The southern press., 1851-05-14
From the Ns,o York Dau Book.

Within few days past an affair has come to
our knowledge, which occurred some weeks ago,
but which has been so nicely wrapped up that it
baff1ed even the vigilance of our" Argus'-till u
day or two since hint was dropped that put
him on the trail, and in spite of all attempts at
binding, he has followed it to the end Now
for it:
In splendid @Brown Front" up town, lives
the married daughter of one of o. F. M.-who
not long since had the good or bad fortune to
lose his wfe-not by death-but through the
agency ola kind friend who took her off his
hands by running away with her between two
days-the daughter was presented by Der father
OH her birth dry with magnificent pair of dia-
mond earrings, as balm for the grief caused
by the faur pas Of her mama.
The jewels possessed great value in the eyes
of the daughter, and were only worn on SCALA
days" and at the most recherche reunions given
among the tiptop of uppertendom. A female
friend-also married lady-saw these jewels,
and her sight was dazzled she ardently longed
to swim and wear" them herself--but how |!
When woman makes up her mind to have any
thing, from a diamond to man, she is seldom
at a loss to attain her object. The jesuitical
code that the end justiies the means" is hers !;
and it was adopted in this case. On certain
day previous TO "grand JAM" the lady friend
sent over TO the rich merchants daughter and,
apoogizing FER so singular request, asked the
loan of the ear rings for single evening", 10
wear at ball. The lady wondered, but reuc-
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 moi returned the next day, nor
the next, and The next week came, but no ear
rings. At last her patience. was exhausted, and
she sentN servant to the house of her fashion
able lady friend, with message requiring their
instant return. They came, with an excuse for
their detention, and 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 10 see her earrings" those
which he had given her" They were produced,
but no sooner had he looked ut them, than he
uttered an exclamation Of surprise and indigna.
ton.
"What is the matter, father" inquired the
daughter
"Have you allowed these gems to go out Of
your possession y lie asked.
"Yes, father" replied the now agitaied girl,
loaned them to Mrs. -, for one evening,
TO wear at grand ball."
were IOe1 TetuTUeu TIE UeAb uhy
"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 go i'm
mediately for Mr.. -, the well known lGpi-
daire. He soon obeycd the summons, and at
once oorroborated the opinion Of the merchant.
The valuable diamonds had been taken out, and
paste put in their paces--and strange TO tell,
the change had been made by himself; Mrs.
-, be said, bad 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 10 the possession Of Mrs -----, AID still
more surprised at the order for the alteration he
was required TO make-but knowing the exi
travapant habits Of ladies' Of fashion, he had
come to the conclusion that the daughter Of the
rich merchant had disposed Of the jewels to her
friend, and that she was about 10 dispose OF the
principal jewels to supply some eTtravagant
WISH After the circumstances had been ex-
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 repec able and fash
ionable lady,"
The jeweler and officer remained below in the
hall, while the mercha;t VAS shown up stairs,
where he found the fair Mis- tete tete with
a 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 few
Mrs.---was very anxious in her in-
quiries after the health &c. of her "dcar friend"
the daughter of her visitor
The merchant did not listen long 10 these
but showing the earrings, in plain
terms openly accused her of the theft of the
diamonds. Tho lady was ndignant--insuted
would "ring the bell and have him elected
from the housc!p The merchant endeayored to
persuade her to be quiet and save exposure, but
to no purposc--so going to the head Of the
stairs he called the jeweler. When the lady saw
this conclusive witness brought against her, she
at first proceeded to faint, but thought better Of
il and acknowledged the theft She sternly de-
MED having the diamonds in her possession, and
il was not until the officer made his appearance,
with "a star glttering upon his breast" that she
could be brought TO remember what she had