Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-12-12


The jewel merchant was remarkable look.
ing man; Giovanni aim st forgot the business he
had come about as he looked upon him. He
seemed to be between fifty and sixty years old;
his stature could not be called TALL but his frame
was sinewy, and indicated considerable strength.
| His features were rather small and well shaped,
liz up by pair OF the most extraordinary eyes
that Giovanni had ever beheld. They were large,
dark and intelligent-years had failed TO abate
| their radiance, or render their expression less
striking. Age had wrnkIed the jewel ner
chants brow, and grizzled his hair, once black
as the ravens wing, but it seemed to have no
power over that intensely bright eye, which il
the language OF Byron, "was in itself a soul"
1t seemed as if the clear comprehensive ance
Of Signor Alonzo could pierce at once into the
very heart Of those he gazed upon and defy their
widest efforts 10 keep secret from him even
thought The strangers manner was likewise
singular 1t was courteous in the extreme, yet
it ever gave the idea that its smoolhness was as
sumed, that there was something OF fdlSetto in
its sweetness and in tie bland tones into which
very deep and powerful voice was habitually
moulded. The most Indifferent observer must
have felt conviction that there was strength and
harshneSs too beneath this polished exterior, and
that command was more the natural language oil
that voice than entreaty. He addressed Giovanni
as an equal, but evidently accounted the trades
man in whose warehouse they stood as very
much his inferior. He purchased the Jewels, aud
paid for them at once without asking Tor any
abatement in the price demanded aud, after some
conversation on Transactions 10 which the subject
naturally led, he Invited Giovanni TO accompany
! h IN to his residence. where he said he had some
roierahle Jewels, which he should be happy TO
show hrl
the temporary dwelling Of the Jewel merchant
was large house which had remained uninhab
ted for many years 1t STOOD in busy part Of
the city. surrounded by court with high walls
and a neglected garden. Warehouses, shops.
and ,urishing market had arisen near it; but
though the agent left in charge Of it was repeat.
eddy applied to by persons wishing to purchase
the site for the purpose Of turning it TO some
profitable use, the answer always was that the
owner had no intention OF parting with il. But
the jewel merchant had arrived provided with d
letter to this agent, requesting that the keys
should be delivered 10 Sgnor Alonzo Voarino,
aud that he should be allowed to occupy ii while
his business obliged him 10 remain in Genoa.
Giovanni was not wanting IN bravery, nor
was he naturally Of superstious temper; but
as they entered the building, sensation akin to
apprehension stole over his mind. He observed
that, before leaving the courtyard which opened
: into the street, his companion carefully locked
and barred The gate, and that as soon as they
were within the house he took q 81 nilar precau
| ton with respect to the door. The only light
that penetrated into the hall in which they stood
was the twilight that struggled Iaintly through the
painted glass Of a small window on the stair case.
All within was dark and >Ieat aud the cllng o.
the door as it closed seemed to fnd an echo in
, every room and gallery Of the empty manson.
A moment suhired to re assure Giovanni, and TO
convince him that his vague alarm was gro1ndless
He had nothing about INN which could excite thi
cupid.ly Of any one, for his Jewels were already
a in the strangers possession, and their purchase
money remained with the creditor for whose ben
eff they had been sold. He resolved the conduct
. Of his host into eccentricty, that potent name
under whose sanction so many folles have beef
y admired aud so much vice excused.
He followed his new acquaintance, therefore
with more OF curiosity than anxiety, and alte
A lraversng long fight Of stairs and wide cor
rider, they entered an apartment whose dimen
sions could not be easily ascertaned, for the fir
, that had burnt on the hearth was reduced 10
few half eXtingulshed embeIs. A thick wa,
\ candle, however, was INN ediately lighted, ant
n placed in silver candlestick OF rare workman
ship, which certainly bore the air Of one o
those usually employed in the worship Of TIT
Roman Catholic Church. Giovanni then saw
that the chamber was of moderate size, the walk
covered with tapestry, faded and fast droPPin:
TO decay, and the furniture, some very old, and
some of humble materials and more modern
date, had evidently been hastily gathered togethe
TO fit up the room as temporary lodging fer tn
, stranger. He politely requested Giovanni to b
, seated, and, drawing from a recess a small ebon!
z cabinet minated that it contained the Jewels O
i which they had spoken.
e They were indeed worth inspection. Brave
4 after drawer was opened, and each seemed t
i surpasS the last in the splendor and value Of it
o contents. Diamonds, rubies, amethysts, pearls
y :. erads, topazes, sapphires, and many other
' less commonly known, were there in proluson
$ some few rough as from the mine, some cut AM
s polished, but the greater portion set in every in
|; aginable variety OF lora and style, and the eye
y OF the jewel.merchant flashed like his own geE'
. as he spread them before the astonished yolst
If and descanted on their merits.
"lhesa rubies, Signpr-ah, it was fair nec'
that wore them last, but death shows no respect t
u he taireSt; there was eXtruvagant son IN l.,
case, too and 10, the rubes are here. And hi
chain of diamond how it flashed and sparSled /
G. thu dark hair where it destined 10 shine b.
,r one these pearls and those empraldS have hi'
r torres too, but IT is all gone aud past now The
~ things are best fnrgulten-heSt forgotten sal
> AUazo, he prepared 10 arrange the G ms
:" he ara Wer>, previously to closing the cabinet.
y but, SiguOr. pardon me, there j. one aver
u which we surely did not examne--that to yOl
re left hsnd: may ask to what it contains :"
For a monent the eve Of the jewel-merchaI
nj p.ared upo his que W tn an expression that wa
oC absolutely ferncious, but it was immediately will