Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-01-18
[From the Boston Olive Braneh.l
THE DIAMOND RING,
or,
The AStrOlOger'S Stratagem.
A TALE OF BOSTON IN I7T5,
BY OLIVER OPTIC.
CHAPTER |.
THE GOLDSM MITHS' SHOP.
BY OLIVER OPTIC.

annals Ol our COuHlIy-tIeTe was located IN |
Newbury street, large wooden building, the 9
ground floor of which was occupied by y jew
elers shop. Over the door, in what would {
now I've termed rude letters, were inscribed
the name and occupation Of the inmates {
"Dewrie & Wadeck, Goldsmiths."
1t was the dayalter the battle Of Lexington
A few excited Colonis,S haj gathered in
the shop, discussing the particulars of the
affray, the details Of which were slowly spread i
ing through the town. The affair had a start
ling effect. The fires Of patriotism, which
burned brightly in thousand hearts, were all |.
ready to burst out. 1t needed but such an act
as that at Lexington TO multiply events tor the
page Of the historian.
The group in the Goldsmiths' shop seemed |.
TO be of one mind, The vigorous proceedings
Of the COMMITTEE Of Safety" were warmly
approved. All were eager for the strife, which .
should inform the mother country that her
American Colonies were the homes OF men,
and not of Servlle vassaS, who would patient
ly submit TO be Scourged.
Behind The counter stood the senior OF the |
partners, silent, but listening with N,emsc in |
tereSt to the discus ion. Some DrootIug care |
seemed TO have gathered over his mind, and
closed up the deep channels Of his heart, for
1t beat not IN unison with those Vi The group. |
JOHN Dewrle was no patriot HIS soul was
TOO narrow 10 admit any sentiment higher than
the love of self. Ten years Of stirring times
had added but one care 10 his buaLle Of world
ly vexatonS. He was Ticl-hs mind aud
heart were absorbed in his money bags. The
lear of being deSpolled Of his treasure was q
soulce OF more anxiety to him, than the lnva
sion oil his coua:ryS liberties. dis sOrdid
S0ulwas unmoved by the oppression aud ty-
ranny which had reused hlS CQuniTymen 10
acllon-lo arms. He was identified with no
c0de oi principles, nriher those Of liberty nor
OF loyalty. HIS money fasS were his all IN
all ana Ee was willing to eSpouSe The cause
OF Inc party which Promised hlm the best pro-
tecllon IN The possession OF his wealth. Th1S
lar, In his inability TO decide the question sat
lSlac only, he had remained neutral, or rather
had rupture with either party With anxious
Soilcltude he watched the signs oil the times,
and having no prejudiceS either way, he was
Impartial IN his judgment.
While the group were thus discussing the
question, they were interrupted by The en-
trance of a young man, scarcely iwenty-one
years OF age-a nephew Of the senior partner
His dress was dsOrGered, and he was appa-
Ienty exhausted by The fatigue Of recent
journey.
The young man received hearty greeting
from the excited group, but his uncle appear
ed TO regard him wi,L timid reserve,
"Well. Rob-" sald one If the rroup, "you
nre from Lexing,on2n
'T am the 6rst blow has been struck-thc
country is all in arms"
"Tell us about the fight, Rob, the fight
Did the IN la do their duty like men ?"
cay, soldier and civilian" replied The
tculsrs or The affair which are az familiar as
household words 10 every American.
"Uurrah for the militia or Massachusetts p
shouted one of the more enthusiastic Of the
listeners when the yn,,ng MAN. had comnlel.t
his narration, no' '"0 ''N' '''" ''NN ~
"Gentlemer cept1emep LET me eptraal Won
10 he caul,oms rnm forget Tia, the town j,
full of Rri,ish soiI;s,r . soid The pru1ent Jobr
Dewrie. beginn;ng tn tremhJe lesi the entbu.
siasm Of the gronH yIonIJ comnromise his ow,
standing with the loyolists.
$50 i iS-a curse rnon them But if tber,
is anv me,r;ng in tha ni,hl;c sentiment O
Boston. thew Will Soon h.. driven oulI
every hkely bnt Won know there IS moth
ing TO be gained bv imnrndencp - returned t!i,
goldsmith.
"You are over coutious Mr. Dewrie."
III is necessary 10 be culGluI III llGS
trouhlous tines >;
"Too much prudence will make YOU trait
or to The liberty Of these colonies" and tn
speaker bestowed n most uneouiyocal snee
upon the timid goIdsmith.
az wish we'll io nv co,,ptrvn renlied Dew
rie. in a Cawning tone mand 7 only ask he
ssns and na,r,otS to use = little nrniencr an
foreibougLt Yes / w;s,' wnii tonv corn,ry. =,
"Bnt not IN yonr k;n"p ~ eycIoimsd n taI
elderly man ,y..,r'na s tbs. uricor,n oT = H,it,g
officer, wIo a, tbis n'nroont an,.led IN. Shor
"So. This is the head nnorteTs If rebeIIion'
apd the sneaker cost n Glance or starn inonir
at the praun '''' = S'''''' - 0'''" '''''
"No. God forbid w exclaimed the goldsmith
raising both hands in n G4nrrca,ory SesIure,-
we are all IoyaI ci,i1ens, CoI, PoweiI,n
"Av. IovaI, saiJ one of the groun. nb,
liber,v or deatb III I;hertv ot he EnoliS
subject. or the death or 1he notrio, marlyr
"Beware ! citizens. vonT sneech sovogs
re5ellion.n said Col. Powell. with roenacir
resture.
ais II rebellion cir to insist unon the ma
ural rights fthe Enaiisb snhisct 9' said RoI
=, 'o" " t"o S"e no" o"NJ~"' H "