The Press., 1921-02-24

! say! Vat you meanY Are you ory- ing o pribe meY' The look of vir- tuous indignation almost convinced the auctioneer that-he had made a unigtake.
 "NO, mol" he hastily assured the man, who gazed at him in a disconcert- ing manner. "But, you see, thought you might make a mistake, and wanted to give you a little token of my esteem" A It sounded ridiculous, and the auctioneer shifted uneasily as he mathematical the eyes that seemed to bore holes through him.
 "Oh! So, to you-my eSteem two l hundert dollars is vort'Y' :.
 The auctiOneer had the grace to turn red. .-.... r,
 "For two .hundert dollars. I, ahould pass on a lot dat for mora dan twice vat 1t is VOrt' has der prices down marked1 Vat said der gOOn sOng9 T don like no sheep man." and ho leered cunningly at the auctiopeer.
 "Well What's 1t worth?' ""Oh Of the bill, ten per cent Is der usual amount, but ve will say seven hundert and. fifty, dollars in circular figures.
 There was a little more cOnversa- ton.
 "All right. When get Mr. Tor hune's check I'll give you mine"
 evil yOu?" said the agent. '-sNo. you villn't. got no use for snecks; also, do strictly gash bizness. Now der money. and Meester Derhune ,Rets a rebOrt; now no money, and he gets a rebOrt. Elder way is vOn."
 The auctiOneer demurred to some extent, and then went to the safe end ] produced some bills
 Seven hundred is all got" Gerstensang counted them carefully.
 "All ride. You want recivet" he , inquired. "No7 Ach-!-' will make a rebOrt to Meester Derhune dat will ' bring tears to your eyes"-and he de- :. parted.
 The auctiOneer waited 8 week. and then went to see Mir. Terhune That i gentleman was busily engaged with certain papers, and hardly needed the others oily salUtatiOns. "Well, sir! What can I do for youT
 "Did you get your agents reportP
 q did" The words were OminOus in their brev1ty.
 The auctioneer fidgeted and stam- mered. "I have been expectin' to hear from you"
 Have your We'll, you need wait no longer" He handed the auctioneer a well-remembered piece of paper. There was the list of 2S7 separate items-a sum total of $TS39-and underneath, in a cramped German hand:
 "I beg to report that the articles is all for more than their value quoted l; they are bogus most of them. "Gerstensang."
 The auctiOneer grew livid.
 "Why, what in h. did he mean? He told me he'd make a satisfact'ry report"
 Did he?" inquired MT. Terhune. "WhyT'
 "Where is your d. agent?"
 "My man, you forget yourself! shall have to bid you good morn ing"
 MT. Terhune turned to the papers on his desk.
 He's a cheat, a rObber, thief, swindleri" screamed the auctiOneer with vehemence.
 "My dear sir, are you crazyF Ihave known Gerstensang all my life, and would rely absolutely on any report he should make"
 The auctiOneer gazed at MT. Ter hume, and his ruddy face paled. Again he met pair of eyes that seemed to beat his glances to the earth and read him through to his brazen, sordid, de- ceitful soul.
 "Why-I don't believe" he stam- mered. 'There never. was no You're Gerstensang himself" he shrieked, fairly dancing up and down in impo- tent rage.
 MT. Terhune Sprang from his chair.
 "Do not compel me to have you elected. Cop
 The auctiOneer had no alternative. He went. There were tears in his eyes.
 J. Lawrence Terhune sank back fin his chair and smiled as he gazed thOughtfully at his bank pass-bOOk. wherein was the following entry: Il .............S.............7OO 700