The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-02-11
The JOURNAL.
L9cKY AT LAST.


too fond of good wine, which caus-
ed him to neglect his work-some-
times for davs together, to the great
dissatisfaction of his employer, who
in all other respects valued ana es-
teemed him highly, both for ms skill
and probity.
One day Montin received from
his master a diamond of the finest
water to cut and polish, with strict
recommendations to keep sober un-
til the work was finished.
Il rely on your activity" said the
5eweler on giving him the stone. Il
must have it without fail on the 18th
inst; and il You disappoint me this
time, it viii be the last YOU have
from me"
Montin promised eXactitude, ask
ed, as was usual with him, part Of
his pay in advance, and set himself
courageously TO work. Under his
slIillful hand the diamond soon be
gan to show forth its beauty; in a
few hours it would have been finish
ed, when unfortunately for MOntins
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? Arriv-
el at the cabaret. the time passed
quickly away, and Montin thought
mo more of his unfinished work.
During the morning his employer
came to see how the polishing of
the diamond proceeded. The con-
tcierge assured him that DIontin
had only Just gone ont, and would
not fail to return directly, as he had
for some DAYS been working steadily
and unremittingly. Only half sa-
tisfed, the jeweler went away to re-
turn in two hours, and to. find Mon
tin still absent. Convinced he was
at the tavern, the master charged
one of his men to seek him, and in
duce him to return to his work.
This was done, and MOntin, grumb-
ling between his teeth, quilted his
comrade, and ascended to his work
shop; 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 re
place it; his trembling fingers gave
Jerk, and, by strange fatality, the
precious stone flew out of the win
dow Sobered in a moment by this
terrible accident, Montin continued
gazing out Of the easement rs ifpet-
rifed, his pale lips mumaring the
words lost! lost, lost"
For more than an hour he remain
ed almost motionless, and was only
reused from his lethargy by the en-
trance ofhis master.
is it thus you work, MontinI
exclaimed he? "three times have I
called for the diamond. and you
spend your time at the tavern. Give
me the Stone; I must have it, finish
ed or unfinished"
BIontin looked wildly at him with
out uttering a word.
"What is the matter with your
asked the ieweler why don t
YOU answer: Have you drunk all
your senses awayy"
The lapidary tried in vain to speak.
His tongue seemed paralyzed At
last he rose, and, hiding his face in
his hands, murmured, "It-is-lostm
explain yourself What has hap
pened;"
"Out Of the window"
What! when?"
"The stone"
We'll well, well: tell me what
has occurred
The stone few out.
Il was now the turn of the master
TO become silent with astonishment;
then, furious with rage, he cried, Il
don't believe word Of your story;
YOU have sold my diamond to pay
for your dissipation.
This accusation was the coup de
grace for Montin. He fell fainting
at the feet Of his master; and it was
not without difficulty that he recall
ed TO life, or rather to a despair which
amounted almost to madness. The
7eweler. who understood what was
passing in his mind, tried to console
him, and at last succeeded in render
ing him more calm.
1T is a most unfortunate accident,
no doubt" said he, ''but it is not ir-
reparable."
1'You do not, then, beliye that I
sold your diamond for drink? said
Montin, eagerly"
NO, no, Montin, you must forget
what I said in the first moment of
anger, and let us try to find RENE
DIV for the misfortune. The diamond
, vas worth f200; you must endea-
.r,,r to repay the half Of the sum out
aS YOUR wages, which, when you
work regularly, amount to f3 OF f4
J, week With industry and sobriety
on will soon get out Of debt"
UFrom this time will work stead
5lvr said MONTH, with tears in his.
eyes "You shall see, sir, that
though 1 have been a drunkard, / an
not a thief.
i believe YOU" replied the jewe-
Ter. 4 have every confidence in
vou; you are good workman; /
1vill furnish you with plenty of work,
aad in a few years you will be right
aqlin. Well! will that suit you?
~Oh yes, sir! only tell me once
more that YOU do not think | sold
the diamond.
7 repeat, on my honor, that ! on
" said so in the first moment Of
anger am convinced you are an
honest man-in fact I prove it by
trusting YOU with more work.
yes, sir, that is true. and l pro-
mise YOU I viii not disappoint you.
+ viii repair my fault; the lesson
has been severe, but it will not be
without its frult.
Montin kept his word-be rose
carly. aud worked indefatigably; the
lost stone was replaced by another,
which was polished as ifby enchant-
ment Faithful to his promise, he
went no more to the tavern, and be
came 4 model Of steadiness and in
dustrv. st the end Of the year he
had paid a considerable part OF his
debt. Sixteen months passed thus,