The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-05-16

self out to be a .jeweler, he offered his
most valuable stones for sale to the Am
bassadors OF the principal European
tcourts. M as
+ The Moon of tie Mountains" and the
/" Eye of Allah " were not holy unknown
lin Europe. They had for many years
been in the possessionaof the royal family
of Persia, and twas said that after the
assassination of Nadir Schah they, together
with other precious stones, were stolen
by common soldiers, who were ignorant
OF their value. It was, therefore, only
necessary for 6chafras toe state what he
had to excite the in crest of the amateurs.
But for a hong time there was no one
who seemed inclined to enter INTO nego-
tiations with him for the purchase of the
large diamond and the wonderful SAPPHIRE.
As, however, the MusIem was we'll sup
pliod with money, and had,s besides, a
number Of small stones that were easily
available, he waited patiently, feeling
certain that sooner or later a customer
would presen- himself. <&e#fAr "a
The first serious inquiry after the price
Of the "Moon OF the Mountains" came from
Catharine Ii of Russia. In St. Petersburg,
where they were always we'll informed
with regard to what transpired at the
Persian court, they were most competent
to Judge of the real value of the stone
The robber and murderer demanded
100000 rubles, life annuity Of 10000
rubles, and q patent Of nobility.
Catherine H. ordered one of her minis
tiers to invite the pretended diamond
merchant ia st Petersburg, that the court
jeweler might examine the diamond, and
estimate it's value t5
The minister ordered the court ieweler
to hold out to the Armenian the hope
that the Empress would accept his pro
pOsal, and In the mean time to lead hIm
into all sorts of excuses and expenditures
Schafras went to ST. Petersburg, and
soon fell into the trap that had been set
for him. Soon all his ready money was
gone, and, as he had credit everywhere
it being known that he had business with
the court-it was not long before he was
lover head and ears" in debt. This was
what the minister wanted. By the Rds
sian law any foreigner may be prevented
from leaving the country so long as he is
IN debt. The supposition was that the
Armenian would at last be compelled to
dispose Of his diamond for whatever price
he could get for it.
Tell him that Her Majesty has decided
not to accede to his exorbitant demands /;
and then, If he must sell, pretend that you
will buy it on your own account, and offer
him one quarter of what the stone is
worth" Such were the instructions of
! the Minister to the court jewtler.
This message and the offer of the jew.
eler opened Schafras' eyes. Good is good
and Mahomet is his prophet!" be muir,
INJURED. "These Christian dogs want to
cheat me out of that for which | have
perlled my eoul The fools have got me
into debt, and think now / shall be com
PEELED to take any price they choose to
offer me but they shall see that follow
er of the Prophet is a match for this
whole nation of rascals." .1t ~
Schatras now very adroitly encouraged
the belief that he would soon be COM
PEELED to part with the diamond for the
price offered him, while he secretly dis
posed Of a portion Of his gmalfer jewels,
paid his debts, and left the country on
board an English vessel.
When they came to look for the Mos
lem he was nowhere to be found, which
was very embarrassing for the Minister,
as Catherine was greatly incensed at the
loss Of the stone, and demanded that it
should be obtained, cost what it might
For several years every effort of the
Russian court to find Schafras proved fu
tile, but finally they succeeded in tracking
him to Smyrna They again invited him
to ST. Petersburg, and made him every
promise to induce him to accept the invi
tation. "Ask Her Majesty if she expects
to catch an old fox a second time III the
same trap" was the reply. "jTo save
time'and words, listen to my ultmatum
| demand a patent ofnobility and 100000
ruoles, which must be paid Immediately.
| will wait here mouth for your reply
If my conditions are not accepted, swear
by the beard of the Prophet that Gather
inc Ii. shall never be the pGssessor of the
"Muon of tue Mountains" ~ '-.- s.
The result was that the Empress finally
acceded to these exorbitant demands, and
Schafras, the robber and murderer, who
was now Russian nobleman, returned to
his native city, Astrachan, where he mar
rled and had seven daughters
The end of the villain was such as his
life fully merited. One of his sons in law,
for whose convenience he lived too long,
poisoned him. Before ms death he made
a full confession of his crimes. The ma
jor portion Of his great wealth, amounting
to several millions, was con1iscated by
the Russian Government. The remainder
was soon squandered by his heirs, and
several of his descendants are now living
in extreme poverty.
And this is said to be the history Of the
Moon of the Mountains" one of the
Russian crown diamonds ".
ID ...rt
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