Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-10-31
The sturp Tener.
THE LOST DIAMONDS.

was about, as near as I can remember, II
o'clock in the morning of bitterly cold day
in December. 1 had drawn near my count
ing.house fire, and was looking into the glow
ing Goals, my thoughts very far away from
Barbican. My Imagination wandered to the
seat of war, where such terrible privations
and blood freezing cold and acute suffering
rendered all the more so by shocking mlsman
agement-encompas our poor brave tel
lows round about; and just as deep sigh
came from my lips, my shop door opened and
there entered fine, tall, handsome looking
gentleman, who, by his dress and bearing, was
evidently a clergyman. At least thought
80 at the time, as would nybody else, for that
matter. His attire was of the best material
and make, and scrupulously neat; and bis
peckband was as white as the driven snow
Moreover, gold.rimmed spectacles, and heavy
seals depending from his watch-fob, gave him
not only highly respectable appearance, but
stamped him as wealthy withal. That IS to
say, I thought go. Well, up he marched to
nv counter with tolerably long strides, re-
moved his hat (of the first qualtyO and
placed it upon my counter, (his well-arranged
silver hair became him immensely. :. and gave
me good morning and smile which was
intellectually pleasing and good to see. This
man is q Christian goodness and gentleness
beam on every feature, mentally told myself
I put on my best manner, and politely asked
him bis pleasure.
"'I have been recommended to you, sir, Che
mentioned the name of firm which dealt
largely in bar silver) I am given to under.
atand,' he continued, that you have varied
and very valuable selection of ladies diamond
ornaments '.."'
II sigui6ed that such was the case. no-
".Well,' he proceeded, i am somewhat
anxious, sir, to see and examine some OF your
possessions. The fact is, my daughter-my
only daughter, pure end sweet.tempered
child-is on the eve Of marriage, and l (nas-
urally, you will say,) am desirous OF giving
her substantial wedding present. Very good.
Mind! l want nothing gaudy, nor-pardon
me, Mr. Filby-nor do desire any artfuly
contrived specimen of the jewelers. art of de-
cepiion. l want something solid and substan-
tial-articles that look what they really are
and do not mind how high 60 as to price.
II placed before him several trays of gems
of exquisite workmanship, upon which l
looked with pride. .a... 49,
"After careful examination, he selected q
pair of diamond earrings (eS0), a diamond
bracelet (s2OO, butterfly brooch-one mass
of glitter and dazzle-and hslt-hoop dla-
mond ring (the two e152 1857 A tolerably
good morning 3 work, you will say. We shall
see. Well, after I had fitted the trinkets to
superior cases, and when had packed them
in as small compass as | we'll could, the
reverend gentleman felt in his pocket for the
money wherewith to pay me. He drew out
from his breast pocket, goodly sized Russian
leather case, and tenderly singing out some
bank notes and check, proceeded to settle
for his purchase.
"The check is good, you will perceive, he
began.
AMY dear, sir, I interrupted, (the check
was perfectly genuine, was convinced, seeing
that it bore the signature of the firm that had
mentioned my name).
"'I know what you would say, sir, he said
holding up his hand, while look of extreme
sh.ewdness covered his face; you would say
that you have implicit faith in me. That is
wroug-utterly wrong! As business man,
YOU should be careful. 1t behooves us all to
be SO at times. Clearly, you know me not,
and deception abounds. For instance, may
not be minister at all. l may, in fine, he
none other than knave-a wolf in sleeps
clothing Saying which, he laughed laugh
which, somehow or other, seemed to CRATE on
my ear.
"However, be proceeded to pay the amount
due me, as | have said.
"'Let me see,' he continued, musingly; 1T
will be, in all, ur-three-two-ten. Good
if you will kindly look over these, Mr.. Filby,
you will find there is three. pence short of the
required sum, which I will pay you in copper
coin Immediately. He removed his spectacles
and pushed over to me three one hundred
pound Bank of England notes, ten five pound
notes and the check spoken of, which was for
eighty. three pounds and nine pence. Satisfied
that the notes were genuine, l looked up at
my wealthy customer and found him fumb-
ling in pocket after pocket for the money.
"My dear SIR l exclaimed, pray don't
bother about the triAing pence. If you are
satisfied, am thoroughly So
May be rejoined that will not do.
Business is business. You are entitled to your
demand-aye, and to the uttermost farthing:
l buy goods of you for certain amount; l
therefore, must pay you every iota OF that
certain amount, or [ shall not be easy IN my
mind
"A really upright man this; lucky the con-
gregation that had so just and evenly-bs!an-
ced man for their pastor. So ran my
thoughts, as he counted out the remaining
threepence, and placed them in my hand with
kind of dig, as though he were glad to get
rid of them, and set his mind at ease.
81 chanced to look toward my shop door,
and saw a tall, heavily-built man peering
through the glass. On seeing my gaze stead:
lily fixed at him, he pushed open the door and
entered with firm tread. He had kind OF
eagle-eye, this man-eager, sidelong, piercing
thoughtful brows, too; and there was huge
determination about the lower part of his
face. Shaking the snow from off his coat,
stamping his feet upon my shop carpet,
(Which 1 thought rather cool proceeding),
and unfastening the lappets of his sealskin
travelling cap, he gave deep.drawn grunt OF
relief, and exclaimed in a bluff, boisterous
manner: In time, after all My birds not
flown by all that's palpable! Congratulate
thyself, thou man of gold and silver and pre-
cious stones !; and, furthermore, congratulate
me on my aptitude for scenting Slippery Dick 7
Then, letting fall his voice, he added: You
have had a narrow escape, sir I've no doubt
now that our reverend friend here has con-
trived to lessen your stock of,goods pretty
considerably-has been q pretended (mark
that D purchaser to very tidy tuueP
eff you mean, sir, whoever you may be,
that this gentleman has paid great deal OF
money to me- I returned, somewhat indig'
nantly, you are right in your conjecture.