All American Picture-buyer

An American artist tells this story of a fellow-oountryman who interviewed him in one of the Italian galleries : "American! oh, I ani so glad. Let me ask you some questions. I have been buyiug piotures. Can you teil me whether or not I have been oheated ? - They are about so large" - holding his hands in various positions to indicate the different sizes, - " and cost so much" - naming the prioe of each. " Do you think I paid too much Y" The artist, being unwilling to disturb his equauiinity, replied that it depended a good deal on circumstances, but hp thought it most likely he had not paid more than was right. " One more question, Mister," he exclaimed, anxiously, as the artist was about to resume his work. " Certainly, sir." " Do you thiuk" (leaning over him, and gpeaking in a lower tone), " do you really think, Mister, that these Eye-talians put good materials into their piotures 1"