Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-08-16

llUn Cl tle Cdtet de CjtdMbTe, who was The
companion and confederate OF the prince
1t was c5certained that they had de-
camped in coach, from the door Of tine
hotel. Every exertion was made TO trace
them out, but several years elapsed before
they were discovered The jeweller, who
was nearly ruined by this robbery, remo-
we'd to another quarter of Paris, and estab-
lshed himself under a new name. One
day a messenger called on him from M.
r, a gentleman holding an official
siuation, who was very i'll and wished 10
/ purchase some rings. The poor jeweler
bad naturally became suspicious ever since
/ his fatal adventure with Prince Gargarn
and, instead of sending bis shopman, he
took the ring himself He was shown into
a bed-chamber, which was partially light
/ ed, owing TO the situation of the windows,
| the room was all in shade, except in that
where the bed stood. What was the sur
/ prise OF the jeweller when he discovered
! in the invalid NJ. T, the swindler,
who had some years previously defrauded
J him in the assumed character of the Rus
sian Prince Gargarin! For a few moments
/ he was struck dumb with anazement.-
/ However, he recovered himself, and deem
ing it prudent not TO betray the discovery
he had made, he displayed his rings; seve-
raj were selected, and their prices amount
ed to about six thousand francs.
''lt is large sum of money for a poor
/ ruined man." said NJ. r, 81 have not
ready cash sufficient to settle the whole
] | phon E,,1 AlI II
take in payment this curious old snuff box,
which is of great value"
He asked for his dressing case, and OPEN
ing If, took out an octagon shaped China
snuff box, set in gold and rubics. 1t was
perfectly unique and Of inestimable value.
On bcholding it, the jeweller well nigh
betrayed himself. The snuff box which
Nj. r presented to him was one which
had been stolen from him few days be-
fore the robbery Of his diamonds. The box
was too remarkable TO admit of the posi-
bility OF mistake. Besides, it had a secret
spring, by means OF which all the mnia-
lures could be taken out of their settings,
| and on the reverSrs were painted similar
subjects, but treated in the style Of indeli-
CaCy peculiar TO the age of Louis XV.-
This circumstance was important in proof
of bis claim TO the possession of the box.-
When Nj. r asked him to set value
on it, he said, without hesitation--
81 consider it worth more than fifty
thousand francs"
"tIity thousand francs" exclaimed NJ.
t, Il thought it valuable, but this far
exceeds nv estimation of it.n
Sir" resumed the ieweller, 81 will not
rctract what have said. am an expert
dealer, and TO me il may possibly be worth
/ far more chan the sum | have fixed.
will make this proposition TO you: you
| shall take the rings you have selected, and
/ you shall put the box under an envelope,
stating 1t to be my property; and if it does
not bring more than fifty thousand francs,
/ you shall have my rings for nothing.
NJ. r was completely blinded by
this deep laid scheme. He was a good
connoiSseur of objects of ritu, ana he was
not little gratiied to find his boz so much
overvalued, and to be enabled 10 obtain the
rings without opening his purse. The
most exaggerated valuation Of the snuff boz
would scarcely have exceeded seven or
eight thousand francs. He sent for two OF
| his neighbors, one OF whom was a notary,
and the matter was arranged contormably
with the jewellers proposition. This be-
ing done, the invalid said
"Who will fix the price of the box %
"Iou, sir" coolly replied the jeweller
"AIe you are testing"
'Eassure you, Sit, | am quite serious.
would willingly lay good wager that you
| viii value the box at five hundred thou
sand francs"
NJ T directed at The two witnesses
a look which seemed to say, the man j.
mad but the jewelIer added
"You will value it at that price. an
certain you will. Bat first OF all have tc
acquant YOU with a circumstance connect
ed with this boS, which will enable yor
to perceive its real value"
Nj. =, full of curiosity and anxiety
consented TO hear the jewellers commun
cation in private. The two neighbors IA
drawing room; and NJ. r and th,
Iicweller being left clone, the latter said
"Sir, il is now about sixteen years age
since that snuff box was stolen from me
and short time alter you robbed me o
fifty thousand crowns worth of diamonds
under the assumed name of Prince Garga
rim. | have now discovered you. NJ,
evidence relative to the robbery is on re
cord. You have declared the snuff box II
be yours, and can prove having purchas
ed il at public safe. know a sec.e
} which viii place the truth Of my assertion
beyond doubt. Now, sir, tell me whe
thcr you are inclined to defend yourself il
the criminal suit which intend forthwith
! to institute against you.'
Every word uttered by the jeweller fel
like a thunderbolt on the ears of M. r
Overwhelmed with the consciousness O
his guilt, his Imagination pictured all tn
f horrors of imprisonment, trial, sentence
: and The scafiold. He reflected, and tn
iewcller said
"s'r, T give you five minutes to forr
2 you, determinations.