Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-01-30
SJNBJRY PA. FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 80 1874

even luxury cheered his little domestic cir
ce He endeavored to make a fail esti-
| mate of his immense wealth !; he held the
sevOn pebbles rs mere drops in the ocean
that owned. He must,visit the mountain
! rivulet and gather more diamonds.
| As usual, he took his dog and gun, and
and began a second journey up the slope in
search of additional treasure.
He came to the little brook and gathered
but two diamonds, and they were much
smaller than those he had deposited in his
treasury. Could the supply already be ex-
hustled Gloomy thoughts came over him,
and he walked up to the fountain head hop
ing to see the brilliants roll out with the
crystal waters. But they did not.
His dog raised sharp bark, and 4 rab-
bi. sprang past him, taking refuge among
some shrubbery at the base of a slab rock.
| The doc followed and was soon lost to
view. Grego.y heard the ours bark faint
er and fainter. He pushed the shrubbery
aside with his gun and the dark entrance
to a cavern presented itself to his view.
He thought moment and then pushed
forward, more to CRAFTY his curiosity than
anything else, but he encSRpnterea ncSR4 2lIei'y'
darkness. So he returned TO the mouth of
the cave, got pitch-pine knot, lighted it
with a match, and entered the cavern with
full determination Of exploring it to its
very depths.
He made his way with difficulty over
damp and slippery rocks until he reached a
level flooring. The light of his torch PEN
etrated the darkness. He could hear the
plaintive gurgling of fountain, and a cool
but damp gush of air fell upon his cheek.
Myriads of lights were reflected from
the walls and ceiling of the cavern, and
masses of briliants hung down like icicles
or festoons from the arches of massive
stone. What glorious illumination
blinded his vision! He was in a subter-
ranean palace of diamonds, and the treas
ure was exhaustiess.
He knocked off many large pieces OF the
precious mine raj, filling his pockets and
game bag with them. Staggering under
the rich burden, he again sought the light
of day, and after carefully covering up the
opening, descended the mountain slope.
Happy Gregory! his wealth was almost
boundless.
The wife went almost wild over the
glowing detail of her husband, the daz-
zling briliiancy of the cavern of diamonds,
and the probability of the mountain be-
ing one vast heap of precious stones, say
ing nothing of the immense veins of gold
that traversed it.
A contractor was consulted as 10 the
practical 5ility of building new mansion.
Architects sent in plans for building OF
magnificent size aud structure, and the
world was ablaze with accounts of the i'm
mense wealth of the golden farmer Of
Rockingham county.
The time, however, arrived for Mr.. Me-
Campbell to proceed to Philadelphia for
the purpose of consulting some well known
lanidary as to the value in the market of
the precious gems.
When he arrived in the city lie strutted
into fashionable jcwelry store with all
the air of man who controlled the destiny
Of nations, when the following colloquy
took place:
Mister; said Gregory McCampbell,
turning his high-crOwned silk hat on the
side of his head and showing a small dia-
mond to the merchant, Il want you to
tell me the real value people fix on dia-
mond of this size?"
The lapidary looked carefully at the
stone, smiled and shrugged his shoulders;
then turning his grey and piercing eyes
full upon the Virginian, asked:
"Where did you get this stone, sr?'
II didn't steal it, you may be sure, :"
answered Gregory, somewhat Indignantly.
81 have several more, all of a superior
quality-and, look here, if you're in doubt"
and he produced one of the large pieces of
crystal he had brought from the cavern.
The jeweler opened his eyes with de-
light and astonishment.
There, SIR exclaimed Gregory with a
look of triumph; Il reckon all Philadel-
phia couldn't buy that. What do you
think it is worth?''
Nothing at all, - was the calm reply of
the man, while he smiled at the apparent
simplicity of the question.
"Nothing! Why, man, you must be
crazy retorted the farmer, startling in
his turn.
"Not as crazy az you are" was the
somewhat snappish reply. Why, sir,
they are only crystalized quartz; very
pretty specimens, but of no value except in
the cabinet of the mineralogist."
"And you won't give anything for
them?'' asked Gregory, his under jaw
dropping heavily.
mot Il cent was the astounding an
swer.
Gregory McCampbcll was on his way
home the next day with his precious
rocks.
There was weeping and wailing in the
NcCamFPbBeelllA- family %hssss the dignifed
head related the particulars Of bis visit to
Philadelphia.
The creditors now began to clamor for
their money. The sheriff served his wrts
as in duty bound, ami the poor fellow had
to witness the sacrifice of the old home
stead under the auctioneer's hammer.
The old cobbIer's bench, with It's ne
cessary lapstone, awl and hammer, were
mercifuily spared to him, and he went
Justify to work at pounding leather, having
learned a lesson in the old saying that
every cobbler should stick to his last.''
Humorous strtebss.
4 SENSATIONAL SERMON.