The Republican journal., 1870-09-15
STORY OF A BIG DIAMOND.

ana the nOlr was tnaG Wncn WO0ufOUS ldleS
are more congenial to the human mind thar
they are by daylight. "Well, you're wrong
There's fellow at this moment in London
who unearthed one Of the biggest diamonds
in the world, and that after Il series Of risks,
the remembrance of which is quite enough
to last lifetime
you're joking, JIM" | said, ''or you're
furnishing up one of your fathers old tales
| remember what wonderful talent he had
in that way"
mo, YOU'RE wrong again; what Im talk
ing about only happened last year and is a
positive fact
Without waiting for my assent, he at once
settled down into his regular storytelling
tone of voice, and after drawing a good
light into his pipe, said:
'You know young Bogc?"
Do you mean Boyle. Of Boyle and Swallow,
the jewellers ?"
s'Yes; young Boyle, not the old man.
Well, he knew an old Jew who dealt in dia
monds, and who, albei' a shabby looking old
fellow, had correspondence in all quarters
where precious stones were to be had He
lived in a miserable way somewhere in one
of the back streets in Shoredtch; and as
far as the neighbors could say, had neither
kith nor kin--his only attendant being llt-
tie orphan Jew boy called Ephraim. One day
the lad came into Boyle and Swallows and
asked for young Boyle.
He's wanted very bad to 90 and see old
Jacob Ezra he said to one of the young
men in the shop; please to tell him my mes
sage
In q minute OF two, young Boyle came
down into the shop, and asked what was the
matter with old Ezra.
He told me to run to you ask you to come
and see him, as he has something very i'm
potant to tell you, It's diamonds, SIR he
whispered, 'but that's all | know and the
old mans very bad, and says he'll die, per-
haps, before you reach him."
Young Boyle was a fine, dashing, hand
some fellow and had now and then heard of
curious adventures connected with gems of
great value; he was therefore quite ready to
anticipate something out of the common way
in this message from old Ezra, and, jumping
into q cab with young Ephraim was driven as
fast as possible into the city. Young Ephraim
led the way into dirty street and up to the
old Jews room. He was lying on an orien
tal-looking bed, such as is used in India, call
cd charpoy, and was wrapped up in two or
three old fur cloaks.
'IIa! you've come to see The old man
that's good. I thought you were amiable
and kind ever since you helped me to keep
that poor girl Miriam from the streets.
She's dead now. She was of my tribe. and
we Jews stick to one another; but we don't
| trust each other much in money matters-wc
trust no one and | wouldn't have made up
my mind to tell you what am going to if
the job could be done any other way, 1ph-
ra said he to the boy, who was sQuatted on
i an Old Persian rug, 'lphra, my son, hand me
the sherbet, and leave the ROOM
"The moment the boy left, Jacob took
young Bogle's hand, and his voice changed
from the usual whecdling tone of his nation
to one very different; his eyes flashed, his
hand trembled, and he talked quickly and
excitedly.
81 may not live through this illness.
have 4 letter from Constantinople from one
Of my people. who says that there is q dia-
mond to be had, the like Of which is only to
be seen in one or two of the great courts OF
Europe. Diamonds are subject to a heavy
tax in Turkey. and although it is unknown
to You msnspccting Franks, there is n secret
understanding that no remarkable gem leaves
the country without having been sent to the
Sultan and one or two of his head courticls
| for Inspection. The owner OF this stone
knows that if it were seen by the Sultan it
would be at once appropriated. under the
pretence of purchase, but really he would
never be fully paid and probably, if he I'M
portuned for his money, Il wink to one of the
| cunuchs about the harem would get him
poisoned Or put ont of the way secretly. lie
is Pacha of a very old family, but he wants
money badly, and will take $4,000 for the
stone, if any one, a perfect stranger, will
come and take it away, rs he may appoint.
You are English, and brave. and a stranger
will YOU buy this stone? | swear by Father
Ibrahcem that l will tell no other but you
and | will give you a letter to Benjamin
Bagdadee, a jew tobacco-dea in Constan-
tinople, who will tell you more when you
meet"
'sBogle's heart beat faster rs he saw his
way to a regular out-and-out adventure; and,
thanking the old man warmly, said he would
be off next day if he liked.
"But what will YOU get out Of it, Ezra ~
he said
ooh my friend has settled all that with
the Pacha and should | not recover from
this illness what would be the use of money
to me2 If You come back safe, you can re-
member me. No; we Jews love OF hate
quickly, strongly. I like you---go; il will
make your fortune. But be secret, OF your
life will be the forfeit there are men in Con
stantinople about the court who would poison
or stab you as soon as they would q cat.
Here is the letter to Benjamin. And one
thing more; beware OF the dragOmans-they
are all rascals and spies"
'Young Boyle thankedthe old man; offer
ed to send him q doctor of his own pcrsua-
sion, which he permitted; and then FASTENED
back to tell his seniors something what he
had heard. Determined not to tell all. fol
fear they might think the risk too great, he
braced his nerves up to carry through the
) transaction.
''In due time he found himself in Constan,
tinoplc; went up to the best hotel, gave him
self out rs an agent for the purchase of wheat
, en- route to Odessa, and began to make in
l quires for amy freight that might be avail
Bile in the port. After Il day OF two he askct
his dragoman if he knew the Jews quarter
"Oh! yes" the man replied; ''but there i
, not much to interest you there
| "Oh! dare say not; but I'm English
you know, and must see everything. Take
! me there this evening""
''Very good, your exccllency. To-nigh
at F. NJ we can 60"
''Boglc only wished to gain on his frs
visit general knowledge of the place, an'
; at the time appointed strolled through tho
i quarter, taking mental notes as he wen
f along, and then, as unconcerncdly as h'
!; could, asked few questions us to where thu
Il Jew tobacco merchants lived; was shown
: the place. and so back to his hotel.
' "'rhc dragoman was that incarnation 0
every thing subte-a Levantine but whethe