Adventure, December 1914 — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

30 in the shop. Beautiful cloisonné enamel, articles in mother-of-pearl, lacquer, and champlevé enamel crowded splendid little koros, or incense-burners, vases, tea-pots. One could feast his eye on enamels, in- crusted, translucent and painted. Some were the work of the famous Namakawa of Kioto, others of Namakawa of Tokyo. Satsuma vases, splendid and rare examples of the potter’s art, crowded gorgeously em- broidered screens with the sacred Fujiyama rising in the stately distance. “Is there nothing in particular I can show your” reiterated Nichi, eager to talk about his wares. “‘N-no,”’ hesitated Kennedy, ‘‘at least not yet, thank you.” As we walked about slowly examining the articles, Nichi busied himself about the shop, always alert to answer a possible question and clinch a possible sale. Now and then I glanced at him covertly out of the corner of my eye, so as not to let him catch me scrutinizing him. He was a small, wiry chap, like many of his race, with an impassive, expressionless face and beady, watchful eyes. The more I looked, however, the less I felt that I knew or could know about him. I can not say whether it was the very blank- ness of his features that impressed me, or whether there was something there which we of the West could never fathom. ah worked our way toward the back of the shop when I heard Craig re- mark as if in surprise— “Why, Walter, look at these perfectly stunning Mexican curios over here in this corner.”’ I followed his gaze and found that, sure enough, set apart from the other things, was indeed a very passable collection of Mexican objects of art. There were objects there that told of both the ancient and modern in the wonder- land to the south of us. Little figures of clay depicting all phases of the life of the people, made in Guadalajara, basket-work, and beadwork were interspersed with antiquities, a few idols, ornaments, jewels and utensils of the Aztecs, Toltecs and Mixtecs. The attentive Nichi was hovering close behind us. “T have heard that you are interested in KENNEDY and I had gradually Adventure Mexican art, too,’ ventured Kennedy, turning to him. “Indeed? Who has told you?” inquired Nichi deferentially, but with well concealed curiosity. : “T have many friends from Mexico,” hastened to explain Craig. ‘Some of them meet down at the Mexican cabaret. I suppose you are acquainted with the place? Ihave heard your name mentioned by them now and then, and I determined if I was ever in this neighborhood with a few minutes to spare to drop in and make the acquaintance of one whom they valued so highly.” “T am delighted, I assure you, to make your acquaintance,” responded Nichi, ‘‘and I hope you will thank my kind friends down there. Whois it that you know?” he asked, not committing himself. “T can’t say just who it was that I heard mention your place,” replied Kennedy guardedly, “but I know several of them— Senora Ruiz, Sefior Sanchez, Mrs. Hawley— oh—and of course Sefior Alvarez who has just come to New York.” “Yes,” responded Nichi, “I have been in ° Mexico and the art is—what is it you call it—a hobby—with me.” ‘Senor Alvarez seems to be exceptionally well-informed on the antiquities,’ continued Kennedy. “Ves,” agreed Nichi colorlessly. ‘“‘I in- tended to expand my business and deal in Mexican articles, too. This was the be- ginning. But,’’ he added with a shrug of his shoulders and a deprecating smile, ‘‘this unpleasant affair with your country came along and—well—I scarcely think Mexican things will be popular for some time, un- fortunately.” “A remarkable man, Sefior Alvarez,” persisted Kennedy, seeking to draw Nichi on. ‘A diplomatist and a scholar, at once.”’ ‘‘There is much culture in Mexico which you Americans do not know,” ventured Nichi, adroitly changing the subject. He was inscrutable to me. Kennedy gave up for the moment the attempt to lead the conversation lest he might arouse sus- picion. Evidently he considered that Ni- chi’s welcome was too good to spoil by forcing it. We turned again to the Japanese objects, as perhaps less risky for the present. As we wandered toward the other corner of the back of the shop, Kennedy noticed, behind comicloool< C@