An Adroit Sell.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 10, 12 January 1870, Page 2

An Adroit Sell.

rS 16 ?? 7 ? S entlem aQ called at the shop of Mr Abraham Isaacs, with a violin caw under his arm He purchased a neck-tie, and then asked permission to leave his box while he did a few errands in the neigh- , bourhood Mr Isaacs-a dealer in new ' and second-hand clothing—had no objection "It.m a violin," said the gentleman, which I prize very highly. It was given me by an old Italian who died at my father's house. I beg you will be careful of it, sir '* Mr Isaacs promised, and the owner of the precious violin departed. Towards noon, a well-dressed man, with a distinguished look, entered the shop. The violin-case was in sight upon a shelf, and aa no one was near to prevent him, the new-comer slipped round and opened the case, and too* out the instrument—a very dark-hued 4 and anc.ent one. "Hallo!" said Isaacs, when from another part of the shop he heard the sound of the violin : "what for you touch dat, eh?" The stranger explained that he was a professor—that he j was leader ef an orchestra— and that he | could never see a violin without trying it. He then drew the bow across the strings, playing a few passages of a fine old German walta "My soul !» he cried, after he had '" run his fingers over the instrument awhile, 4 that is the best violin I ever saw 1 There is not a better in England—a perfect * genuine old Ceremona! I will give yon twenty pounds for it." Isaacs said it was f. 1 * J 4 1 will give you fifty-a linn, dred I Mr Isaacs was forced to explain how the violin came to be left in his shop, ine stranger had taken out his pocket-book, and drew forth a roll of bank-notes. Ho put them back, remarking—" I must hare that violin if money will buy it. When the owner returns will you ask him to wait on_. me? If he cannot wait ask him to meet me here at six o'clock. If he cannot do that, tell him to call at the office of the treasurer of the Royal Academy of Music, and enquire fer the director of the orchestra. Will yon do it ?" Isaacs said he would. " But," suggested the stranger," you need not tell him what I have said about his violin, nor what I have offered, because he may have no idea of the treasure he possesses. You'll be careful and circumspect V The stranger went away, and Abraham Isaacs reflected. In the course of an hour the owner of the violin returned for his box. But the « old clo' " man had been captivated by the golden bait. What would the gentleman sell his vitlin for ? The gentleman at first would not listen to the proposition ; but after a deal of talking he confessed that he was not himself a professor, and could not well afford to keep such a valuable instrument. He would sell it for fifty pounds—not a penny less, Mr Isaacs paid the money, and became the legal possessor of the violin, ready to take from two hundred to two hundred and fifty from the director of the orchestra, as ho .might be able. But the director did not come. Isaacs carried the violin to a .professional friend at the end of a week and asked him what was its real value, before calling on the professor. " Five and twenty shillings, without the case!" Abraham Isaacs was strongly of opinion that tho gentleman who left tho violin in his caro was a swindler, that the director was a partner in the business, and that together they had made him their victim. That night old clothes wont up ten per cent.