Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-10-21
StlfftcO mistellamu.
THE LOST DIAMOND;

Sflf(IcU 4Ul5lcltUNV.
- - - = - -
TIE LOST DIAMOND;
Il! OR !.
All W. ell That Ends Well. -
Some years ego, knew lapilary Who
gaincd considerable fortune by great
misfortune. An excellent workman, hon
est as the day, Montin Ind but ono fault;
I.n was too fond Of good wine, Which caused
hi,n to neglect his work sometimes for
's.ys together, to tho great dissatisfaction
ii his employer, who in all other respects
.uIue,} and esteemed him highly, both for
IGs skill and probity.0g .,+z
One day month"; received from his mas.
ter diamond Of the finest water to cut
and polish, with strict recommendations
to keep sober until the, work was finished
ii rely on your activity" said tho jewell:
Ter, on giving him the stone x must
have it without fail OH the 18th instant;
and if You disappoint mo this time, it will
bo the last you will have from me-"
N'ontin promised exactitudo, asked, as
was usual with him, part of his pay in adj
VINCE and set himself courageously TO-
work. Under his skillful hand. the dia-
,nond soon began to show forth its beauty;
in few more hours it would have been fin
ished, when, unfortunately for Nontih'G
resolutions, q friend called on him, an old
conrade, 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 ofthe diamond
proceeded. The concierge assured him
that month"; had only just gone out, and
would not fail to return directly, az he had
for some days been working steadily. and
,Inremittingly. Only half satisfied, the
j'weller went away, to return in two houys,.
and to find Montin still absent. Convinced
lie was at the tavern, the master charged
ono Of his men to seek him, and induce
him to return to his work. This was done,
and Montin, grumbling between his teeth,
omitted 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 q jerk-and, by strange fatality, the
precious stone flew out of the window!
$;oherel in a moment by this terrible acct
dent, MONTH continued gazing ont Of the
easement as if petrified, his pale lips muir
nuuring the words s1ost! lost! 1ost!'
most motionless, md was only reused
from Lis lethargy by tho entrance OF his
master.
''Is it thus you work, Montin?" exclaim-
ed he; "three times have called for 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
uttering word. -l - r. tiitt,F :
'iWhat is tho matter with you?" asked
the jeweller 'Why don't yon answer?-
Have you drunk all your senses away?''
The lapidary tried in vain to speak. His
tongue seemed paralyzed. At last he rose,
aud hiding his face iu his hands, murmur-
ed, "It--is-lost"
<., Explain yourself !. w } has happen
Out of the window"
What. when!''
The stone"
We'll, well, well; tell me what has occur
red"
s''Ths stone asw'ouf., ) J
J It.wasnew theiturh ofstlle master to be-
come silent with establishment: then, fur
ions with rage, lie cried, II don't believe a
word of your story; you have sold my dia-
mond to pay for your dissipation"
This accusation was the coup d. grace for
W. min. He fell fainting ut the feet of his
master; aud # was net without difficulty
tlat he was recalled; to life; or rather to q
despair which amounted almost to mad
nens The jeweller, who understood what
was passing in his mind, tried to console
him, and at last succeeded in rendering
him more calm.
1T is q most unfortunate accident, NO
doubt. said he, 'but it1 not irrepatable.1
"You do not, then, believe That I sold
''''lr diamond for drink" said Montin, eag-
.ry.
mo, no, Montin, you must forget what
sn'd in the first moment of anger, and let
III try to find Il remedy for the misfortune.
1lH diamond was worth GOO; you must
tndeayonr to repay 'ue the half Of that sum
"1li OF your wages, which, when you work
,.nnIarIy, amount to g or ca a-week.-
With industry and sobriety you will soon
get ont of debt"
''From this time will work steadily"
said Montin, with tears in. his eyes. ''You
shall see, sir, that though have been q
tIr,,n1sard am not thief"
Il believe you," replied the ieweller Il
iiave every confidence in you; you are o
GOOD workman; will furnish You with
l,ruty OF work, and in few years you will
1T: right again. Well! will that suit you"
'Oh yes, sir! only Tell me once more, that
SOS, do not think sold the diamond
~ repeat, on my honor, that only said
50 in the first moment Of anger. 1 am
convinced you ore IN honest man-in fact
prove it Ivy trusting you with more work :"
'irs Sir, that is true, and promise you
Will not disappoint you. will repair my
i.'!Il; the lesson has been severe, but it
wlll not be without its fruits.
NOnt;n l,nrt 1ia vrrd-ba roun oorlv
"nl worked indefatigably; tho lost stone
",ts rnplacrd by another, which was polish.
=! ns if by 'nchantmcnt. Faithful to his
,'r,li!ia'', he went no more to the tavern,
and became q model Of steadiness and in
'iustry. At the end Of the year no had
paid ~ considerable part Of his debt. SIX
t""n months passed thus, Wien one fine
morning i'll May, having finished his work,
1t; placed himself ut the window, and
watched the boats passing and repassng
'.' III" river which flowed close to tho walls
- the house. Suddenly, his eye was at
'rartcd by something bright glittering on
Tive extreme edge of an old chimney. What
".# hiS' surprise to discover his half-poligh-
cd diamond! 1t seemed AZ ifA breath would
l'i"cipitato it into tho water beneath; and
set there it had been for 10 many months
!.l4pelded between heaven and earthl
1T this sight his emotion became almost
as great sts On tie day when he had seen it
disappear out OF the window; lie dared not
remove his eyes, fearing to lose sight Of the
almost recovered treasure.
ut lit is my diamond, which hns cost
nc so many tears" said he; "but how shall
r'.ach it! If it were to fall But no, I
siI take every prccuution, not too fast!-
~ me consider wcll!'
y. this moment his employer entered tho
tI'iin.
"Dll, Sir, cried MONTH, ''it is there"
'Mhat:' sd the jcwoller
Ny lNs'n"..1, or rather yours. All, do
,i'i touch it, shall lose it for ever"
~ ';tr''e; Wait ia certainly the diamond
Tart has 80 s"rni';ilt'l ue; but tho difficulty
!.n" to got II. Wait II moment, | know
t"w t" do it," So saying, he left tho room,
lul quickly returned, bearing liz hs hand a
h"t prepared for rntcl.ing buttorfiies, With
i'A all nn.l that of long stick, he proceed
ED carefully to try and get the precious
sh'ne---Sim,.... i;nT'';y daring to breathe,