The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-03-07
CHAPTER VII.
THE DIAMOND MERCHANT.

Saul Macy went out into the streets thai
February night, with wintry stars shining
above him; but with summer light in his
soul sach as he had not known for mgnJ
yean
He walked fat, and kept in the shadGr
Of buildings; foE his old oYercoat, SfaacEss
ed and warmly padded by Susie's busy IN
gers, was not garment to be displayed un.
der gus light
The diamond merchants place of business
was on a street between Bowery and Broad
way; and though Saul did not know the
Rumber, he remembered having seen the
name on small sign, some years before
After orUssing the Bowery, he kept a sharp
eye uE:z tha horses and his heart Jumped
wheE BE came suddenly upon the very
same sign, ''Moss Cohen. Diamonds
Bought" in gilt letters:
The clocks were striking eight, as he
mounted several stone Steps, and, on ring
ing the bell, was admitted into a business
parlor, where SAT- an old gentleman, be-
fore a sea-cOal fire, reading his news
paper.
Saul Macy was well-formed man, stand
ing erect In his boots about five feet ten
inches, and compactly built. In his shah
by overcOat, and with a rusty hat in his
hand, he looked like a strong day Iaborer,
but that particular days work, ending sc
violently, had left soma very ll-favOred
marks upon him; for the bandage Susie had
Bound on his forehead covered one eye, and
there were ugly scratches on his cheeks
Shich gave sinister cast TO his Wis
EAe ssrving-girl looked suspiciously on
e. visitor she admitted to Mr.. Moss Cohen,
end held the door ajar q moment. peeping
In, to see how he would be received.
Moss Cohen sat under a couple of gas
Jets, before the blazing CRATE, and a cloud
OF fragrant smoke rose from cigar he
took from his lips, a. they opened, with Q
questiOn, in sharp tones
We'll, sir! Whats your business with
me ?''
''You buy diamonds 1 have brought a
diamond to sell chats my business - an
gweTAd Macy, in his straightforward way;
and In tone as sharp as the other mans.
Stand where you are, sir 20 said the
ED Jew, as his visitor made a movement of
adv lnce, with one hand feeling tbs ring in
his breast pocket. Macy stopped short:
and the old Hebrew pointed to a revolver on
table, between his chair and the door.
You may be an honest man, +" said Moss
Cohen. But appearances are against youi
That revolver Is a SIX shooter, and you see
1t lies under my hand 20
saul Macy felt, for an instant, very indig-
pant; but his good sense saw reason in the
Jews precautiOn. 'FYou are right, Mr..
Cohen - he responded. "a poor mans
appearance is usually against him. Take
your revolver In hand sir | have no
weapon but this diamond ring -
And you want to sell it," remarked
the merchant.
q want to sell it," replied Macy.
Do you smoke 2" inquired the old man
mot such cigars as yours said Saul
"There's an odOr OF Cuban valleys in this
fragrant atmosphere 20
"Good!" said Cohen, looking at his
rough customer, with a surprised glance
Take off your great coat, and if you re no
bandit in disguise, join me in smoke, and
we'll talk business"
Saul Macy's manly heart responded to
this frank invitation, with a bound, as he
slipped off that old Overcoat in a moment,
and stood in his last and only black frock,
which Susie had mended that day
''There, Mr.. CokEn !" said the me
chanic; ''if you can overlook this bandage
my wife put over cut [ got few hours
since, think l can talk and smoke too,
by your Ice Te %
"Umpk !'' Qussh tbs Hebrew; ''you got
come honestly by both 20
AS honestly as | came by this ring, sirl''
answered Macy; handing the jew the dia-
mond cluster, while Cohen pointed to a box
of cigars on the table, and babe him sit up
to the fire.
81 like to deal with men whose eyes are
visible - said Moss Cohen, with quick
eye-shOt of his own, over his customers
covered cheek and forehead.
= ''And L ike to deal with men whose
hearts are not hidden - retorted Saul.
"Umph ~ said the old man, you're
SHARPE
And then he added--"than l ought to be,
sir =,
look at your ring =, said the merchant.
Macy took match from his vest pocket,
and stood up under the gas Jet, to light the
glossy brown roll, which he recognized as
a tirst-class importation. For Saul, in his
better days, had visited Havana. and
smoked the weed on its native soil.
Moss Cohen, though he scrutinized the
ring, was watching his visitor quite as
closely. When Saul sat down, and began
to smoke, their eyes met; but the Jew
kept silence, and turned the ring over in
abruptly touched springfield on the table,
and, almost Immediately, the door of side
room opened, and young, black-headed
Israelite presented himself.
'fLOuis - said the merchant, 'fyou can
take this card; but you need not 60, until ]
ring again 20 He wrote some lines rapidly |
on blank card, slipped the card into ar
envelope, and handed it to the young man.
who looked at the direction, said, Eyes, |
sir 20 and disappeared.
Something in Saul Aacy's mind told him |
that the card related to the business he was |
transacting But the Man of Power gave !
no indication of suspicion. He puffed his !
cigar with the zest Of an ancient smoker, |
who had not breathed such an aroma for |
many years, and calmly waited for the Jew /
10 hnIsb bus examination.