The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-11-10
Pa, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10. 1876.

ed in coach from the door of the hotel.
Every exerison was made to.trace them out,
but several years elapsed before. they were
discovered.
The jeweler, who was nearly ruined by
this robbery, removed to another quarter of
Paris, and established himself under a new
name, One day messenger called on him
from NJ. T, a gentleman holding an
official situation, who was very ill, and
wished to purchase some rings. The poor
jeweler had naturally become suspicious ever
since his fatal adventure with Gargarin; and
instead of sending his shopman, he took the
rings himself He was shown into bed
chamber which was partially lighted; owing
to the situation of the windows, the room
was all in shade, except where the bed stood.
What was the surprise of the jeweler when
he discovered, in the invalid NJ. T, the
swindler who had some years previously de-
frauded him in the assumed character of the
Russian Prince Gargarin For few mo-
ments he was struck dumb with amazement
However, he recovered himself, and DEEM
ingit prudent not to betray the discovery he
had made, he displayed his rings several
were selected, and their price amounted to
about six thousand francs.
'1t is large sum of money for poor,
ruined man." said M. T. "I have not
ready cash enough to settle the whole amount
and shall feel obliged if you will take in
payment this curious old snuff box, which is
of great value"
He asked for his dressing -case, and opening
it, took out an octagon-shaped snuf-box,
ornamented with ten miniatures by Clinch-
steil, set in gold and rubies. 1t was perfect
ly unique and of inestimable value. The
snuff-box which M. T-presented to him
was one which had been stolen from him a
few days before the robbery of his diamonds.
The box was too remarkable to admit of the
possibility of mistake. Besides, it had q
secret spring, by means of which all the
miniatures could be taken out of their set
tings and on the reverses were painted
similar subjects, but treated in the style of
indelicacy peculiar to the age of Louis XIV.
This circumstance was important in proof of
his claim to the possession ofthe box. When
NJ. r asked him to set value on it he
said without hesitation
81 consider it worth more than fifty thou
sand francs"
FIFTY thousand francs !" exclaemed NJ.
T; 81 thought it valuable, but this far
exceeds my estimation of it,"
"Sr" resumed the jeweler. 81 will not re-
tract what have said. am an expert deal
er, and to me it may possibly be worth far
more than the sum have fixed. will make
this proposition TO you you shall take the
rings you have selected, and you shall put
the box under an envelope stating it to be
my property and, if it does not bring more
than fifty thousand francs, you shall have
my rings for nothing"
NJ. Twas completely blinded by this
deep-laid scheme. He was a good connois-
seur Of objects of oirtu, and he was not a
little gratified to find his box so much over
valued, and to obtain the rings without
opening his purse The most exaggerated
valuation of the snuff box would scarcely
have exceeded seven or eight thousand
francs. He sent for two of his neghbors
one of whom was notary, and the matter
was arranged conformably With the jewelers.
proposition. This being done, the invalid
said
"Who will fix the piice of the box? ?"
"You, sir, 'coolly replied the jeweler.
"Me? You are jestng!"
81 assure you, sir, l am quite serious.
would willingly lay good wager that yor
will value the box at five hundred Thousand
| francs"
NJ. T-directed at the two witnesses .
look which seemed to say-the man is mad
but the jeweler added
"You will value it at that price, l an
certain you will. But first of all, / have t,
acquaint you with a circumstance connected
with this box, which will enable you to per
ceive its real value"
NJ. T, full of curiosity and anxiety
consented to hear the jewelers. communica
ton in private. The two neighboIs, takinl
the box with them adjourned to the drawing
room and NJ. T-and the jeweler beinl
left alone, the latter said
"Sir, it is now about sixteen years ago
| since that snull-boX was stolen from me; anC
short time after, you robbed me of fifty
| thousand crowns worth Of diamonds, undel
the assumed name of Prince Gargarin.
have now discovered you. My evidence re
latiye to the robbery is on record You have
declared the snuil-bOx to be yours, and | car
prove having purchased it at Il public sale
| know Il secret which will p ace the truth
of my assertion beyond doubt. Now, sir
tell me whether you are inclined to defenl
yourself in the criminal suit which ! inten
| forthwith to institute against YOU"
Every word uttered by the jeweer fell lik,
a thunderbolt ON the ears OF NJ. T
Overwhelmed with the consciousness of hi
guilt, his Imagination pictured all the hor
rors Of Imprisonment, trial, sentence, an,
the scailold lie reflected, and the jewele
said
"Sir, give you five minutes to form you
determination.
At the expiration of that interval, NJ
+, in fatering voice, directed tn
eweer to open drawer, in which he woul,
find JiHets de Janques for three hundre,
thousand francs payable at his bankers tina
day. This being done, the jeweler called il
the witnesses.
"Gentlemen," said he, 81 have at lengtl
convinced NJ. T-of the real value of tn
snuh-box. You see the price at which h
has purchased it back from me"
81 have given five hundred thousan
francs" said M. T.
"Here is your box" said the jeweler, re
storing it, "and will let you have the ring
into the bargain.