The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-04-24
THE DIAMOND RING.

In populous town, in one OF the mid
land counties OF England, stranger Of a
grceable manners and fashionable exteri-
or frequently made his appearance. He
gradually obtained the acquaintance of
some ofshc mos. respectable inhabitants (;
among the rest, Of a jewelef, rman Of con
siderable wealth, and reputed to be very
knowing in his profession.
Ono day, while sitting after dinner ov-
er bottle OF wine, our friend Of the prec-
ious stone department, whose eyes were
never idle in the way of business, espicd
on the little finger Of his new acquaint-
ance, Il richly chased gold ring, set (apPar
ently) with brilliant of great size, and
ofthe first water. He begged to be per-
lnittcd nearer view, which was accorded
with much politeness by the stranger.
GA magnificisht stone, Sir" said the
ieweller, returning the ring; 6" Il is but
seldom we see brilliant of that size SC
perfectly free from flaw or blcmish."
"You mistake, Sir" said the stranger,
smiling. " 1t is but On inl;tetici stone
yet so excellent one, that the best judy
es have been deceived by its appearance.
How % rcrurned the other, " "A false
brilliant : 1t cannot be. have follow
ed my profession for thirty years, and
never yet have been SO deceived. Per-
NIT me second inspection"
But this only served to confirm his first
impression. "Itcannot be, " he peated
to himself: know good stone when see
it, as well as any man in England and il
that be not one, may never sell watch OF
diamond again !" Then, aloud to the
stranger ;" May ask ii you are inclined
to dispose ofths ring 70 -
No. 1t was the gin Of a valued
friend to me on his death ped. esteem
it almost as highly as if it were, as you
suppose, genuine brilliant, T" And in
truth" he added, with smile, " as shch
articles obtain their artificial vninc merely
from their appearance, this ring being so
admirable an imitation, iis to deceive even
conhoiseur, answers the same purporse
as the purest diamond in the world"
Admirable, indeed" echoed he Of the
silver trade. +" II is treasure. Why,
Rdndell himself might swear to its being a
true stone.''
The best Judges" said the Stranger,
arc az times deceived. can have no pos
sible motive to mislead you in this matter +;
and | assure You, or my word of honor,
that this is false briliiafT"
=. The jsweller knew not what to make o.
it. There seemed, indeed, no possible
motive to deceive hin. He looked first
at the stranger and then at his ring but
the former only smiled contemporary at
the jewellers incredibly and, as for the
ring, it still gave the lie to its owners
words!
twill stake my life on it, thought
the merchant of precious stones" l will
stake my life on il, that he is himself de-
ceivcd as 70 the vdlor ofthe stone, or else
that for some reason or other, he does not
wish others to know it,"
Some days passed, and the stranger did
not recur TO the subject. But the lapida-
ry's thoughts ran continually on the bril-
liant, and every time they met, the tchpta
tion became stronger. AT last he sum
moned courage and asked him Of the ring
ifhe were willing to entrust il to This care
for single day, that be might test its pu-
riiy to his own satisfaction. To this re-
quest the stranger at once assented, and