The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-09-30

SOME years ago, l knew lapidary who
gained considerable fortune by great mis-
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
who in all other respects valued
and esteemed him highly, both for his
skill and probity.
One day Moulin received from his
master a diamond ofsthe finest water to
cut and polish, with strict recommends
tions to keep sober until the work was
finished.
81 rely on your activity" said the jewel
er, on giving him the stone Il 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 ad
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, 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 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. The concierge assured him
that Montin 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 petrified, his pale lips
murmuring the words lost lost lost !"
For more than an hour he remained
motionless, and was only reused from hi:
lethargy by the entrance of his master.
"ls it thus you work, Montin? ?" ex
claimed he; three times have / called fol
the diamond, and you spend your time a
the tavern. Give me the stone; | mus
have it, finished or unfinished"
MONTH looked wildly at him without ut
tering a word.
"What is the matter with you?" asked
the jeweler "Why don't you answer
Have you drunk all your senses away?'
The lapidary tried i'll vain to speak. Hi
tongue seemed paralyzed At last he rose
and hiding his face in his hands, muir
INJURED, "It-is-lostr"
Explain yourself What has hap
pened:"
Out of the window"
"What ! when?"
"The stone"
"Wcll, 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, FUR
Gus with rage, he cried,
q don't believe word of your story
you have sold my diamond to pay for you
| dissipation"
This accusation was the coup de grace 70
| Montin He fell fainting at the feet of hi
master: and it was not without difficult,
that he was recalled to life or rather to
| despair which amounted almost to mad
ness. The jeweler, who understood wha
was passing in his mind, tried to consol
him, and at last succeeded in renderin!
| him more calm.
1t is most unfortunate accident, n
doubt" said he, but it is not irrepara
| BILE"
"You do not, then, believe that | sol
your diamond for drink - said MONTH
mo, no, Montin, you must forget wha
l said in the first moment of anger, an
let us try to find remedy for the misfol
tune. The diamond was worth GOO; yo
must endeavor to repay me half of tina
sum out of your wages, which when 20
work regularly, amount to f3 or "a
week. With industry and sobriety yo
will soon get ont of debt"
From this time l will work steadily,
said Montin, with tears in his eyes ago
shall see, sir, that though L have bee
a drunkard / am not a thief"
Il believe you" replied the jewele
al have every confidence in you; you ar
a good workman; | will furnish yO
with plenty of work, and in few year
you will be right again. Will that SUI
you?"
ooh yes, sir, only tell me once NOR,
that you do not think / sold the dit
mOnd."
IL repeat, on my honor, that only sal
so in the first moment of anger. lam cor
WINGED you are an honest man-in fac
prove it by trusting you with nor
work"
Eyes. sir, that is true, and promise yo
| will not disappoint you. l will repal
my fault; the lesson has been severe, BIZ
it will not be without its fruits"
Montin kept his word-he rose carly
and worked individually the lost ston
was replaced by another, which was pc
ished as if by enchantmcnt. Faithful I
his promise, ihc went no more to the taverr
and became model of industry. At tn
end of the year he had paid cOnsidcrabl
part of his debt Sixteen months passe
thus, when one fine morning in May, hay
ing finished h work, he placed himself Q
the window, and watched the boats pass
ing and repassing on the river, whic
flowed close to the walls of the hOust
Suddenly his eye was attracted by some
thing bright glittering on the extrem
edge of an old chimney What was hi
surprise to discover his half polished dis
mond 1t seemed as if a breath wOul
precipitate il into the water beneath; an
yet there it had been for 50 many month
suspended between heaven and earth!
At this sight his emotion became almos
as great as on the day when he had see
it disappear out of the window; he dare
not remove his eyes, fearing to lose sigh
of the almost recovered treasure.
at is-it is my diamond, which has cos
me so many tears" said he; "but hoy
shall reach it, If it were to fall Blu
no, | will take every precaution; not to
fast let me consider WE'LL"
| AT this moment his employer entere
the room.
| ooh, sir, cried Montin, :" it is there -
| WHAT" said the jeweler.
"My diamond, or rather yours. All, d
not touch it, we shall lose it forever"
cit ia true: il is certainly the damon