Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-10-21
Stlttttb Miseellanu.
THE lost DIAMOND;
AL WolliThat Ends Well.

ghined nconsiderable fortune by great
misfortune; Anexcellent workman, hon,
no was too fond Of good wine, which caused,
ham to.neglsct his work-sometimes for
,t.ys together, to the great dissatisfaction.
of his employer, who in all other respects
valued md esteemed him highly, both fSE,
ljs skill And pr0bity. ac e.7dE
0Oue day Moutin received from his mas,
tor n diamond f0f the finest water to out.
and polish, with strict recommendations
to keep sober until thawork was finished.
''I rely on your activity" said the jewel;
have it without fail on the 18th instant;
and if you disappoint me this time, it will
DO the last you will have from me-" @,
Montini promised exactitude, asked, a.
WIS usual with him, part of his pay in adj
vince, and set himself courageously TO
work. Under his skillfal hand, the dis-
,nond soon began to show. forth its beauty;
in O few more hours it would have been fin
ished, when, unfortunately for LontiA&
resolutions, friend called on him., an Old
cpmrade. who had been long absent from
Paris; what could they. do but take q glass
together? Arrived, at the cabaret, the time
passed quickly away, and Montin thought
no more Of his unfinished work.
During the morning his employer came
to see how the polishing Of the diamond
proceeded Tho, concierge assured him
that Montin had only just gone out. and
would not fail. to return directly, a. be had,
for some days been working steadily and
jeweller went away, to returntin two HOUSE,
and to find Montin still absent Convinced
he was ,.nt the tavern, the Maater charged
one. Of his men; TO seek him, and induce
him to return to his work. This Was done,
and Montin, grumbling between his teeth,
quilted his comrade, and assembled 70, biz
workshop; but his head was no longer cleasS
nor his hand steady. TO add to his trouble,s
the diamond became unh9ed;' he seized il
hastily to replace it; his trembling fingers
gavc jerk-and, by strange fatality, the
precious stone flew out offthe windoW!4
Soberetl in Amofnent by this terrible acct.
dent, Montin continued. gazing out Of th6
easement as if petriied,t his pale lips murl
muring the words s1ost lost! iost!'.sF Ei""~-
For more than an hour he, remained al
most motionless, md -was only reused
from luis lethargy by the. entrance OF his
.Is it thus you work, MontinY' exclhiml
ed he; three times have I called for the
diamond, and ych spend your time at ~
tayern.a Give =, me the stones must, hASa
it, finished or unfinished" -;
Montin looked wildly at him without
s Whst s ss m naH xs AithiI yo au ,.,ea
the jeweller 2''Why' don yoa answefSZ
Have-you drunk all your ssnsesF awayP" "a
The lapidary tried in vain. tospeaki His
tongue seemed paralyzed. At last he rose,
and hiding his face in his hands, murmur-
ed, .'It-is-lost!'
ed?"a e
out of the window" ~ = - -
What! when?'
1.-The stone." % $500
well, well, we'll; tell me what has occur
red"
t.T4f stole awoui, :; u /
come silent with establishment: then, fur.
ious with rage, he cried, II don't believe a
word OF your story; you have sold my dia-
monh to pay for yonr dissipation" "s1 J,
This accusation was tho coup de gyuce for
Nj min. He fell fainting at the feet of his
master; ard y W yas net y. yithput difficulty
thatlhs,y4 I4caAS d tals; Of rather u %
despair which amounted almost to mad
ness The jeweller, who understood what
was passing In hin mind. tried, to console
him, and at last succeeded in rendering
him more calm.
1T is most unfortunate accidont.sns
doubt. said he, "but it1s9dt ttp6a&bi4.R
You do not, then, believe that sold
v"rr diamond for drink" said MONTH, Gag
erly.
Ne. no, Month"; yoa must forget what
lfsaid' in the first moment Of anger, and let
ns try to find a remedy for the misfortune.
The diamond was worth GOO; you must
1aau m klo bn1 - A..
out OF your wages, which, when you work
regularly. amount to CO or CA a-week.-
With industry and sobriety you will soon
get out of debt"
From this time will work steadily, "
said Month, with tears ID. his 49,. :You
shall -, SIR, that though I have been 8
trunkard am not thief"
II believe yon, replied the jeweller, II
have every confidence in you; you are q
good workman; will furnish YOU with
plenty of work, and in few years YOU will
he right again. Well! will that suit YOU"
'Oh yes, sir! only tell me once more, that
you do not think sold the diamond" !
II repeat. on my honor, that only said
so in the first moment Of anger. 1 am
convinced you are an honest man--in fact
fprove it by trusting You with more work."
"Yes, sir, thnt'is true, and promise you
will not disappoint you. I will repair my
fault; the lesson has been severe, but It
will not DO without its fruits"
Montin kept his word-he rose early,
was replaced by another, which was polish.
'' as if by enchantment. Faithful to his
proinise, he went no more to the tavern,
and became model Of steadiness and in
dustry. At the end Of tile year no had
paid considerable part Of his debt. Six
t.;nn months passed thus, when one fine
morning in May, having finished his work.
hn placed himself at the window, and
watched the boats passing and repassinR
On the river, which flowed close to the walls
OF the house. Suddenly, his eye was At
'ractcd by something bright glitterinR on
the extreme edge OF an old chimney. What
"as his surprise to discover his half-polish-
rd diamond! It seemed rs if a breath would
pfecipltate it into tho water beneath; and
yet there II had been for 10 many months
suspended between heaven and earthl
At this sight his emotion became almost
as great as On the day when he had seen Il
disappear out OF the window; he dared not
remove his eyes, fearing to lose sight of the
almost recovered treasure.
at is-it is my diamond, which has cost
mo so many tears. /" said ne; ."but how shall
reach it! fit were to fall! But no,
will take every prccnution, not too FAST.
I't me consider well!' -
Al this moment his employer entered the
room. -tyI1Ft Hi'r i'i'yF = T.
"Oh, Sir" cried MONTH, lit is there"
''What?' SAID the jewoller.. g., u. -.,...
''My di"tnond, or rather yours All, do
not tonch it, shall lose it for evor."
1T il true; wo it il certainly tho diamond
TINT has so tormonted US; but tho difficulty
Us how to get it. Wait u moment, I know
now to do it," So saying, he left the room.
but quickly returned, bearing in his hand