The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-10-21
AIRS Well That Ends Well.

Some years ago, knew a lapidary who
gained considerable fortune by great mis-
fortune. An excellent workman, honest as
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 employer,
who in all other respects valued and esteemed
him highly both for his skill and probity.
One day Month received from his master
a diamond of the finest water to cut and pol
ish, with strict recommendations to keep sober
until the woik was finished.
Il rely on your activity" said the jeweler
on giving him The stone. :" I must have it
without fail on the 18th instant; and if you
disappointment me this time, it will be the
last you will have from me-"
Month promised exactitude, asked, as was
usual with him. part Of his pay in advance,
and set courageously to work. Under his
skilful hand the diamond soon began to show
forth its beauty; in few hours it would have
been finished, when, unfortunately for Mon
tint resolutions, a friend called on him, an
old comrade, who had been long absent from
Paris what could they do but take a glass
together? Arrived at the carabet, the time
passed quickly away, aud MONTH thought no
more of his unfinished work. ss-
During the morning his employer came to
see how the polishing Of the diamond pro-
ceeded. The concierge assured him that Mon
tin had only just gone out and would not fail
to return directly, as he had for some days
been working steadily and unremitingly. Only
half satisfied, the jeweller went away, to re-
turn in two hours, ard to find Month still
absent Convinced he was at the tavern, the
master charged one of his men to seek him
and induce him to return to his work. This
was done, and MONTH, 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 diamond became unfxed he
seized it hastily to replace it his trembling
fingers gave jerk, aud by a strange fatality,
the precious stone few out ct the window
Sobered in a moment by this terrible accident,
Month continued gazing out of the easement
as if petrifed, his pale lips murmuring the
words, {; lost lost! lost y
For more than an hour he remained al
most motionlcss, and was only reused from
his lethargy by the entrance of his master.
els it thus YOU work, Montin ?" exclaimed
he; three times have [ called for the dia-
mond, and you spend your time at the tavern.
Give me the stone; must have it, finished
or unfinished" ..3''a.
Mortin looked wildly at him without utter
ing a word
"What is the matter with you ?" asked the
jeweller. "Why don't you answer? Have
you drank all your senses away?"
The lapidary tried in vain to speak. His
tongue seemed paralyzed At last he rose
and hiding his face in his hands, murmured
rs 1t is-lost!" 81. ~
"Explain yourself. What has happened p
"Out of the window"
"What! when"
"The stone"
"Well, we'll, well tell me what has occur
red"
s'The stone flew out.
Tt was now the turn of the master to be-
come silent with astonshment; then furious
with rage he cried II don't believe word
Of your story; you have sold my diamond te
pay for your dissipation" -
This accusation was coup de grace for
Month. He fell fainting at the feet Of his
master; and it was not without difficulty that
he was recalled to life, or rather to despair
which amounted almost to madness. The
ieweller. who understood what was passing II
his mind, tried to consol him, and at last sue
ceeded in rendering him more calm.
cit is a most unfortunate accident, ne
l d,uh+ - aid he G but it is not irreDairabe"