Avon Fantasy Reader No. 7 — page 117: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GUN | — 113 “Two thirty-five,” said the auctioneer, “A connoisseur has just entered the bidding, a gentleman of the old school who knows real values. I am offered two thirty-five for these marvelous implements that are as good today as the day they were first forged and which cost the owner perhaps as much as seventy-five or eighty dollars. Two thirty-five; who'll offer five dollars?” “Two and a half,” called a man from the rear. “Two-fifty, who'll give three dollars? Who'll give two-seventy-five?” “I will,” said John Parker and from that moment on remained quiet. ee The auctioneer blustered and cajoled for two or three minutes and finally 3 received an offer of two dollars and eighty-five cents and sold the andirons. He scowled down on John Parker, for the latter was not unknown to the auctioneer. The auctioneer’s assistant brought up a beautiful statue of a nude woman holding a bunch of grapes over her head. It was solid marble and had un. doubtedly graced a pedestal in the home of Harrison Phillips for at least fifty Or sixty years. an The fat auctioneer scowled at the marble monstrosity and waved it away. He rummaged about on the long counter for a moment, then brought out a huge horse pistol. : | eee | “Gentlemen,” he boomed. “I say, gentlemen, for this item will interest a very few women, but it should delight the heart of every man present, Ss especially those of you who are collectors. Gentlemen, I offer for your pleasure one of the finest items in this entire valuable collection; a dragoon pistol in pertect condition. This beautiful old gun, gentlemen, was the major factor in the winning of the west. It may even have been in use during the late Civil War, although you would not think so, judging from its perfect condition. That is due to the fact that the late owner was a real collector and kept his 4 treasures under glass, taking them out only to clean. Now, gentlemen, I am not going to insuit your intelligence by asking you to start bidding with one dollar; I am not going to waste your time with such nonsense, because you know and I know that this rare old dragoon pistol will sell for many times that. So who'll give fifty dollars?” ae _ There was absolute silence in the audience and the auctioneer, clapped a fat hand to his forehead. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, why are you here? Because it’s cold outside and it’s raining? No, it can’t be that, because the weather is beautiful and the sun is shining. Because you’re tired and want to rest. your conicbooks.cona