The Hawaiian gazette., 1876-04-05
Adventure of a Diamond Vender in
Detroit.

! Such sight may never be seen in Detroit
sgain-twelve diamond pins artistcally arrang-
/ ed on a white card board-twelye glittering,
ylistening, sparkling, respondent diamonds, not
one of which would have looked out Of place on
the shirtfrOnt of Duke Alexis.
The diamond merchant was not a young man (;
neither was he old and broken down He was Just
about old enough to sell diamonds and just
about seedy enough to make folks believe be
would discount a thousand dollars on each pre-
cious stone for the sake of obtaining cash down.
He first tackled the special policeman at the
Central depot. He held up the card, flashing
the twelve diamonds in the officers eyes, and
sweetly said
" You are q uobIe-lookng man. I've visited
the principal cities of Europe and Africa, and
never saw a more nobIe-looking officer than you
There is only one thing Iacking-you should have
one of these diamonds"
" Can't afford it, replied the officer, feeling
to see if the lone two-doiIars bill in his watch
pocket was safe.
These diamonds are being sold by all first
class jewellers at $500 each,' whispered the man,
but LII tell you what I'll do. took them on
chattel mortgage, aud III let you have Que Tor
twenty five dollars"
Snide replied the officer, as he examined
them.
Snide Dear me but l thought you we're
q keen, sharp fellow. Go with me to a jeweller,
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 came down
to five dollars, and at last dropped to two, but it
was Saturday, and policeman loves chicken for his
Sunday diuner. There were great many hack
men around the depot. The stranger went out
among them selected one whose makeup betok-
ened good taste. and drawing him away from the
rest he asked
You wouldn't go back on poor man, would
your
Never" was the earnest reply
Here's some diamonds l 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
button his overcoat.
You have had good bringing up whisper
ed the stranger, Z" and you cun wear one Of these
diamonds and be consistent. There are men IN
"I1 hurt you if you don't go away" grOwled
the hackman.
AS said, l stole these diamonds in Paris,
and I've got to part with one or two to pay eur.
rent expenses" continued the peddler.
"a dollar diamond Eastwood Whittle
Is there no taste in Detroit?'
The hackman rushed at the peddler. and the
peddler had TO leave the neighborhood of the de-
pot. He went over to where a city expressman
sat on his sleigh, waiting for q job, aud such
SOFT tender pie-plantish smile as he smiled would
almost make cabbage plants sprOut in January.
" 1t isn't very Often one sees man Of your
stylish look driving an express wagon" remark
ed the stranger.
Take your trunk up, sir?' 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, " and
have no doubt that you wore one of these"
All those are beauties" said the driver, as
he saw the card of diamonds"
Guess they we're beauties. One of them on
your shirt front would look we'll"
" 1t would that"
Sand, owing to the way l got hold Of EN-, l
can sell you one cheap. | found em on the
street In New York City, where thief dropped
EN-, and I'm hard up and will sell you one al
most at your own price,"
And must have one" replied the driver,
q Do you warrant them real diamonds ?"
"0f course do"
And the pin is gold ?"
+" Pure gold, sir"
And yOu want how much p
well" whispered the stranger as he looked
all around, if you wont blow on me Iii let you
have one for seven dollars
"Seven dolarsl' yelled the driver; " do you
think can find food for horse and nine child
rem, and pay rent, and buy clothes, aud spend
seven dollars for diamond? Why, 1 can buy
diamonds for two shings !"
"Oh, no you can't. II l wasn't hard up |
wouldn't sell one of these for less than $500"
Haven't driven an express wagon in De
troit fer fourteen years Don't know the price
70 diamonds Wasn't in the army for three
long years I'll give twenty cents and no more"
u couldn't do that"
Then leave me alone, you swindler, you
believe you came here to steal my horse-blan
ket p
The two had fight. 1t was n onosided fight.
The stranger had his head jammed into the snow
and his breath shut of, and when he got up his
twelve diamonds we're missing. Although valued
at $4,000, he did not stop to look for them. but
with his thumb and fuger down behind his coat
collar to pull out the Jumps Of snow, he made
haste to be somewhere else. The driver borrowed
a pin to take the place Of a shrt-butfon, aud feel
ingly remarked:
e When they runs diamonds up above twenty
five eents thew touch a lender chord in every moor