Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-10-04

Calls and Sketthes.
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

gained a considerable fortune by great
misfortune. Aa 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 Montin 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.
Il rely on your activity said the jew
eller, on giving him the stone. 81 must
have it without fail on the 10th instant
and if you disappoint me this time, it will
be the last you will have from me-"
Montn promised exactitude, asked, as
was usual with him, part of his pay in ad-
vance, and set himself courageously to
work Under his skilliul hand, the dia
mond soon began to show forth its beauty
in few more hours it would have been
finished, when, unfortunately for Montin's
resolutions, friend called on him, an old
comrade, who had been long absent from
Paris; what could they do but take 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
in 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
jeweller 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 ascended to his workshops; but his
head was no longer clear, nor his hand
steady To add to his trouble, the dia
mond became unfxed; he seized it hastily
to replace it; his trembling fingers gave
jerk-and. by a strange fatality, the
precious stone flew out of the window !,
Sobered in moment by this terrible acci-
dent, Montin continued gazing out of the
easement as if petrified, his pale lips muir
muring the words ''lost ! lost! lost !"
For more than an hour he remained al
most motonless, and was only reused from
his lethargy by the entrance of his mas
ter.
"Is it thus you work. Montin p 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 a word
"What is the matter with you?" asked
the ieweller. why don't you answerP
Have you drunk 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, he muir
INJURED, ''It-is-lost."
Explain yourself. What has happen
ed?"
'.Out of the window"
what when 9'
1.-The stone"
"Well, well, well; tell me what has oc-
cured
The stone flew out"
1t was now the turn of theinaster to be-
come silent with astonishment; then, fu
rious with rage, he cried, 81 don't believe
a word Of your story; you have sold my
diamond to pay for your dissipation.'
This accusation was the coup dc grace
for Montin. He fell fainting at the feet of
his master; and it was not without diff
Guilty that he was recalled back 20 life, or
rather to despair which ammounted al
most to madness. The jeweller, who un-
derstood what was passing in his mind,
tried to console him, and at last succeed
ed in rendering him more calm.
''lt is Il most unfortunate accident, no
doubt" said he, ''but it is not irrepar-
able"
you do not, then, believe that | sold
your diamond for drink ?" said Montin,
eagerly.
.'No, no, Montin, you must forget what
said in the first moment of anger, and
let us try to find remedy for the mistor-
tune. The diamond was worth t200 you
must endeavour to repay me the half OF
that sum out of your wages, which, when
YOU work regularly, amount to f3 or "a
a week. With industry and sobrety you
will soon be out of debt
"From this time | will work steadily"
said Montin, with tears in his eyes. "You
shall see. sir, that though l have been a
drunkard am not thief"
Il believe you" replied the jeweller 81
have every confidence in you; you are a
good workman; l will furnish you with
plenty OF work, and in few years you
will be right again. Well will that SUIT
you?"
"Oh yes, sir, only tell me once more,
that YOU do not think sold the diamond. !"
II repeat, on my honor, that l only sad
so in the first moment of anger. L am
convinced you are an honest man-ln tact
| prove it by trusting you with more work" >"
"Yes, sir, that is true, and promise you
| will not disappoint you. l will repair
my fault; the lesson has been severe, but
it will not be without its fruits"
Nlontin kept his word-he rose early,
and worked indeiatigably the lost stone
was replaced by another, which was pol
ished as if by enchantment. Faithful to
his promise, he went no more to the tav-
ern, and became a model of steadiness
and industry. At the end of the year he
had paid considerable part of his debt.
Sixteen months passed thus, when one fine
morning in May, having finished his work,
he placed himself at 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 attracted by something bright glitter