American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-22
From New York paper.1
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.


Wien there is a scarcity of natural pgeoas,
sporting men by way Of keeping their hands in i,
occasionally pluck one another. A rich case of
this kind in which two of the fraternity, one
southerner and the other New Yorker, figured
pretty consplcuousy, occurred in this city last
week. We give the facts as related to US; III
deed they want no application. The whole
sporting world of Gotham has had pain in the
side for several days past, in consequence OF the
paroXysms of laughter in which it was thrown
by the denouement We omit the names of
the parties, but in other respects the statement
may be relied on as full and faithful.
ltappears that in the early part Of last week
Mr. -, of South Carolina, an ''upper crust'
gambler, arrived in town, with plenty Of the
fluid, for the purpose of betting on the ap-
proaching race between Peytona and Fashion,
and Of picking up any thing verdant thatmight
come in his way, Soon after landing from the
Philadel phia boat he wendell his way to we'll
known restaurant in Park Row, where blacklegs
most do congregate, and for the purpose OF
meeting some of his old acquaintance and
making professional inquiries. He had Just
lighted his segar and was in the act Of raising a
glass of brandy and water to his lips, when the
flash of large jewel on the finger ofone of the
craft who was performing the same operation,
arrested his attention.
"That's fine diamond" exclaimed the
Southerner, setting down his tumbler, and
STOPPING forward to obtain closer view of the
jewel.
eyes" remarked the other, carelessly-"it
ought to be; gave five hundred dollars for it,
and got it cheap at that. wish | had the
value of it now, though for | got regularly
cleaned out at IS, Barclay street, yes
terday."
"What'll you take for it cash down." said
the Southerner, who, like most of his tribe,
is fond of showing bijOuerie, and having Il
pocket full Of rocks, felt remarkably selt-com-
placent.
''Well," said the New York land shark,
speaking slowly, and taking puff at his segar,
at every second word, "as | want money and
you are pretty clever fellow, don't care if |
let you have it at four hundred and fifty dol
lars"
"Say four hundred, and it's bargain"
"Wcll, as it's you, the half hundred dollars
shan't spoil trade You shall have it."
The ring was transferred and the money paid.
BY this time the parties had become the centre
of little knot of knowing ones, upon whose
faces sat a sneering expression, which the
Southcrner, who, like all gamblers, is good
physognomist, perceived and did not RELISH
When the transaction was completed his keen
ear caught the sound Of staggering whisper
which ran round the little circle, and he at once
concluded he was done. He showed no symp-
toms of suspicion, however, but called for
champagne, treated the company, declared
himself delighted with the purchase, and bid
ding his friends good evening, left the place.
Proceeding to the store of an eminent jeweer
in Broadway, he placed the ring on the coun-
ter and asked the value of ''that brllant."-
The ieweller looked at him and smiled. at
is pustc,n said he, "and worth about fifty
cents"
"Have you real stone about the same size
and shape?" said the Southerner.
IL have" was the reply, and beautiful Ia
BILE diamond, of which the mock stone seemed
fac Smiie, was produced
The price was four hundred dollars. The
Southerner then exclaimed that he wished to
borrow it for a few days, and would leave the
value in the jewellers hands until it was re-
turned and pay twenty-five dollars for the use
of it. The proposition was agreed to, the real
diamond substituted for the counterfeit, and the
Soutlerner left the store.
On the next evening he paid another visit to
the restaurant, and found the old party assem-
bled. They all began to quiz him; declaring
that he had been regularly "sucked in;'' that his
ring was not worth dollar, &C., the former
owner ofthe trinket appearing to enjoy the Joke
mofe than the rest.
"Woll, gentlemen" said the supposed dupe,
with a selt-suficent air, ''you may think what
you please; know its a diamond. I've traV-
elled some, and Pm not to be taken IN so easy
as you think for. I'll bet hundred dollars this
is a real brilliant"
The bet was taken up in an instant, the 9TH
ers offered to the amount of five or six hun
bred dollars more, all of which were promptly
met by the Southerner. The stakes being put
up, ont sailed the sportsmen to find jewcller
The first they questioned pronounced it fine
diamond and worth from four to five hundred
dollars; so said the next, and the next. The
betters stood aghast!-it lcas real diamond,