The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-02-24
The Man with the Diamonds.
detroit Free Press.

1
detroit Free Press
Such sight may never be seen in De
troit again-twelve diamond pins artis.
tically arranged on a piece of white
cardboard twelve glittering, glistening,
sparkling, resplehdent diamonds, not
one of which would have looked out OF
place on the shirt front of Duke Alexis.
The diamond merchant was not young
man; neither was he old and broken
down. He was about old enough to sell
diamonds, and just about seedy enough
to make folks believe he would discount
thousand dOllas on each precious stone
for the sake of obtaining 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 a noble-looking man. I've
visited the principal cities of Europe
and Africa, and / never saw more
noble-looking officer than you. There is
one thing lacking-you should have one
of these diamonds"
"Can't afford it," replied the officer,
feeling to see if the lone two-dollar bill
in his watch-pocket was safe.
"These diamonds are being sold by all
firstclass jewellers at five hundred dollars
each," whispered the man; "but I'll
let you have one for twenty-five dollars"
"Snide," replied the officer as he ex-
amined them.
"Snide Dear mel but l thought
you were keen, sharp fellow. Go with
me to a 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 a 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 60 back on poor
man, would you?'
"Neverp was the earnest reply.
Here's some diamonds l stole in
Paris" whispered the stranger, as he
pulled out the card. "Tm hard up, and
will sell one or two"
The hackman gazed at the jewels foi
half a minute, handed them back, and
began to unbutton his overcoat.
{" You have had a good bringing up
whispered the stranger, "and you can
wear one of these diamonds and be con.
sistent. There are men in De"
"Ill hurt you if you don't go away p'
growled the hackman.
AS l said, stole these diamonds in
Paris, and Pve got to part with one or two
to pay current expenses" continued the
peddler.
"You keep right away, or I'll make g
sandbar of your nose" replied the hack
man. " When l want dollar diamond
I'll whittle one out of basswood!"
GA dollar diamond! Eastwood
Whittle! Is there no taste in Detroit p
The hackman rushed at the peddler
and the peddler had to leave the neigh
borhood of the depot. He went over tt
where city expressman sat on hi!
sleigh, waiting for job, and such soft
tender, pie-plantish smile as he smiled
would almost make cabbage-plants
sprout in January.
" 1t isn't very often that one sees {
man of your sty lish look driving an ex
press wagon" remarked the stranger.
"Take your trunk up, sir" asked the
driver; "any part of the city for fifty
cents"
"Your looks 60 to show that you once
moved in high circles" continued the
stranger, "and ] have no doubt that you
once wore one of these"
"Ah! those are Beauties" said the
driver, as he saw the card of diamonds
"Guess they are beauties. One o
them on your shirt-front would lool
WELL"
"It would that %
"And, owing to the way / got hold O
them, | can sell you one cheap. found
'em on the street in New York City
where thief dropped 'em, and Pm hare
up and will sell you one almost at YOU
own price,"
"And l must have one," replied the
driver. "Do you warrant 'em rea
diamondsW
"Of course / do"
"And the pin is gold~
"Pure gold, SIR"
"And you want how muchp'
"Well,' whispered the stranger, as he
looked all round, elf you won't blow or
me, I'll sell you one Tor seven dollars. u
"Seven dollars!" yelled the driver
ado you think can find food for horse
and nine children, and pay rent, and
buy clothes, and spend seven dollars fol
a diamond =? Why, can buy diamonds
for two shillingsP'
"Oh, no you can't. If wasn't hard
up / wouldn't sell one of these for lesl
than five hundred dollars"
"Haven't l driven an express wagor
in Detroit for fourteen years? Don't
know the price of diamonds? Wasn't
in the army for three long years? III
give you twenty cents and no more"
"I couldn't do that"
"Then leave me alone, you swindle
you! l believe you came here to stea
my horse-blanketp
The two had fight. 1t was a one
sided fight. The stranger had his heat
jammed into the snow and his breatl
shut off, and when he got up his twelv,
diamonds were missing. Although valued
at $4,000, he did not stop to look fo
them, but with thumb and finger dow
behind his coat collar to pull out tn
Jumps of snow, he made haste to be some
where else. The driver borrowed phi
to take the place of shirt-button, ant
feelingly Hmarked:
"When they runs diamonds up abov
twenty-five cents they touches a tende
| chord in everv moor mans heart y,