Polly in New York, Page 3

  CHAPTER III--FURNISHING THE STABLE

  "Anne, if we hurry and get the furniture, we can settle our home beforeschool starts," suggested Eleanor, eagerly.

  "If you-all had only let me ship my stuff from Denver you wouldn't haveto buy a stick!" declared Mrs. Stewart.

  They were standing on the corner waiting for an uptown car but not onewas in sight. Anne showed signs of impatience but exclaimed at hermother's remark:

  "Mother, you know very well what the crating and freight would havecost, and you sold your stuff for more than it was worth. I think youare most fortunate to have that little roll of money on hand, when youconsider the wear and tear your furniture has had in the last thirtyyears."

  "Anyway, Mrs. Stewart, I don't want Victorian period in our house. Pollyand I want to furnish and decorate our own rooms as we like. This is tobe our first experiment in real artistic work," said Eleanor,comfortingly.

  Polly nodded her head at these words; but standing with her back to thecurb, her face was opposite a large show-window in the corner building.Now, as if by some magnet, her eyes were attracted to what that windowcontained.

  "Why, just see there! Right near our street is a furniture shop!" Withthis exclamation, Polly ran over to inspect the objects displayed in thewindow. A carved four-poster, and other rare antiques, drew theattention of the little group.

  Polly glanced around to see what furniture shop it was that was so neartheir new home.

  "Why! It's an auction place. Surely, it cannot be that such wonderfulthings are sold in a junk room," exclaimed Mrs. Stewart.

  That made the other three look also, and Eleanor added: "It doesn'tfollow that just because this is an auction house, that it must be ajunk room."

  "Well, I never saw anything but awful junk in the second-hand place inOak Creek," explained Polly.

  "Even the Denver dealers sell only junk, Nolla. But it may be differentin New York. Everything seems to be different," said Anne.

  "Of course it is! Why wouldn't it be when you stop to think of it. Inthe first place, no one in Oak Creek ever had anything but junk to sell.And in Denver, where everyone hangs on to every stick they have, simplybecause it is so difficult to get anything worth while, the poorsecond-hand dealer starves for want of trade. But here, as well as inChicago, folks send stuff to places like this for sale, when they can'tfind a place to move into. I just bet there will be thousands offamilies that will have to sell out this year just because there are notenough homes for all of them." Eleanor's logic was sound, and Pollyventured a suggestion.

  "I'd love to go in there and see what they do with such pieces. Thereare lots of well-dressed people going in--come on."

  Nothing loath to see the interior of a New York second-hand shop, thewesterners went to the front door. There a colored porter stood andbowed politely.

  "Sale goin' on in third room, right, ladies; have a catalogue?"

  As the uniformed attendant offered Anne a pamphlet of about twentypages, he waved them inside out of the doorway. Then he repeated hisdirections to the next couple who followed directly after Mrs. Stewart'sparty.

  To say the four friends were astonished at the size and quality of theauction-rooms is speaking mildly. Not a piece of furniture but lookedrare and expensive. It seemed improbable that it all was for sale.

  A second attendant now came up and said: "Sale now going on in southgallery, ladies."

  Then Anne took her courage in her hands. "We have never visited a salebefore, so you will confer a favor by showing us where to go, or what todo. We are about to furnish a house."

  The man sensed a good customer, and gallantly showed them throughseveral well-stocked rooms until they reached the last, where a smilingsmooth-tongued individual sat behind a raised desk and spokeconversationally to the crowd which sat in rows before him.

  "Jake, find me four chairs, in a hurry," whispered the man who wasconducting Anne's party.

  Without confusion and in a moment's time, Jake carried over fourwonderful Jacobean chairs, two in each hand, their backs to each other,and handled as recklessly as if the fine carving was made of unbreakablemetal.

  "Now, ladies, enjoy yourselves," the smiling attendant said; then hestopped for a moment at the desk to say a word to the auctioneer whocontinued his selling as if no new victims had been introduced.

  One marvelous article after another was brought forth and placed forexhibition upon the Persian rug that covered the platform in front ofthe audience. And one after another, the objects of art and beauty weresold to different buyers at a preposterously low figure.

  But the wily auctioneer took notice that not a member of the newlyarrived party was bidding on anything. He decided that this must not be,so he stood up to address the assembly.

  "Friends, I know that you are here to buy and not to waste your time inmere curiosity. If there is any particular article you need, or haveseen on the premises, speak out and I will oblige you by introducing itin this sale."

  He glanced over the crowd and finally allowed his gaze to rest upon thefour who sat in the front row. They all felt guilty of using his timeand room when they had no idea of buying any particular thing. Mrs.Stewart was about to whisper to Anne that they had better go whenEleanor spoke up fearlessly.

  "I saw a four-poster in the show-window before I came in. Is it forsale?"

  Her three companions felt the shock that is experienced when one does anunusual or unexpected thing. But they each felt thrilled, too, at thecourage of that one.

  "I regret exceedingly, my dear young lady, that that particular set ofantique mahogany cannot be sold until day after to-morrow. In fact, onlythe contents of _this_ vast room is for sale to-day. We take them inturn, you see. To-morrow the adjoining room goes, and the day followingthat everything is sold and cleared out of the third room--where the bedis."

  "But we have a four-poster in this sale, Mr. Winters," quickly said oneof the floor-men.

  "Ah, indeed! Perhaps the young lady will like it as well as the otherone. Bring it forward, Joe."

  Without the slightest delay, the floor-men then pulled and pushed a veryelaborately carved four-posted bed out upon the dais. It was similar tothe one in the window but it was smaller, this one being four feet widewhile the one on exhibition for Friday's sale was full sized.

  The auctioneer spoke of all the points about this particular piece offurniture, and then began to offer it for sale. The four visitors in thefront row sat as if hypnotized at his manner.

  "What, no one here to appreciate this marvelous work of other days, nowto be sold for three hundred dollars?"

  Not a sound encouraged him, so he sighed and said: "Well, is thereanyone who will give two hundred for it?"

  Eleanor's heart thumped. She was willing to give it but she found hertongue cleave to the roof of her mouth at the very idea of securing thebed at such a price.

  "Too bad! Then I shall have to ask if anyone will pay me one hundreddollars? Is this bed not worth that to you, young lady--or perhaps youneed a full-sized bed?" The auctioneer looked at Eleanor but failed tosee the dazzling glint that shot into her eyes when he offered the bedfor one hundred. He really had no hope of starting it at that figure sohe over-did it that time.

  "All right, friends, I am perfectly willing to have you set your ownprice on this magnificent piece of carving that is no less than ahundred and fifty years old. Now what is your pleasure? Fifty, forty,thirty--what? did I hear a bargain-hunter say twenty-five? Oh,impossible?"

  Eleanor almost fainted at such a dreadful sacrifice, and would havestood up to offer him the hundred, had not a man in the rear called out"Fifty."

  "Ah, that is better--thank you. Now, fifty, fifty, fifty--who saysseventy-five? I want seventy-five--fifty, fifty, fifty, fif--fif-tee,tee, t-e-e--what, no one here willing to pay more than fifty dollars forthis bee-u--utiful bit of antique mahogany? Fif-fif-fif--Ah!"

  Eleanor swallowed hard, half-stood up, and the auctioneer caught her eyeat last. He smiled, acknowledged her express
ion, and now called:

  "Seventy-five! I now have seventy-five, seven, seven,sev-sev-seventy--seventy-fi-ifvvve! I have seventy-five dollars for thiswonderful mahogany bed that is really worth seven hundred dollars in anystore to-day. And I only have seventy-five dollars bid. Seven-tee----"

  Again Eleanor half-stood up and this time she managed to say "Onehundred, please!"

  "Thank you, young lady--you certainly understand fine furniture. I amnow offered one hundred dollars by one who knows the value of thisbed--one hundred, one hundred--hundred--one, h-u-ndred dollarsoffered--who will give a hundred and ten--only ten more gets it?"

  Polly was so amazed when Eleanor said "One hundred dollars" that shegiggled hysterically; but not wishing to have her friend brag how "shebid at this auction and her friends were too shy," Polly lookedanxiously at the auctioneer. He saw that look and understood.

  "Don't hesitate, young lady. You know 'he who hesitates is lost'--inthis case, loses a great bargain. If you wish to bid, never fearcompeting with a friend. In this business there are no friends--all menare strangers. Shall I say one hundred and ten for you?"

  Polly nodded eagerly and smiled broadly at Eleanor. The two girls wereso delighted with themselves at daring to speak out so bravely in a citylike _New York_ that they failed to realize the auctioneer had knockeddown the bed to Polly.

  "This young lady in front. I _must_ say she appreciates fine furniture!"declared the suave auctioneer to everyone in general.

  "W-h-y, Pol--le-ee! Is that your bed?" gasped Mrs. Stewart.

  "I'm sure I don't know. Is it, Nolla?" laughed Polly.

  Just then a brusque voice said: "Name and address please--andtwenty-five per cent deposit money." The girls looked up inbewilderment. Who was the man?

  He seemed to read their thoughts, for he smiled. "I am the cashier.Everyone has to pay down a cash deposit on their bids. Everything youbuy has to be removed by Saturday, or we are not responsible for itafter that."

  "Oh!" Polly and Eleanor looked at each other. They were trying to figureout how much money he wanted.

  "Here--I'll pay the deposit. About thirty dollars, isn't it?" said Anne,in a business-like tone.

  "Yes, thank you. Now name and address, please?"

  "What's the number of our stable, Anne?" laughed Eleanor.

  When Anne gave the address the cashier looked surprised. "Oh, have yourented the Studio down the street?"

  The girls bowed wonderingly, and he added: "The artist who lived therefor a number of years, used to drop in here every week just for theentertainment of picking up curios. In fact, I saw him here a fewminutes ago. He told me he would give fifty percent advance to thetenant who leased that place. Here's a chance for you to make money ifyou want to give up the Studio."

  "We want a home more than money, mister!" declared Polly.

  "You've said it, Poll! If we give up this studio we may have to go backand live in our gold mine, because New York hasn't any homes left, thisyear," laughed Eleanor.

  The cashier had not missed the mention of "our gold mine" and determinedto do his utmost to please these ladies. Hence he whispered: "I'll lookafter everything you buy here, and don't worry about moving it away onSaturday. Next week will do, if you are not ready to get things out thisweek."

  "Polly, Polly! There goes a high-boy that matches the bed you got!"cried Eleanor, at this moment.

  "They are pieces of the same set. Strange to say, they came from thevery place you rented. The artist has to sell out because he cannot findan apartment, and there is no storage room for his furniture," explainedthe cashier.

  So Polly secured the high-boy for sixty dollars and felt very proud ofher purchases. Eleanor bought a pair of brass fire-dogs and irons, andAnne bid on a large etching. When it was knocked down to her, she turnedto her mother and said: "I really do not want it. What under the sun didI get it for?"

  And Mrs. Stewart laughed. "It's always the way at these vendues. Onegets all kinds of things one never needs."

  "Then let's get out. Girls, I'm going now," whispered Anne, rising toleave.

  The cashier hurried over when he saw the four new customers about to go,and said, "The artist would like very much to meet his successors to theStudio."

  At the same moment, a grey-haired gentleman bowed and smiled, and thegroup waited expectantly. Anne and Polly smiled also.

  "You are the kind friend who advised us, yesterday, when we had to leavethe car," Anne said, pleasantly.

  "Yes, but I never dreamed I was directing you right to my front door,"rejoined the artist.

  "Well, Mr. Fabian, as long as you've met before, I'll go about mybusiness," and the cashier hurried away, leaving the five people in theadjoining room.

  Anne proceeded to introduce her friends and then added: "It wasprovidential that we went through that street. Now we have a home to ourliking."

  "I am delighted that my successors will appreciate the place, but I amstill seeking for quarters. Had I choked my anger and swallowed mypride, when the owner refused to keep his word about the stable-doors, Iwould still be enjoying my cozy Studio."

  Mr. Fabian then told the ladies how he had taken the stable in its rawstate and turned it into the lovely dwelling it now was. He had paid forall the hardwood floors, for the partitions on the ground-floor, and forthe kitchen plumbing.

  "Why, it must have cost you a small fortune," ventured Anne. "And now itseems too bad that you can't enjoy it."

  "But I did enjoy it, my dear young lady--for five years. And I only paidsixty dollars a month, during that time, too. When the owner raised me,this year, to ninety I rebelled, because I had spent so much money onbeautifying the rooms. I thought he would really relent and say I couldhave it for about seventy-five a month. I was mistaken."

  "We're paying a hundred and fifty a month and make all repairs,ourselves," Anne ventured.

  "He took advantage of the unusual conditions. But you have a betterbargain, even so, than if you had rented a seven-room apartment, uptown,for two or three thousand a year."

  By this time they were standing on the corner once more, and Mr. Fabianseemed ready to leave them. Then Polly remembered that the cashier hadsaid the bed and high-boy she just bought had come from the Studio.

  "Oh, Mr. Fabian, excuse me for speaking of it, but did you really ownthe four-poster I got at the sale just now?"

  "Yes, my dear. It was in the room my little daughter occupied when shewas home. She is now in Paris taking an art course." The girls weredeeply interested in this intimate information. "That box-spring withthe mattress on the bed was made to order of the best material I couldbuy. You'll find the silk-floss in that mattress is so soft you'll nevercare to get up, once you rest upon it."

  "But I didn't know the spring and mattress went with the bed," Pollysaid, amazed.

  "Oh, yes. That is the way they generally sell other folks' goods. But Iwish to say, that Nancy only used the bed a few weeks, as she had asplendid opportunity to enter a class in a friend's school in Paris, sowe started her across without delay. My wife went, too, to look afterher; that is one reason I refused to pay the increased rent; I thoughtit was too much for one lone man to pay."

  "It almost makes me feel as if we ought to take you in to live with us,"said Mrs. Stewart, sympathetically. "If there only was one extrabedroom, now, we could make you a member of our family just as well asnot."

  "But we haven't that extra room!" laughed Anne, wondering what thisstranger would think of her mother's free western hospitality.

  What he thought was soon expressed. "I certainly appreciate such unusualkindness and I see it is genuine. So I will dare to do this: I shalllove to drop in, now and then, and see how you all are doing. Perhaps Ican be of some assistance to you, in various ways."

  "I know you can!" declared Eleanor, eagerly. "Polly and I are taking upart and interior decorating and we need lots of ideas from grown-ups whohave had experience. You can advise us that way."

  "Begin your regular home visits a week from Sunday
, Mr. Fabian. We willbe settled then and ready to welcome you to our house," added Anne.

  Then they parted and Mr. Fabian went downtown, while the four companionswalked northwards to the hotel. As they walked, Anne said: "It certainlywas queer how that gentleman sent us past his own home and we saw it.Now, he turns out to be just the kind of a friend Polly and Eleanor willneed to advise them about art school."

  "Anne, what shall we do with the rest of the afternoon? We still havetwo hours before dinner-time," said Eleanor, glancing at her wristwatch.

  "We can go over to the nearest shop and get Polly an everyday hat. Ican't bear to see this lovely one hacked out at auction rooms. She needscomplete outfits of underwear, too, but we may be too late at the shops,for that."

  "Anne, I saw in the paper this morning, when you were looking forapartments, that a fine Fifth avenue shop is having a sale of early fallmodels. Let's go up and get Polly's hat there," advised Eleanor,eagerly.

  Anne laughed. "You are willing to get one for yourself, too, eh?"

  So both girls were supplied with chic hats before they returned to thehotel. There they found an invitation from the Latimers to come,informally, and dine with them that night. Dr. and Mrs. Evans would tryto come in later.

  "It's now five-thirty. Can we get dressed and make it, in time?" askedEleanor, anxiously.

  "Oh, yes; we haven't far to go, you know. A taxi will take us there inten minutes," replied Anne.

  All was hurry and bustle, then, and when the two girls emerged fromtheir rooms dressed in their new gowns, Anne felt that they did hercredit. She could not but remark at the great improvement that clothes,well-fitting and of fine material, made in Polly's appearance. Now thegirl looked positively beautiful.

  A pleasant evening ensued, Jim and Ken insisting upon the right toescort the ladies home after everyone had said good-night.

  "You know, girls, Ken and I are going to Yale next week?" said Jim, asthey started down Broadway.

  "So your father said, to-night. We will miss you, Jim," returned Anne.

  "But we'll be home every chance we get--Thanksgiving, Christmas andother times," Kenneth said, hopefully.

  "Nolla and I will be awfully busy in school, and in trying to getstarted in the art classes," added Polly.

  "I hope you have the stable settled before we leave the city. We want togive you-all a house-warming," said Kenneth.

  "That will be great! Let's have it, anyway, even if everything is not inapple-pie order in the house," exclaimed Polly.

  So before they parted, that night, it was all arranged that thehouse-warming should take place the next Tuesday evening. The boys wereleaving for college on Thursday, and the last few days before startingin the new school, would be busy ones for the girls.

  "All right, we'll tell the folks the fun is on for next Tuesday, then,"said Jim, as they shook hands.

  "And it must be a regular surprise, you know--we bring our ownrefreshments and everything," laughed Kenneth.

  "Oh, no! That is the least we can do in return for all you folks havedone for us. We will furnish your refreshments!" declared Eleanor,positively.

  "As long as you furnish plenty, all right. But remember, girls, that Kenand I still have our Rocky Mountain appetites!"