Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-09-23
SeIeft StnfH
DIAMOND CUT l0IAMOND.

Rond street firm with 'shieh was som
wears ago connected, ieut let it sufiicl
that their rame was known, and tina
the manufacture of more than one rega
diadem had been intrusted to their skill
ed workmen. 1 was with them SOM
twelve or fourteen ears, and it was du
ring that period that the incident l an
about to relate occurred. As matte
of course. the strictest injunctions re
specting re-caution, and watchful
ness are issued to all the employees, es
pecialIy to those whose daily business
brings them into contact with the pub
lie: and being always in che showroom
myssif, was one of those in whom thu
elders of the firm placed confidence
The consequence was, that being tolera-
bly, thoughtful, sharp of eye. and gooG
Judge of gems, rose TO occupy one o
the most responsible positions, and tf
me were always intrusted those rather
delicate, critical, and caution-demanding
embassies, where customers wished fol
Jewels to be sent TO their houses for In
spection.
I was seated one day busily examin'
ing some stones which were to be resel
when the principal came softly In.
Lock those up, Willis" he said, "anG
front show room. Thomas is with them
and don't half like their looks"
hurried into the show room to re-
lieve Mr.. Thomas of his task; which he
gave up with a very bad grace, and pro.
ceeded to listen to the demands of tall
lady and gentleman in black, both oi
whom wore respirators, and spoke in
low husky voices. The gentleman look.
ed very pale and ill, and the lady was
very closely veiled as to the upper part
of her face; but upon my approach she
threw up her vail, and displayed the
bright bold eyes of very handsome wo-
man.
"Don't look suspicious" ;" thought, as
I evaded the glance directed at me; for
our rule is Lot to look at eyes but hands
or rather fingers, which sometimes
turn out to be light In this case,
though, the lady's were "bien gantee, "
and the geptleman's thin, white and
soft-an invalid's hands in fact, and /
proceeded to listen to their demands.
"Well, Lila, what is it to be ?" said
the gentleman.
81 thought you had decided, love, u
was the reply. "Something simple and
not too expensive now, whatever we
may decide upon hereafter. Why not
keep to what you said-a bracelet OF
q cross ?"
Well, show me some bracelets" the
gentleman said. ave do not wantany-
thing of high price, but something pref
ty, light, and suited for young lady oi
eighteen about to be married"
proceeded to open case after case OF
bracelets of all prices, from ten to five
hundred guineas each but though they
were fastidious and hard to please, |
was bound to confess that the lady's
taste was excellent. and that the gentle
man was no mean connoisseur in gems.
ST rather like the style of that" said
the gentleman at last, selecting q very
pretty but slight bracelet, set with a
sapphire surrounded by pearls. "What
is the price?'
''That is sixty guineas," / said.
"Yes, it's pretty enough, said the lady;
'but not sufficiently good
"You mean not valuable enough, T"
said the gentleman "but you know the
old proverb about the gift horse. Lu-
ellie will not study the value, depend
upon it; and besides / don't see any
thing like half so well;;"
Have It then, dear" was the reply
and then, directly after, 'Ah, what a
sweet cross !" exclaimed the lady, look
ing at an enamel and gold ornament
laying in q case-and which immedi-
ately opened-for must confess / had
almost forgotten our principals suspi-
cions.
"It is sweet little thingr' exclaim-
ed the lady, examining the crossi such
a fine pearl, too, in the center. 1 should
@wnat, @ to give to Lucille?" said the
reutleman smiling
mo; of course not. I fancied it my
self.''
"My dear Lila, this is not a linendra-
per's shop" said the gentleman with q
shrug, and then there was q smile and
q whisper between them.
"What is the price of the cross 20 said
the gentleman at last.
Fifty guineas," / said.
ut seems good deal for SO small an
ornament, said the gentleman, turning
and returning the cross; but explain
ed that the size of the pearls increased
its value; and after a little hesitation,
he decided to take it, when saw that
he was rewarded by quiet pressure of
the hand from his companion, whose
eyes then met mine almost mirthfully
for moment.
you're q nice creature" muttered /
to myself; "coax him out of everything
you fancy, and then laugh in your
sleeve. But my eyes were wanted to
guard the valuable assortment of jewelry
displayed, and they were back the next
instant to Business.
"Where can send these, sir?n in
quired.
"Ah we'll take them," said the lady;
I'VE will not trouble you to send"
/ explained that 1t would be no
trouble, but they held to their determi
nation; and upon payment being re-
quested, the gentleman drew out
check-book, asked for pen and ink,
and wrote a check for one hundred and
ten guineas upon a small city bank.
Now it was that my lips became a
little tighter, and felt that the princi-
pal had had some cause for his suspi-
cions; and, thoroughly on my guard, /
took the check, and explained that it
was rule of the establishment that
goods should not be delivered until af-
ter check had been presented.
"Ah, quite right, quite fight" said
the gentleman quietly, and without
ksisplsying the slightest annoyance. 81
can easily suppose that you are obliged
~ be carefui.n
bst the lady looked angry, and re-
turnedmy bow very distantly, as 1 ush
cred them out, having pf0mised to send
the purchases on to the fashionable ho-
tel-Moore's, in Brook Stree,-at which
they were staying.
''An q farce, but well carried out.u /
said to the principal as he cam, up to
me, and showed him the checs and
card given me, bearing the name NMr.
III. Elliston Ross" and in pencil.
'Moore's Hotel" but we'll send the
check all the same. Here, Johnson"
The principal shrugged his shoulders !;
and as johnson came up to where was
carefully running over the various items
of jewelry, to see that nothing had been
stolen, 1 gave him the check, and he
went cityward.
To my great satisfaction, all was righk
not jewel missing, and the purchased