The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1870-10-12
LUCKY AT LAST.

Some years ago knew a lapilary
who gained considerable fortune by
q great misfortune: An excellent
workman, honest as tho day,
day, Montin had but ono 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. .r..
One day MONTH received from his
master diamond Of the finest water
to cut and polish, with strict recom-
mendatious to keep sober until the
work was finished.
81 rely on your activity" said the
jeweller on giving him the stone.
81 must have it without fail on the
18Th instant and if you disappoint
mo this time, it will be the last you
will have from me-"
fIoatjp promised cxactitude, asked
as was usual with him, part of his pay
in advance, and set himsclf courageous.
ly to work. Unacr his sklllful hand
tho diamond soon began to show forth
its beauty ; in few hours it would
have been furnished, when unfortunate
ly 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 togcth-
err Arrived at the cabaret, the time
passed quickly away, and Montin
thought TO moro of his unfinished
work.
During the morning his employer
oamc to sec how the polishing of the
diamond proceeded. The concierge
assured him that Montin had onl, Just
gone rqt, and would aot fail to return
directly, as hs had for soms time
been working steadily and un,emit.
ting)y. Ouly half satisfied, the jewel
ler won't away, to retuca ~ tga !ours,
aud to find Moutin still absent. Con-
WINGED he was at the tavern tho mas,
ter charged one Of his mon to seek
him, and induce him to return to his
work. This WAS done, and Montin,
grumbling between his teeth, quilted
his comrade and asscended to his work
shop; but his head was no longer
cloar, nor his'hand steady. !, TO add to
his trouble, the diamond became un-
fixed he seized it hastily to replace
it his trembling fingers gave.a jerk
---and, by a strange fatality the pre-
oious stone few out tho window
Sobercd in a. moment by this terrible
accident, Montin continued gazing out
the oasement aaif petrifed, hia pale
lips murmuring the words "lost lost J.!
lost - !su,I Ir& N~-I
For more than an hour he remained
almost 'motioplesss, and was only
reused from his lethargy by tho on
trance Of his mastcr. =" m
"Is it thus you work, hIontin - 'ex.
claimed he three times have I called
for the diamond, aud you spend your
time at the tavern Give me the
stone I must have it, finished or
unfinished" -
M0ntin looked wildly athim without
uttering q word.
"Wkat is the matter with you r.
asked tho jeweller. w"Why don't you
answer7 Have you drunk all your
senses away2" .rHu =
The l4pidary tried in vain to speak.
His tongue seemed paraiyzed. At
last he rose, and hiding his face in
his hands, murmured, "It--is--
lost r' a's si %a~ t a X
"Explain yourself. What has hap.
Dened 7" p7l'72ta "a
"Out Of tho window" aol "a!i
"What! when2" :" -
"Ths stone."5l adt ,n,tiul' e =
t"Well, we'll, we'll ;tell me what has
occurred" " ,n.',> F% 1onvr
Tho stone flow out" ra .
It wasnow the itnrm Of tho master
90 become silent with -astouishment
then furious With "rage3 he dried, "I
don't believs'a word Of your story you
hive sold MY diamond to pay for Your,
dissipatiOn." ~" Y -" ~ . ]oo'! 'h
This accusation was the coup de
grace for Myptin.T Hs fell ,faiptipg at
tho feet Of his master, and IL WAS rot
without difficulty that, he recalled TO
lifo, Of rather 10 despair Fhl3h
amounted qlmo&t % maARq35, Tto
ioyallar, who understood @hat vas
..; Il. "a, .,,,,,l 8t,l 80 ,n,,up1