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Show WHAT" MADE IT VALUABLE 'H Unique Explanation Made by Portu- jH guese "Antiquarian." , H John C. Groom, captain of the First IH City troop, while In Porto Hlco during H tho war with Spain, undertook to pur- 'gg chase some relics of historic Interest jH that should servo as souvenirs of the JH campaign when he roturned home. He H ran across a shrewd Portuguese who JiiV had been doing a thriving business as 1bI an "antiquarian" with other members H ot tho troop; and bargaining at onca H began. The fellow's assurance was H developed boyond anything CapL H Oroom had ever beforo encountered; j and there waa placed on display a fine jH array of Jewelry, weapons, manu- jH scripts and odd articles ot attire that 'M wero patently "fakes." Groom shook H his head and wns turning away when H tho "antiquarian" recalled him with H an assortlon that ho had a pistol which H was originally tho proporty 'ot Chris- H topher Columbus. He added that it 1 had been In the keeping of a Poruvlan H relative for many years; and CapL jH Groom asked to sco It. Ho was shown H a revolver of modern pattern, dingy JH and rust encrusted, with tho hammer H snnppod as though In tho processes ot H "antlqultatlng." jH "You rogue!" exclaimed the Phlla- M delplilnn, amused but Irritated at hav JH lng been calloil back. "Ilevolvors wors jH not mado In Columbus' day!" VH "SI, senor I know! I know!" ex- jH plained tho Portuguese. "And that, H gracious senor, is what makes this so H rare!" Philadelphia Ledger. M |
