Show Dy By Richard Hill Wilkinson MRS RS Southern was desperately In need of money and so when she came across the Currier and Ives print she thought right off that It might be possible to sell the picture pic picture pie pie- ture tune to a collector for a considerable sum The pointing painting was dusty and specked fly and encased in a heavy antiquated gold frame b but t she carried it down to the kitchen and cleaned It as best she could and then called in Burt Its been In the attic for years she explained other had it a D along along long time ago And And you know some Currier and Ives prints are worth fortunes Burt scratched his chin and scrutinized the barely distinguishable distinguish distinguish- able signature He nodded slowly You might get something for it at that he said Its a Currier and Ives all right and its it's sure enough old Oh Burt wouldn't it be wonderful wonder wonder- ful If It we could Why it would just solve everything Burt grinned Well theres there's no harm in trying More I look at It the thc more I think it might bring a price Tell you what Ill I'll do Ill I'll call Moe Moo Avery Hes He's a collector and hell he'll buy it if it its it's worth anything So Burt went to the phone and called Moe Avery Hell be here a hs nrY j t a III h f U 1 Mrs Southern held her Lr breath ath while ho he bent to study the painting in an hours hour's time he told his wife wIre a moment later Wed better not get too optimistic though Probably turn out to be worthless Oh Burt you dont don't think it will Why Why Why-why why Id I'd be satisfied if U it brought 50 Ought to bring that said Burt Ought to bring more However no use in getting optimistic Mrs Sothern sighed Fifty dollars dollars dollars dol dol- lars she said Think of ot it Just think of all the things we could do But there As you OU say I mustn't get optimistic That's best Burt agreed dEven d. d Even 25 is a lot of money to us They talked about the prospects and possibilities both pro and con undergoing various sensations o ohope ot of hope and fear and optimism and misgivings until finally the doorbell door doorbell doorbell bell rang and Burt admitted Moe Avery Moe Moo was a brisk and efficient little man He greeted them briefly briefly brief brief- ly and then produced his glasses How long he asked has this print been in your family Oh ever so long said Mrs Sothern I Ive I've Ive I've rather lost track Hum said Moe Youve been saving it Yes said Mrs l Sothern weve been saving it The collector removed his glasses glass es carefully returned them to his case and put the case into his pocket His Ills face wore a doleful expression He sighed heavily Im afraid he said that I cant can't offer you enough to make it worth your while to sell Im I'm sorry S SHE HE SAID striving to keep her voice under control Just a minute Mr Avery We do need the money and Ive I've gone to the he bother of ot carrying it way down stairs stairs- stairs stairs- Mr Avery hesitated No he said presently I cant can't do it It would be robbery Tell you what Ill I'll call a collector friend of at mine and send him out Mrs Sothern felt a little panicky What if U the collector friend L t. t pay them anything After all Mr Avery knew them and was bound to be sympathetic The collector friend might be merely an excuse Mr Avery looked fr from m one to theother the theother theother other of them Well all right since you insist But dont don't feel leel insulted insulted in in- in suited at my low figure 1 realize what you have here all right Don Dont Don't mistake that But ready cash is scarce and its it's the best I can do Mrs Sothern had visions of 3 even 2 The suspense was making her nervous She said Well what wha is your offer Mr Avery The Tha collector took a deep breath O 0 K Now remember and dont don't throw me out Its It's a rare print print print- we all know that that but but the best I can offer right now is 1300 Thirteen hun hun hun- Burt tried to catch his wife before she hit the floor Ioor But he missed She was conscious conscious con con- again when the doctor ar ar- rived Shell be all right the doe doc said in a few minutes Must have go goa got gota a slight shock Well Ill I'll be running running run run- ning along Merry Christmas Thanks said Burt Yeah Merry Christmas Yeah Merry Christmas Yow Yowl MERRY CHRISTMAS I You betl bet |