The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-14

aud her sight was dazzlcd she ardentiy longed
To -'win and wear" them hcrself--but how
When a woman makes up her mind To have any
thing, from diamond 10 a man, she is seldom
at loss TO attain her object. The jcsuitica
code that the end Justlhes the means" Is hers
aud il was adopted in th. case. On a certain
day previous to "grand Jam" the lady friend
sent over to the rich merchants daughter and
apoIogizing fcr so singular request asked the
loan of the car rings for a single evening, to
wear at ball. The lady wondered, but reluc-
family granted the use Of them on condition
that they should be returned without fail on the
following day, as she wished to wear them her
self They were not retnrned the next day, nor
the next, and the next week came, but no ear
rings. AT last her patience. was exhausted, and
she sent a servant to the house of her fashion
able lady friend, with message requiring their
instant return. They came, withan excuse tor
their detention, ana kissing the sparkling gems
the happy owner put them away among her
other dear souvenirs.
About week after this, her father calling
upon her, asked to see her earrings" those
which he had given her" They were produced
but no sooner had he looked at them, than he
uttered ali exclamation of surprise and indigna-
ton.
"What is the matter, father! !" inquired the
daughter. lea
"Hwe you allowed these gems to go out of
your possession Z" be asked.
" Yes, father" replied the now agitafed girl
81 loaned them to Mrs. -, for one evening
to wear at -- grand ball"
Were they returned the next day."
No. she kept them week and more"
Sand has stolen the large centre stones, and
substituted worthless paste in their stead, calmly
replied the father.
"Paste! surely you are joking"
{" You shall see" replied the merchant and
ringing the bell, he desired the servant TO 90 i'm.
mediately for Mr.. -, the well known iapi
daire. He soon obeyed the summons, and al
once corroborated the opinion of the merchant
The valuable diamonds had been tuken out, and
paste put in their paces--and strange to tell
the change had been made by himself; Mrs
--. he said, had brought the earrings to his
store and left them with the order for the change
to be made He was surprised to see the ear
rings in the possession of Mrs. --, and still
more surprised at the order for the alteration he
was required to make-but knowing the ex-
| travagant habits of ladies of fashion, he had
come to the conclusion that the daughter of the
itch merchant had disposed of the jewels to her
| friend, and that she was about to dispose Of the
principal jewels to supply some cxtravagant
! wish. After the circumstances had been OK
| planned to the jeweler, they left the daughter
in tears, and proceeded, accompanied by officer
----, Of the - ward, to the aristocratic
residence of the highly respec able and fash.
ionable lady,"
| The jeweler and officer remained below in the
hall, while the merchant was shown up stairs
where he found the fair Mis- iete tete witt
gentleman of elegant exterior, and well known
as dashing young blood about town. The
lady received the merchant with many smiles
and the young gent taking his leave in a few
moments, Mrs.-was very anxious in her in
quiries after the health &c, of her "dear friend
the daughter of her visitor
Tho merchant did not listen long to these
compliments, but showing the earrings, in plaiI
terms openly accused her of the theft of tn,
diamonds. The lady was indignant--insulte.
would "ring the bell and have him elected
from the housew The merchant endeavored t.
persuade her to be quiet and save exposure, Blu
to no purpose--so going to the head of tn
stairs he called the jeweler When the lady saw
this conclusive witness brought against her, sh
at first proceeded to faint but thought better o
! it and acknowledged the theft. She sternIy de
MED having the diamonds in her possession, ant
it was not until the officer made his appearance
with "a star glittering upon his breast" that sh,
could be brought TO remember what she haC
done with them. At last, with many tears anC
much blushing, she revealed the secret. Sh,
had the diamonds taken out and pawned them
giving the amount so procured to the mic,
| young man" who was tete a-tete with her The
merchant then informed her, that unless sh'
took speedy means to redeem the jewels, anc
place them again in the hands Of the rightfu
owner in the same condition as they were wher
she obtained possession of them, he should b.
obliged 0 reveal all to her husband In vair
she pleaded and begged-all would not do
And the merchant left with the jeweler, satisfy
ing and closing the mouth of the officer with
golden plaster" The next day the diamonds
were forthcoming, reset in the earnings, anC
the lady il few weeks threw all upper tendon
into an excitement by the announcement tina
the delicate state of her health demanded n tril
to Europe and none, save those directly inter
ested, know tie real reason for her tour, an'
still less that the nice young man. sailed il
the next steamer to make (" the tour" ALSO
We have not told all the story. There i
something yet behind--but coming event
east their shadows before"