The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-10-05


10 one PIN: ................ 5000
10 one feather. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. IL, 90
Total. .......................$ 1l1,1oo
This is the most valuable set of Jewels
In the market in this country, and is sur
rounded by admiring crowds from morn
ing until night.
Previous to 1S4S few diamonds were
imported by Americans, but with the pro-
duction of California gold came taste
forprecious stones, which soon increased
the value Of the diamonds annually pass
ing through the United States Customs
Houses from 100000 to 100000.
This, however, does not represent the
total annual importation, for smuggling
was so extensively practiced that lead
ing jeweler declared it his belief that
less than ne-sixth of the gems imported
paid duty.
All is not gold that glitters, neither is
anything that sparkles a diamond, al
though it may be purchased for one
Anna Maria fairly adored the Fitzhugh
Adolphus who with such happy speech
and winning manners presented her with
diamond necklace. 1.-The dear, dear
fellow" she would exclaim, and then ask
her lady friend if they the diamosds)
were not $50 lovelyr' But when her
brother Jack turned up his nose and said
the diamonds were pastes she first became
indignant at Jack, then cried little, and
ended by declaring that Adolphus was
"just horrid y" All of which would not
have occurred had the pastes been well
executed, or Jack novice in jewels, for
the art of initiating gems has been so
much perfected that experts are required
to detect well-made limitations. A COM
position has been obtained which presents
a hard, fine, lustrous appearance; these
mock diamonds depend most, however,
on the artistic construction and setting of
the tinsel pasted behind them. Mons.
BourguignOn, of Paris, who has world
wide reputation as manufacturer of
pastes, exhibits in the French Department,
Main Building, fac SMILES of some of the
most famous diamonds of the world
Among these limitations is that of the Koh-
i-noor-" Mountain of Light (Which is
stone of immense size and roman
tic history. For a thousand years it
was stolen from sovereign by sovereign,
and was the cause of numerous petty
wars among Oriental tribes. 1t at last
fell into the possession of a ruler who styled
himself "Aurunzebe, Baber of the Mo-
guls,' and who thought the stone could
be improved by polishing. He intrusted
the diamond to an ignorant and unskilled
cutter, by whom its weight was reduced
from 1893 carats to 1856. Aurunzebe was
with difficulty restrained from cutting the
| workman down in the same proportion,
so great was that sovereign's rage. The
stone should 1t have been reduced to a
weight of less than 400 carats, and at that
size it would have been worth s. 900, 900.
The diamond was finally captured by
British troops in one of England's East
ern wars, and was added to the crown
jewels of the kingdom. 1t was exhibited
at the Great Exhibition of 1851, where it
attracted much attention. 1t has since
been recut and polished by Costar, of Am
sterdam, and, although it now weighs
but 106 carats, its beauty and brilliancy
were much increased by the operation.
Another gem, an imitation Of which is
exhibited by Mons. Bourguignon, is the
famous "Moon of the Mountains" now
one of the finest stones in the Russian I'M
perial collection. The history of this
stone is one of murder and bloodshed, and
has such tragic interest that l cannot
forbear inserting portion here:
Many years ago three brothers bearing
the common name of Chafras, were walk
ing leisurely up one of the narrow streets
of Bagdad. Suddenly the eldest stopped,
and, pointing to stranger, said to his
brother: -. ~ .e~;4
Here is the Afghan that we have been
looking for so long" 81
He shall not escape us this time,' re-
piled one of the others.
Allah is great! Fear pothing!' said
to him the eldest of the brothers. " am
! Chafras, to whom thou vast seeking ev-
erywhere, some time ago, to sell him the
diamond called Moon of the Mountains
These are my brothers, and we are now
ready to close the bargain without delay"
"-Ah, my good sirs, i am sorry for you,
bat I am no longer 1.-THE owner of that
superb diamond, replied the Afghan.
"What hast thou done with it ?"
+ ."Allah be praised! l have sold it to
Mordecai, the Jew, for s., 900 piastres and
a pair Of fine horses -
Upon request Of the three brothers, the
accommodating Afghan led them to the
residence OF the Jew, of whom they at
tempted to purchase. the precious gem.
But he refused all their offers, frankly
telling the three brothers that he was well
aware of the diamonds great value.
g Infidel dog!'' exclaimed the eldest of
the brothers, when they had retired from
the humble dwelling of Mor1ecai, "he is
too sharp for u.s." -. :
+ But, as the sequel proves, he was not too
sharp for them, for that very night the
brothers Chafras returned to The residence
Of the Jew, forced an entrance, and, after
numbering the unfortunate man in his
bed, secured the ttMoon of the Mount
aims" and departed. This did not satisfy
them ;ihowever, and So they invited the
Afghan to dine with, them; he accepted
the invitation, and poison was placed IN
his wine by his murderous hosts. The
brothers then took. the, 1000 piastres,
which their victim had received of Nor
decai, and in great haste fed the country.
But, owing to the exceeding great value
of the. :. Moon, of the Mountains" much
trouble arose when the brothers came to
divide ,their spoils., The eldest finally
proposed that gu Should retire for the
night, and to the one who should receive
the plainest token of love and preference
from Allah the great diamond would be
given. So each retired, thinking that be-
fore day he Would Conceive OF some &C.
count Of dream to tell his brothers that
would secure to him the coveted prize.
But during the night the two younger
tbrothers were, murdered BY the eldest,
| who became possessor Of the great stone
I a. wsh asof the othersill. gotten property
1 of r>hisa VICTIMS Chafras then jour
AL fov vo,,rrnoo