Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-03-23

6dkcu Ills WIG.
Z "Lady Satorsine," he replied. ~ hav
been 10 Kensington to fetch them Yo'
know her ladyship prefers employing u
working jewelers., dearest, without ap
plying TO any large firm"
"Well," said madame.
4 "Well," continued Michand, 4" she want
these reset for the Birthday Drawing
Room next week"
"Can you manage it?" she asked.
."Yes, by hard work." he replied
sob Jules, what trust !" she exclaimed
II fhatter myself am an honest man,
cried Jules, drawing himself up proudly
Certainly" said Toinette.
"Who doubts it - asked Madame Mi
chaud. But it is tremendous response
bility.'
Naturally" said Jules
"You must not let them be out of you
sight, Jules"
"Oh, as to that" said he, II canno
be expected to see them when an
asleep"
"Then you must not go to Sleep" sait
madame.
"Not 60 to sleep'" he repeated.
Decidedly not" said his wife.
"What, not for ten days!" he cried.
ooh, that is different" returned MADAME
Michaud. f,gLt III ef4. .tt.
1T wants ten days to the birth day,
said Jules. ''''t''
Cant you trust any enc to help your
she asked.
Impossible" said the jeweler; dare
not. Besides, / passed my word to hel
ladyship: These jewels are worth fifteel
thousand pounds"
Madame Michaud turned as pale as hel
rubicund complexion would admit of
"What sunni" she cried.
why it would buy half a-dozen French
| farms!" said Toinette
"Don't be uneasy, mn mie," said Mi
chaud, turning to his wife. "Tll put
thu m in my patent safe in our bed room
they will be all right there"
Zone of us must keep watch whilst the
other sleeps" cried Madame Michaud.
ooh now, my dear, you are alarming
yourself needlessly," said Jules.
All this while Toinette had not neglected
her cookery. She had now spread clear
cloth on the table, drawn a jug of spark
ling ale, and turned out the contents Of
her stew pan.
"Supper is ready, monsieur and mad
anne" she cried. Then the three sat down
together, and enjoyed their savory meal.
After the old ,Frenchman had smoked
bis evening pipe, and the two women had
cleared away and retired to rest, he set tt
work upon the important task contded t.
his care. The diamonds were really splen
did, and 1t showed no small confidence or
the part Of Lady Sartorsine to intrust
them to comparatively obscure man
such as Jules Michaud. AS for poor Mad
anne Michaud, she could not sleep while
her husband was at work. Every tick o.
the great clock made the heart beat; sh.
fancied she saw the forms of thieves by
the black oak press which stood in cor
ner of her bed room and at every crcak o
the stairs (which creaked occasionally il
that mysterious fashion peculiar to OLE
stairs) she thought she heard footsteps
and felt inclined to call aloud for help
As for Toinetto, she never bothered hel
head about the matter.
At last the jeweler thought he hai
done enough for Que night, and the dia
monds were securely locked up in the safe
the key of which he placed beneath hi.
pillow, Then poor Madame Michaud fel
into troubled sleep 4 81 .aig4
Matters went on thus until the day be
tore the jewels were to be taken home
The resetting had been completed, ant
the diamonds were locked upin the safe
Feeling that all was done at last, Madam,
Michaud, worn out by eight or nine
restless nights, had fallen into deep ant
quie. sleep The jeweler. on his part
whilst listening TO his wife's heavy breath
ing, resolved that for himself he would not
sleep wink till the jewels were out OF hii
custody. But when we will 60 to sleep
sleep flies from US; and when we deter
mine we will keep awake, the inclination
to sleep becomes irresistible. The tired
man was soon Us fast asleep as his wife.
In the morning, after breakfast, Mon
sieur Michaud dressed himself In his hes
suit, aud happy to think that at last hi
responsibility would cease, went whistlin,
to his safe, which he opened with his littl'
patent key. Alas, the diamonds were no
therol aQ Nl
"Oh, mon Dieu, mon Dieur screame'
the unfortunate man; II am ruined
robbed, disgraced! I shall be called
thief; shall be hanged"
At these doleful cries Madame Michau
and Toinette came, as may be supposed
rushing into the room.
"What Is the matter, Monsieur 2 aske'
TOinette.
MATTER Mon Dseu ! am undone! TIL
diamonds are stolen!" he cried, bursting
into tears.
+ "Stolenl" cried Toinette.
"Stohn!'' echoed Madame Michaud
sinking into chair, and looking ready t
4 faint.
"Stolen." said the jcweler. Yes
YES, it is too true; am lost man"
Madame Miehaud put her hand to he
head, as il dilnly trying to recall some
thing. at is impossible" she said.
"Look for yourself" moaned the miser
able man. pointing TO the empty safe.
"Can monsieur have forgotten to loci
/ the jewels ups" said Toinette, after exam
lining II.