The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-09-30
Alps Well that Ends Well.

fortune. An excellent workman, nOneSE.s.s
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
who in all other respects valued
and esteemed him highly, both for his
skill and probity
One day Montin received from his
master diamond of the finest water to
cut and polish, with strict Recommended
lions to keep sober until the work was
finished.
rely on your activity" said the jewel
er, on giving him the stone. az must have
it without fail on the 18th instant; and if
YEA disappoint me this time, it viii be the
last you will have from me-"
Montin promised exactitude, asked, as
was usual with him, part Of his pay in adj
vance, and set himself courageously to
work. Under his skillful;hand, the diamond
soon began to show forth its beauty; in a
few more hours it would have been
finished, when, unfortunately for Montin' s
resolutions, friend called on him, an old
comrade, who had been long absent from
Paris; what could they do but take glass
together? Arrived at the cabaret, the
time passed quickly away, and Montin
thought no more of his unfinished work
to see how the polishing of the diamond
proceeded. The concierge assured him
that MONTH had only just gone out, and
would not fail to return directly, as he had
for some DAYS been working steadily and
unremittingly. Only half satisfied, the
jeweler went away, to return in two
hours, and to find Montin still absent
Convinced he was at the tavern, the mas
ter 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 to his workshop; but his
head was no longer clear, nor his hand
steady. To add to his trouble, the dia-
mond became unfixed he seized it hastily
to replace it; his trembling fingers gave a
jerk-and, by a strange fatality, the pre-
cious stone flew out of the window!
Sobered in moment by this terrible
accident, Montin continued gazing out of
the easement as if petrifed, his pale lips
murmuring the words lost lost lost p
For more than an hour he remained
motionless, and was only reused from his
lethargy by the entrance of his master.
us it thus you work, Month ?" ex-
claimed he; three times have I called fol
the diamond, and you spend your time at
the tavern. Give me the stone; must
have it, finished or unfinished"
Montin looked wildly at him without ut.
tering a word
What is the matter with your asked
the jeweler. "Why don't you answer
Have you drunk all your senses away ?''
The lapidary tried in vain to speak. His
tongue seemed paralyzed At last he rose
INJURED, "It-is-lostr
g Fyn1oin vourSalf What hoe bo,
pened?"
"Out of the window"
"What! when?"
"The stone"
"Well, well, well; tell me what has oc
cured
The stone flew out"
1t was now the turn of the master to be
come silent with establishment: then, furi
Gus with rage, hc cried,
az don't believe a word of your story
you have sold my diamond to pay for you
dissipation"
This accusation was the coup de grace fo
Montin. He fell fainting at the feet of hi
| master: and it was not without difficulty
that he was recalled to life; or rather to /
despair which amounted almost to mad
ness. The ieweler, who understood wha
| was passing in his mind, tried to console
him more calm.
1t is most unfortunate accident, NJ
doubt" said he, "but it is not irrepara
BILE"
You do not, then, believe that I solo
your diamond for drink?' said Montin
eagerly.
NO, no, Montin, you must forget wha
| said in the first moment of anger, anC
let us try to find remedy for the misfor
tune. The diamond was worth goo; yor
must endeayor to repay me half Of tha
sum out of your wages, which when yor
work regularly, amount to e3 or Ga {
week. With industry and sobriety yor
Will soon get out of debt"
= From this time I will work steadily
said Montin, with tears in his eyes. Yor
shall see, sir, that though l have beer
a drunkard | am not thief"
AZ believe you," replied the ieweler
have every confidence in you; you arr
with plenty of work, and in few year;
you will be right again. VIII that sui
you?"
ooh yes, sir! only tell me once more
that you do not think l sold the dia
mond."
=" repeat, on my honor, that only sale
SO In the first moment CT anger. lam con
vinced you are an honest man-in fac
| prove it by trusting you with more
| work"
eyes, sir, that is true, and promise yo,
will not disappoint you. I Will repair
my fault; the lesson has been severe, bu
| 1t will not be without its fruits"
Montin kept his word-he rose early
| and worked indefatigably; the lost stone
was replaced by another, which was pol
rchn I I, l. 81 -l
his promise, .he went no more to the tavern
and became model of industry At the
end of the year he had paid a consderabl.
part of his debt. Sixteen months passeC
thus, when one fine morning in May, hay
ing finished h work, he placed himself a
the window, and watched the boats pass
ing and repassing on the river, which
flowed close to the walls of the house
Suddenly his eye was attracted by some
thing bright glittering on the extreme
edge Of an old chimney. What was hi:
surprise to discover his half polished dia
mond, 1t seemed as if breath would
precipitate it into the water beneath; anC
yet there it had been for so many month:
suspended between heaven and earth
At this sight his emotion became almost
as great as on the day when he had seer
it 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
me so many tears" said he; ."but how
shall reach it! If it were to fall! But
no, will take every precaution; not toe
fast let me consider WELT"
At this moment his employer entered
the room.
ooh, sir, cried Montin, "it is there 7"
"What ?" said the jeweler
My diamond, or rather yours All, CO
not touch it, we shall lose it forever"