The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1869-11-10
Lucky at Last.

a.a.s pa Lucky at Last. lsa.e .a,
Some years ago ] knew,a lapid-
ary who gained a considerable for
tune bysa great .inisfortnnesS An
excellent workman, honestsasS the
day, Montin had but one fault; he
was too fond Of good wine, which
caused him to neglect his work
sometimes for days together, to
the great dissatisfaction of his. em-
ployer, who in all other respects
valued and esteemedshim highly,
both for his skill and prebity,
One day sMontin received from
his master a diamond of the finest
water to cut and polish, with stric.
recommendations to keep sober un-
til the work was finished.
81 rely on your actiyity,n said
the ieweller 0 n giving him the
stone. "I must have it without
fail on the 18th instant and if you
disappoint me this time, it will be
the last you will have from me-"
Montin promised exactitude,
asked, as was usual with him, part
of his pay in advance, and set him.
self oourageously to work. Under
his skillfui hand the diamond soon
began to show forth its beauty in
q few hours it would have been
flushed, when, unfortunately for
Montin's resolutions, q friend call
ed on him, an old comrade who
had been long absent from Paris,
what could they do but take a glass
together2 Arrived at the cabaret,
the time passed quickly away, and
Montin thought no more of his un-
finished work. sa.ra - q. ...--,..,
During the morning his employ.
er came to see how the polishing
of the diamond proceeded. The
concierge assured him that Mon
tin had only just gone out, and
would not fail to return directly,
as he h a d for some days been
working steadily and .unremitting,
ly. Only half satisfied, the jewel,
Ter went away, to return in two
hours, and to find Montin still ab,
sent. Convinced ne was at the
tavern, the master charged one o:
his men to. seek him, end induce
him to return to- his work. This
was done, and Montin, grnmbling
between his teeth. quilted his com
rade, and ascended to his work
shop; but his head was no longer
clear, nor his han d steady. 1Tc
add to his trouble. the diamond
became unfixed; he seized it has
tily to replace it; his trembling
fingers gave a jerk-and, by {
strange fatality the precious stont
few out of the window Soberet
in a moment by this terrible acci
dent, Montin continued gazing ou
of the easement as if petrifed, hi
pale lips murmuring the word
".lost lost4 lost ps e& so T1ATs
For more than an hour he re
manned almost motionless, and wa
only ronsed from his 'lethargy b,
the entrance of his master. % .sa. :
"Is 1t thus you work, Montin 2
exclaimed he /; [" three times hav
Icalled for the diamond, and yo,
spend your time at he tavern
Give me the stone must have il
finished or unfinished" ~ 30.
Montin looked wildly at hir
without uttering a word. 1wrr.s
"What is the matter with You
asked the jeweller. "Why don
you answers Have You drunk a
Your senses swayp .,i., sl' ra4 e
The lapidary tried in vain {
speak. His tongue seemed par,
dysed. At last he rose, and hidin
his face in his hands, murmurc,
"It-is-lost'i'' .'i rsia,It,Is
Explain yourself. What b.
happened pr' bes 50 HATE 81
"Out of the wiidow,,aq
"What whenYer 'ga = 2
"Tbe stone" ".'' :, - 's's..st
." Wen, well, we'll /; tell me WI,
has occurred a+H7'aa,eahA y s,sis
&c !" The stone few ont, t.'gs'.s + 60
II was now the tarn Of the ma
ter to become silent with astonis
ment then, furious with rage
cried, !" i don't believe d word e
your. story; You have sold my. di
rnond TO pay for yotr dissipation
.sSThis accusation was the cossp !.
grace for Montin. He fell faintif