; grotesque
beasts and birds climbing oyer each
other; gods, arrayed in filigree that
looked like lace, ball of tiny mon
keys, so intertwined and twisted that
1t was almost impossible to count their
number. The daintiest and most
elaborate pieces in stock were care
fully selected and put aside.
Would the gentleman care to look at
some cloisOnnes? The gentleman was
not very anxious, but as he had a
little time to spare, he would. The
auctioneer waxed eloquent over the
wonders he splayed-graceful vases
of iridescent hues; corpulent bowls of
a dovegray color, over which prepos-
ferrous reptiles disported and stuck out
their tongues; 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 it's porcelain walls
covered with tiny figures outlined in
18-carat gold
Royal Satsuma pottery, signed by
the artist, is pleasing, attractive, and
rare.
Some Moriarchi, studded with medal
lions like little gems. An old tea-sat.
so fragile that it seemed as if breath
would destroy the fairy-dishes. A
bronze or two; and a mammoth teak
wood cabinet, whose carved heads
brooded in solemn blackness over the
treasures.
J. Lawrence Terhune looked at his
watch and said:
Really, l had no idea had spent
so much time. Here is my card. Kind
ly favor me with list as soon as
possible. Quote your lowest prices as
l will 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-,
scribed as the handSomest private Of
flee in New York, and his trained eye
unconsciously estimated the value of
the fixtures to be no less than five fig
ures.
"Ah, good morning Have you your
list? Good I'll refer it to my agent
I hope you have remembered my re-
quest to make the prices reasonable
l will not be bothered with haggling"
"Mr. Terhune. them prices quoted is
dirt cheap. Why, l takes my oath
and l wouldn't mean it no more sacred
ly if l was to drop dead this minute
that every quotation is as low as you
can get them anywhere, even if you
was to import 'em yourself"
The auctioneer took his leave.
J. Lawrence Terhune chuckled, lit
cigarette, and proceeded leisurely to
examine the list. One hundred and
eighty-seven separate items-surely he
had not examined so many! A sum
total of $3.50. j. Lawrence Terhune
laughed softly carefully folded the doc
ument. and put it in his pocket.
A few days later a toop-shouldered
slovenly individual shambled into the
auctioneer's place, and handed over
grimy card bearing Mr.. Terhune's
name, asked to see the "chim-gracks"