The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-11-28
Great Crown-Jewel of Russia.

6JOppcu suuuehiy, uhu, poiuVlun W u SJTdn-
ger on the other side of the way cried
p" See there is the Afghan we have
looked for so long %
Don't let us lose sight of him." said
the others, and all three went toward the
stranger, who seemed astonished.
"God is God fear not" began the eld-
est Of the brothers. 81 am Schafras, of
Bassora, to whom you once came to sell
large diamond, called the Moon of the
Mountains and other precious stones
These are my brothers, who like myself,
are pleased that we have found you, as
we hope now to be able to make bar
gain"
"Oh woe is me, good sirs l am no
longer the possessor of these treasures"
replied the Afgan.
"What have you done with them ?"
"Allah be praised have just sold
them to the Jew Mardocha, of this city"
For what price 2"
For $4,000 piasters and two hand
some horses"
:" You were fool and Mardocha a
thief " cried Schafras angrily. | would
have given you twice that sum for the
stones"
"God is great They we're offered to
you for half the sum; why we're you such
fool as not to take them 2"
"Bocause | thought you thief, and
my conscience would not allow me to buy
stolen goods But what can not be cured
must be endured. Where does, Mardo-
cha the jew live p
will show you good sirs, that there
may be no ill-feeling between us"
The Afghan led the way to the house
of the Jew, which was on the bank Of
the river Tigris. The brothers then
thanked him kindly, and the eldest went
to see if he could make a bargain with
Mardocha
&c Son of Israel" said he, you have
a diamond called the Moon of the Noun
tains, sapphire called the Eye of AL
lah,' and other precious stones, which
you have lately bought of wandering
Afghan who did not come in possession
of them honestly. l will give you
handsome sum for your bargain"
How much? z" asked the Israelite,
with the air of man who knows his bu-
siness and the value of his goods.
You gave $4,000 piastcrs and pair
of horses for them. [ will give you 49,
900 piasters and take the risk
/ should be sorry to see you loser,"
replied the Jew, with an Ironical smile.
II will double the sum you gave for
them" said Schafras.
" Not for million would l give them
to you. Go your way; you know not the
value of what you would purchase"
The Armenian took his leave, inward
ly cursing the Jew.
ale knows too much for us-I could
make no bargain with the Jewish dog |"
said Schafras to his brothers.
"Then we must take them without
bargain" said the youngest, in signif-
cant tone. His companions assented
They now withdrew in order to decide
upon the plan they should pursue. That
night the three villains murdered Mardo-
cha, and threw his body out of his win
dow into the Tigris Then they took all
his money and jewels and hurried away.
The danger they ran Of being detected
was far less than it would have been in
most other countries Who in Bagdad
troubles himself about lonely Jew.
The next morning the three brothers
accidentally met the Afghan.
"Well, sirs, what success 7" he asked
"God is God, and Mahomet is his
Prophet" answered the eldest. The
jewels are ours, and to celebrate our good
fortune, you must sup with us this even
ing in our tent beyond the city"
The unsuspecting Afghan went with
them to their tent, which was pitched in
an out-of-the way place on the bank of
the Tigris, and then he supped for the
last time. Schafras was always supplied
with a fatal poison, some of which they
mixed in the Afghan's food. When he
was dead they threw his body into the
Tigris, saying:
$50 hence, fool, and be company for
the jew. Thus we destroy all knowl-
edge of the precious stones"
Then they struck their tent, mounted
their camels, and fastened to a solitary
spot in order to examine and divide
their treasures. They had no trouble
with the money. Not So however, with
the jewels, for the large diamond alone
was Of greater value than all the rest
Each one wanted it for share. Their
dispute seemed likely to lead to a serious
alteration, when the eldest brother, made
the following proposal
" BY rights the large diamond should
be mine" said he, : for it was ! who