Year: 1869

Of MIR. Ralph Hardman with violin box
under his arm. He purchased neck-tie,
for which he paid fifty cents, and then
asked permission to leave his box while
he did few crrands down town. Hard
man was dealer in new and secondhand
clothing-had no objection.


at Is VIOLIN" said the gentleman,
(which ! prize very highly. 1t was CIV
on me by an old Italian who died at my
fa,hcr's house. I beg you win be careful
oft SIR"


Hardman promised, and the owner Of
the precious violin departed.


Towards noon, while the old clothing
dealer was busily engaged in the work Of
selling n suit of shoddy for Prussian tricot
q stranger entered the store. The violin
box was in sight upon tho shelf, and as no
one was near to prevent, the new conner
slipped around, opened the box, and took
out tho instrumental very ancient look
ing one.


"IIallo !" cried Hariman, when no
heard the sound of the violin. "What for
you touch datP"


The stranger explained he was pro-
fcssor-a leader Of on orchestn-and that
he could never see a violin without trying
II. And then he drew the bow across the
strings, playing fine old German waltz.


my soul!" he cried, after ho had run
HE fingers over the instrument n while.
.this Is the best violin I ever saw ! There
Is not better one in the city-a genuine
old cremona will give you hundred
dollars for It,"


Hardman said It was not his.


II will give you hundred and fifty-
two hundred"


Mr.. Hartman was forced to explain
how the violin came to bo left ut his store.


Tho stranger had taken out his pocket
book, and drawn forth two one hundred
dollar bills. He put them back remark
ing:


III must have the violin II money can
buy Il. When the owner returns, you
will ask him to meet me here ut six o'clock.
If he cannot do that tell him to call mt
tho Office of the Treasurer of tho Academy
of Music, and inquire for the Director of
the Orchestra. VIII you do It?


Mr.. Hardman said he would.


But" suggested the stranger, '.you
need not tell the man what 1 have said
about his violin, nor what have offered,
because he may have no idea Of what u
treasure he possesses. You will be care
full and circumspect."


The stranger went away and Ralph
Hartman reflected. In the course of an
hour the owner of the violin returned and
asked for his box. But the shoddy man
had been captivated by the golden halt.


What would the gentleman sell his vio-
lin for?


At first the gentleman would not listen
to the proposition; but after deal Of talk
he confessed that he himself was not q
professor, and could not well afford to
keep such valuable instrument.


He would sell 1t for one hundred and
seventy five dollars, not penny less.


Ralph Iardman paid the money and
became the legal possessor Of the violin,
ready to take anywhere from three to five
dollars from the director of the orchestra
rs he might be able.


But the director did not come. At the
end of u week Hartman carried the violin
to professional friend, and asked him
what was its real value. His friend ex-
amined 1t and said


1.-TWO dollars and half without the
box"


Ralph Hartman was strongly Of the
opinion that the gentleman who left the
violin in his care was swindlcr; and
that the director was partner in the bu-
sincss, and that, together, they had made
him their victim. That night shoddy was
marked up ten per cent.