Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-06-08
Adroit Robber.

An old bachelor am !, with q very
snug little income. Everyone ut my
time of life has his fancies, ] am q
collector not of old books or stuffed
birds, or dirty soaweed anl grasses, but
Of precious stones. My friend. say II IL
an odd taste, observe people always
do say this of theil ncighbors' hobbies.
OF course, my collection isa modest one
cannot afford TO buy stones at n price
of ilyo figures, l began my store with
some really fine uncut jewels n relative
picked up in the Fast, in those early
lays Of our Indian empire, when that
opcmtion known as Shaking the pa
goda tree" was pacticod, Then an old
aunt bcqucathed mo certain "iamily
diamonds" and ! have bought a little
or myself 1t is less for their intrinsic
value than rs specimens OF different
kind of precious stones that value my
Jewels. The science of minoralogy has
always been fascinating one to me and
| mean (somc.day) to give to the world
n treatise on gems, which ! have dcvot-
ed years to drawing mp.
was sitting one morning IN my
study, when q note and card were
brought in to me. The card bore an
unfamiliar name, "lIerr Schlossman.
The note (,,nsealed) was from my old
friend Merton. Merton lives little
way ont of town, but We constantly ex'
change letters and visits. Merton takes
interest in science and mineralogy, and
we belong to great many societies, in
which the ignorant general public take
no interest Merton would be q col
lector if he could, but he has to frittel
away on wife and five children what
would stock n decent cabinet of gems.
His note was only to introduce a
foreign friend, Herr Schlossman, the
bearer of the letter. VI seemed the
Herr was a German savant, come to
England on visit to Merton. He (the
GERMANY was like myself, an enthusiast
about gems, and Merton wanted me to
allow him to look at my collection.
"Of course | am aware that it is toe
valuable to be exhibited to casual
strangers wrote Merton, "but you
need have no fear of Herr Schlossman,
He is an old and valued friend of mine,
rich man, and collector himself
This, by the way, was rather an argu-
ment against his honesty; collectors
are sometime light-fingcred among theil
neighbors' treasures. "He is merely
anxious to look at your jewels as sam
pie of fine private collection OF gems.
"Show the gentleman in," said, as ]
selected the key that opened the iron
door of the large safe, imbedded in the
library wall, where l kept my collection
of Jewels. The safe is behind sham
bookcase, and the iron door is covered
with glass with backs of books pasted
against it no one could detect it among
the rows of bookshelves lining the wall
Well, did my best to take care of my
property.
Herr Schlossman proved most
pleasant, agreeable man, speaking Eng
iish so perfectly that should hardly
have taken him for German at all. He
admired my collection extremely, and
was certainly good judge of jewels
He rapidly valued all mine, with quite
professional accuracy, and was n perfect
mine of information on the subject O.
precious stones-so much so that l ven
tured to inquire if he were dealer
merchant / believe called it) in sucl
wares himself.
"Well, not exactly" he said, smiling
"but good many valuable stones pass
through my hands from time to time.
! did not press my inquiries further
and we talked on pleasantly; it was 81
agreeable to find sympathetic mind
When the Herr rose to depart, l fell
that one of the most agreeable hours
had ever passed had come to an end
I pressed him much to stay and dine
but he was unfortunately engaged tina
evening, and was due at Merton's mex
day, in fact; as he smilingly said, hi
only business in London had been tt
inspect my beautiful collection. HI
was preparing work on curious speci
mems of precious stones, it seemed, ant
was anxious to describe some of min'
in it. To insure full justice being don'
to their merits, l told him 1 woult
write the account myself, and forward j
to him to make use of as lhe saw best.
I was so eager to fulfil my promise
that / sat down at once to my task, leav
ing the safe open IA thing never do a
rule), in case l had to refer to th'
shelves to verify my description.
I had just given the shape and weigh
of my largest topaz, when my servan
knocked at the door.
"Please sir, German gentleman,
can't rightly hear his name, wants t.
see yOu."
"Show him in," 1 answered, neve
doubling that it was my worthy frien'
returned. But in walked shabby oil
man, who looked dusty, and disrepu-
table, and not at all person to intro
duce into a room with jewels lyint
about.
81 am Herr Schlossman," he began.
"There must be some mistake" / said
coldly; "for the only Herr Schlossmal
I am acquainted with, friend of an oil,
friend of mine, has just left this house.
Zach Himmel - cried the German
waving his hands excitedly. "Den da
is de rogue, de rascal. dat pick m.
pocket and steal my purse, my papers
all-alll" and he jumped and gesticu
lated as only foreigner can.
As ho calmed down, he began long
winded story of having arrived earl.
that morning, and finding that hi
pocket had been picked at the station
whereby he had lost all the none.
about him, also letter of introduction
| 10 r,a from, Marfon Hia lu0oaoe hat