The Empire County argus., 1855-10-27
Diamond Cut Diamond; or the Doors Done.

A very singular affair came off in New York,
about twelve or fifteen years ago. At an hotel in
Broadway, famous for the excellence of its liquors.
little boy came in with very fashy looking ring,
and wanted to dispose of it. Every one present
examined the trinket, and few thought much of it,
1t however struck the eye of gentleman, who was
known by the somewhat singular appellation of
Squeaking Johnny.
"How much do you ask for that ring ?" asked
that individual
Give dollars"
'Ill give you two dollars for it,"
cts very hard" said the boy "but suppose l
must do itn
The two dollars were paid, the ring taken and
the boy departed.
The purchaser of the ring went home His bro
ther saw the bauble, admired it, and asked how
much he would sell it for.
"Well, Charley said he, 81 gave five dollars
for it; it's worth great deal more: you shall have
it for seven"
The bargain was struck, and the ring once more
changed masters.
The next day Charles went to Harlem. There
he met with Mr. A., who also became exceeding
ly tickled with the ring, which by the way was
taking affair, and much taste displayed in the for
nation.
''What will you take for that ring 2"
"Well, don't particularly care about it; you
shall have it dog cheap"
"How cheap!'
"Twenty-fve dollars
The matter was settled and the ring passed into
the hands of Mr.. A.
The next day the last proprietor drove to town,
and going into the store of fashionable ieweller,
he asked the value
''Its worth one dollar and half" said the mer-
chant.
Mr.. A. was thunderstruck Recovering himself
he said "Can you take out the stones which Of
course are'-
'Paste, sir.n
"And insert diamonds in their place ~
eyes"
"How long will it take you, and how much will
it cost ?r
Il can do it in two or three hours, and it will
cost forty dollars"
''Do it as fast as you cam
Within the given time the diamonds were sub
stituted and Mr. A. returned to Harlem.
On his arrival he found the two brothers. and
several New York bloods assembled. He was greet
ed with low whistle, and divers gyrations of the
fingers were performed by resting one thumb on
the nose, which gave the fingers full latitude to
perform all sorts of circles in the air.
''How about that ring :" asked John.
"a very pretty ring" said Mr.. A., land great
bargann
Eyes the stones are diamonds"
'Ill bet you hundred dollars of it,
'Why, you know, perhaps"
"No but don't believe it, and I'll Let hundred
dollars they are not
"Done.n
"Done."
The bet was taken by Mr.. A. on one part, and
the two brothers on the other.
''In what way shall we decide % asked the two
brothers.
"Well leave it to any jeweller,n said Mr.. A.
The party Immediately set off for the city. On
arriving at jewellers, the stones pronounced
diamonds. The brothers were not satisfied. They
wished to go to another jeweller.
''Are these diamonds " asked John at the next
store.
81 think they are. but can't tell without fling
them"
30, you must ask that gentleman, he is the pro-
prietor."
Mr.. A. gave consent.
"Smash it to pieces" said John.
The ring was filed.
"First rate diamonds" said the Jeweller. II
The modification of the brothers was great
Not so much at the loss of the wager, but at the
fact of their parting with diamond ring upon
such easy terms