EASTON, Md. — An old painting dropped off at a rural Maryland Goodwill turned out to be a work by a French Impressionist. And now, thanks to the sharp eye of a store employee, the charitable organization is $40,000 richer.

The Parisian street scene, left at the store in March along with daily donations of pots, pans, old clock radios and other items, turned out to be a work by Edouard-Leon Cortes, probably from the early 20th century. The painting — called "Marche aux fleurs" or "Flower Market" — was sold for $40,600 at a Sotheby's auction a few weeks ago.

"It could have very easily ended up put in a pile, marked for $20," says Ursula Villar, marketing and development director for Goodwill.