The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-08-18
Had His Teeth Cut
After All
20. 1921. Westsrn Newspaper union.l
b HAROLD sINcLAIRE

81 HAROLD sINCLAIRE
20. 1921. Wsstsrn Newspaper Union.)
John Marsh was going to the city,
and his friends at the village general
store were apprised Of the fact.
They were quaint, old-fashioned fel.
lows, In the main, and they shook their
heads obviously when John told airily
of his determination ITO see the
sights" He laughed at their serious
warnings
"Oh, rye got my eye teeth cut I"
boosted John.
"You didn't have last time, when
you bought that gold watch for fifty
dollars" submitted old Abel Grimes.
THAT was the usual entrance fee,
you see" explained John, but coloring.
''They won't catch M the second time.
You all got wild when l bought that
stock In the Golc0nda gold mine for
q dollar q share. Now it's two, and
paying q big dividend. Besides, Lucy
will be with me-"
John Marsh was very proud Of Lucy.
Well he might be. His only child, she
was his idol. Also that of every mar
~riageable young man in the town, espe-
cially Vincent Darrow-but Of that
later.
She had taught school for two
years, for her father was by NO means
a wealthy man. In fact, outside Of
some two thousand dollars, invested
safely, as he supposed, he had only
the small farm where he lived, at the
edge Of the village.
He had high hopes Of Lucy. however.
For a year she had been attend
ing q city art school. he was going
after her now, to bring her home for
vacation. One more year, she had
told him, and she would be able to
produce. something that the people
would pay for.
John had q very neat idea in his
mind. he fancied. as he reached the
city early the next morning. He had
q part Of the dividends from his
mining stock investment in his pocket,
and he planned to make Lucy a hand
some present. To make it a surprise
and a pleasure for her, he determined
to get her something in the art line.
"Real high art" he explained to a
man he net just outside Of an auction
store to which he had been directed
you'll find 1t here" declared his
chance acquaintance.
Some really valuable pictures were
being offered for sale, but only a few.
They had been concealed in various
packages, seized and were nov offered
for sale. Johns companion must have
conveyed some hint to the auctioneer,
for when the latter put up a gaudily-
framed daub, designating 1t "a rare
MISSIONER" the man nudged him.
John got the picture for n hundred
dollars. s:a II
He kept the picture wrapped all the
way home, Lucy by his side. 1t was
fortunate that he was not looking at
Lucy later, when he proudly exhibited
his purchase.
Yes, father" she said, in a subdued
and disappointed tone. 1T is quite
quite attractive, and--the frame is
very bright and new"
She did not tell her father that he
had been swindled. A week later he
had something else to think of. The
Golconda, after paying unearned divi-
dends, blew up, and honest Johns cash
surplus was consumed. Lucy painted
evenings, and on her fathers birthday
presented him with her first finished
canvas.
'Why, say" observed the old man,
whats the matter with ripping that
old daub out of place-fOr / know now
that it is one-and using the frame,
which is pretty fair for an auction
frame, after all?"
This was agreed to. Her lover by
her side and her father regarding
them indulgently, Lucy. began to re-
move the old canvas from its frame
backing. To her surprise, as it came
free, there showed under it a second
canvas.
.Why, Lucy" began her puzzled
lover.
s'Oh, Vincent" interrupted Lucy, in
a delighted gasp-"it's a real Corot y
whats that?" said her father.
"A gem-almost priceless" declared
Lucy, who knew art when.she saw it.
"See-signature and all"
IT all proved true. In some way, I'M
doubtedly, n of the pictures con-
cealed by the foreign shipper to evade
paying duty, had got mixed with the
ordinary stock of the auctioneer.
John Marsh had to take another trip
10 the city the next day. He accom-
panied Lucy, carrying the precious
Corot III a grasp that he was de.
termined no thieving miscreant
should break.
An art connoisseur paid fifteen hun.
dred dollars for the treasure. Lucy
was able to resume her art studies
her engagement with Vincent was
shortened, and John Marsh was able
10 gloatingly declare that he chad his
sye teeth cut" after ALL
Portable Elevator 4 Space Saver.