Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-09-08

The Paris correspondent of the New
York World gives some interesting
particulars of an ingenious swindle,
peTpetrated upon one of the leading
Paris jewellers, by person who repre-
scented himself TO be the Chamber
lain of the Queen of Prussia. People
sometimes remark, that there is more
swindling i'm this country than IN any
country IN the world; but the truth is,
swindlers will grow up where there is
money to be obtained, Just so surely as
flies will gather around mOlasseS. The
truth Is, from the natural aversion of
man to honest labor, one half of man.
kind rs constantly using their wits to
devise some plan TO chisel the other
half:
In the month of February, Monsieur
Cramer, one of the most celebrated
jewellers of Paris, received letter
sealed with the arms of Prussia, of
which the following is a copy:
MOSsIEUR:-H Her Majesty the Queen of Prus-
sia intends 10 create n special decoration for
distinguished women of all countries. Ny
sovereign having had occasion TO admire the
Jewels coming from your workshop, deigns to
cOnfide to YOU the execution of the models of
the order which Ent proposes To Create. AS
in the cases of all Prussian decorations, there
will be three classes of crosses. The first
class will be necessarily the most brilliant, and
her Majesty allows you ten thousand francs
for this workmanship; four thousand dollars
for that of the second class; and two thOus-
and.tiye hundred francs for the third class
Can You furnish Us, within very short pc
Rod, these crosses, set IN diamonds, accord
ing To the designs which will send to you, if
the affair should be decided upon?
COMTE ScHAFFG0TsCH,
Chamberlain of III. MI. the King of Prussia.
The Partisan jeweller was both fiat
tered and delighted to undertake snch
a magnificent commission. He replied
immediately, accepting gratefully the
orders which might be contided to him.
Some DAYS afterwards the Chamber
lam seut che designs executed by the
Queen herself, who, added he, had whit
ten underneath the sketch several notes
with her own hand.
The most entire secrecy was recon-
mended, as the Queen did not wish that
the creation of this order should be
spoken of before the day for the dis
tributiGn of the first crosses should ar
rive. And, besides, the Queen feared
that the jewelers. of Berlin would be
dissatisfied at her addressing herself to
ParisiaII manufacturers. The Count.
cOniured Nj. Cramer to preserve with
the greatest care the Queens drawings,
as they would be required of him when
the decorations should he completed.
Some weeks after the jeweler sent off
to Berlin cross surrounded with dia-
monds, and in reply he received letter
of fluctuations and an order for twelve
crosses of the first class, which the
Queen destines for ali the female scver-
eigns of Europe. A third letter soon
followed the first two. In this the
Chamberlain advised nj. Cramer to
watch over his wOrkmen during the
whole time of the execution OF the
work, npon the sueeess of which would
depend much more important purchas-
es. As the Chamberlain was a most in
innate friend of the Prince. Hohenzol-
lern, he had obtained from him a most
solemn promise that the. new crown
Jewels of Moldavia should be furnished
by no other than al ACramer. ~
When the diamond crosses were ready
the jeweller wrote to inquire if they
must be forwarded tO Berlin.
"NO," replied Count Schaffgotsch: 81