American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-03-18

To this the no-ways-discomfited Hub
bard replied, "And, your Honor, it was
the only sensible act of his whole admin
istration." A grin spread itself out on
the faces of the spectators, bar and
Court, which became roar as the Gov
ernor sat down, and, shaking his head
sadly, added: g 1t was the only act of
my administration that l was ashamed
of, and may Heaven forgive me for it. :"
The Man With the Diamonds.
Such a sight may never be seen in
Detroit again-twelve diamond pins ar
tistically arranged on a piece of white
rd-board-twelve glittering, glisten-
ing, sparkling, respondent diamonds,
not one of which would have looked out
of place on the shirt-front of Duke
Alexis.
The diamond merchant was not a
young man; neither was he old and
broken down. He was Just old enough
to sell diamonds, and just about seedy
enough to make folks believe he would
discount thousand dollars on each
precious stone for the sake of obtain
ing cash down. He first tackled the
special policeman at the Central depot
He held up the card, flashed the twelve
diamonds in the officers eyes and
sweetly said:
"You are noble-looking man. I've
visited the principal cities of Europe
and Africa, and 1 never saw a more no.
BILE looking officer than you are. There
is only one thing lacking-you should
have one of these diamonds
"Can't afford it, said the officer,
feeling to see if the lone 50 bill in his
watch pocket was safe.
"These diamonds are being sold by
all first-class jewellers at $500 each, :"
whispered the man; "but l tell you
what I'll do. took 'em on chattel
mortgage, and I'll let you have one for
$25."
"Snide," replied the officer as he ex-
amined them.
"Snide! Dear me! but 1 thought you
were keen, sharp fellow. Go with me
to jeweler and if he denies that these
are diamonds of the first water I'll give
you the whole twelve"
The officer couldn't buy. The man
came down to five dollars and at last
dropped to two, but it was Saturday
and policeman loves chicken for his
Sunday dinner. There were great
many hackmen around the depot. The
stranger went out among them, selected
one whose makeup betokened good
taste, and drawing him away from the
rest he asked:
"You wouldn't go back on a poor
man, would you?"
"Never," was the earnest reply.
"Here's some diamonds I stole in
Paris" whispered the stranger as he
pulled out the card. "I'm hard up,
and will sell one or two.'
The hackman gazed at the jewels for
half minute, handed them back, and
began to unbutton his overcoat.
"You have had good bringing up, :"
whispered the stranger, " and you can
wear one of these diamonds and be con-
sistent. There are men in De-
"I'll hurt you if you don't go away!"
growled the hackman.
GAS said, stole these diamonds in
Paris, and I've got to part with one or
two to pay current expenses" contin-
ued the peddler.
"You keep right away, or III make a
sand-bar of your nose," replied the
hackman. "When want dollar dia-
mond Ill white one out of basswood!"
ga dollar diamond! Eastwood!
Whittle! Is there no taste in Detroit?"
The hackman rushed at the peddler
and the peddler had to leave the neigh
borhood of the depot. He went over
to where city expressman sat on his
sleigh, waiting for a job, and such a
soft, tender, pie-plantish smile as he
smiled would almost make cabbage
plants sprout in January.
"It isn't very often that one sees a
man of your stylish look driving an ex-
press wagon" remarked the stranger.
"Take your trunk up, sirP" asked
the driver. "Any part of the city for
fifty cents.''
"Your looks go to show that you
once moved in high circles" continued
the stranger, sand have no doubt that
you once wore one of these"
sAh! those are beauties,'' said the
driver, as he saw the card of diamonds.
"Guess they are beauties. One of
them on your shirt-front would look
we'll"
"It would that"
"And, owing to the way got hold of
'em, can sell you one cheap. I found
'em on the street in New York City,
where thief dropped 'em, and I'm
hard up and will sell you one almost at
your own price"
"And must have one," replied the
driver. ado you warrant 'em real dia-
mondso"
s'Of course do.''
"And the pin is goldP'
"Pure gold,- sir.''
'And you want how muchp"
"Well," whispered the stranger as he
looked all round, eff you won't blow on
me I'll let you have one for seven dol
lars"
"Seven dollars!" yelled the driver
edo you think 1 can find food for a
horse and nine children, and pay rent,
and buy clothes, and spend seven dol
lore for a dianondp Whv T can b,,x-