The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-10-22
Srltttro gllistrllanU.
THE LOST DIAMOND;
AZ wen That Ends wen.

Some years ago, I knew n lapidary who
gained a considerable fortune 10y u great
misfortune. An excellent workman, hon
est az the day, Montin had but one fault;
no 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 aud esteemed him highly, both for
his skill and probity.
One day Montin received from his mas
ter Il diamond Of the finest water TO cut
and polish, with strict recommendations
to keep sober until the work was finished.
81 rely on your activity said the jewel
Ter, on giving him the stone. II must
have il without fail on the 18th instant;
and il you disappoint me this time, 1t will
be the last you will have from mo-"
Montin promised exRctitudc, asked, as
WIS usual with him, part Of his pay in adj
vance, and set himself coumgeOusly to
work. Under his skillml hand, tho dia-
mond soon began 10 show forth It's beauty;
in q few more hours it would have been fin
ished, when, unfortunately for Moutiu's
resolutions, a friend called oH him, an old
comrade, who had been long absent from
Paris; what could they do but take n 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 oftho diamond
proceeded. The concierge assured him
that Montiu had only Just gone out, nud
would not fail to return directly, as he had
tor some days been working steadily and
unremittingly. Only half satisfied, the
jeweller went away, 10 return in two hours,
aud to find Montin 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,
aud MONTH, grumbling between his teeth,
quilted his cOmrado, and assembled 10 his
Workshop; but his head was no longer clear,
nor his hand steady. To add to his trouble,
the diamond became uniixed; he seized it
hastily to replace II; his trembling fingers
gave n jerk and, by a strange fatality, the
precious stone fiew ont of the window
SObered in amoment by this terrible acct
dent, Montin continued gazing ont Of the
easement as If pctriiied, his pale lips muir
muring the words "lostl lost lost!'
For more than an hour ne remained al
most m]otionlcss, and was only reused
from his lcthargy by the entrance OF his
master.
as it thus you work, Montin2" exclaim-
cd he; three times have / called for the
diamond, and you spend your time ut the
tavern. Give me the stone: / must have
II, finished or unfinished"
Montin looked wildly at him without
uttering n word.
''What is the matter with you?' asked
the jeweller. "Why don't you answery-
Have you drunk all your senses away"
The lapidary tried in vain to speak. His
tongue seemed paralyzed. At last ho rose,
and hiding his face in his hands, murmur-
ed, "It-is-lost!'
ed?"
"Out of the window"
What whenY"
'The stone"
''Well, wen, well; toll me what has occur
red"
THE stone flew OUT
IL wasnow the turn of the master TO be-
bome silent with nstonishment: then, fur
ious with rage, he cried, ~ don't believe n
word of your story; You have sold my dia-
mond to pay for your dissipation"
This accusation was the coup de grace for
Montin. He fell fainting at the feet of his
master; and II Was not without difficulty
that he was recalled to life, or rather to "A
despair which amounted almost To mad
ness. The ieweller, who understood what
was passing in his mind, tried 10 console
him, and at last succeeded in rendering
him more calm.
1T IN Il most unfortunate accident, no
doubt, said he, "but it il not irreparable. 4"
"You do not, then, believe that | sold
your diamond for drink aaid Montin, oag-
srly.
"No, no, Montin, you must forget what
! said in the first moment Of anger, and let
us try to find a remedy for the misfortune.
The diamond was worth GOO; you must
endeavour TO repay me the half Of that sum
out OF your wages, which, when yOu work
regularly, amount to G3 or "a a-week.
With industry and sobriety you will soon
get out Of debt"
From this time | will work steadily"
said Month, with tears in his eye8. lyon
shall see, sir, that though / have been Il
drunkard | am not a thief"
II believe you, " replied the ieweller, u
have every confidence in you; You are n
good workman; / will furnish Won with
plenty Of work, and in a few years you will
be right again. Welt will that suit YOU. "
'Oh yes, Girl only tell me once more, that
you do not think l sold the diamond"
II repeat, on my honor, that ! only said
so IN the first moment Of anger. an
convinced you are an honest man in fact
l prove 1t by trusting You with more work"
Eyes, sir, that is true, and / promise You
] will not disappoint you. / will repair my
fault; the lesson has been severe, but II
will not be without its fruits"
MONTH kept his word-he rose carly,
and worked indefatigably; the lost stone
was replaced by another, which was polish.
cd as IL by enchantmeht. Faithful to his
promise, he went no more to the tavern.
and became a model Of steadiness and in
dustry. AT the end of the year he had
paid a considerable part Of his debt. Six
teen months passed thus, when one fine
morning in May, having finished his work,
he placed himself Mt the window, and
watched the boats passing and repassing
on the river, which flowed close TO the walls
Of the house. Suddenly, his eye WAS at
by something bright glittering on
The extreme edge of an old chimney. What
was his surprise TO discover his h~alf-polish-
ID diamond! II seemed as ifa breath would
p~recipitate it into the water beneath; and
yet there it had been for 80 many months
suspended between heaven and earthl
At this sighth emotion became almost
n great as on the day when he had seen il
disappear out of the window; he dared not
his eyes, fearing 10 lose sight ofthe
recovered treasure.