The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-06-23
THE SACK OF DIAMONDS.

The SACK OF DIAMONDS.
None but old inhabitants remember
DIR. Grambois, LIE Phdrna0cien, whose
drug store is at the corner of Esplanade
and Burgundy streets. He was native
of Marseilles, perfectly versed in the
science and practice of his profession,
and SO familiar with the diseases of this
country that he gave useful advice to the
poor who resorted to his pharmocia.
The business of New Orleans drug
gist is in one respect somewhat like that
of soldier. There are periods of ac-
tivity and repose in both. When an
epidemic of any sort occurred, DR.. Gram
bois was necessarily employed. When
the public health was restored and the
city slumbered through her siestd of the
summer, like an Andalusian beauty, DIR.
Grambois would sit on the banquette
before his pha,msacie, to enjoy la Jtraiche
as the evening Gulf breeze swept up the
noble Esplanade, while the Creole gos-
sips dropping in, one by one, would find
spacious chairs and hearty welcome.
There they would exchange greetings
and cigars, discuss the latest news from
France, or from the parishes. The solic-
itude of the Creole Of that period rarely
went beyond home and motherland.
DIR. Grambois long since realized the
dream of every Frenchman. He has ac-
quired competency and returned to
France.
As the topics of talk at LIE Pharmocie
Gransbois have become traditional, it
will not be unacceptable to those inter-
ested in the earlier customs of our people
to read sketches of those days from the
narration of the old men who have re-
membered them.
We give, then, as a veritable legend,
the history Dun sac en- CUR 1olei,s de
d50mdaats."
cit was," said the narrator, Gin the
year 1842. I was clerk in the mercan-
tile house of a Louisiana Creole, estab-
lished in Rue Boule Rouge, Paris. I had
been, as my old friends remember, sent
to France for education. It was q mis-
take common among our people at that
time. It is much better to train up
youth in the country in which they are
to pass their lives"
''Je ne a1e'ase pas CONNIE ca, inter-
posed LIE Pere Renaud, "Je prefere aller
en- Mexique. Je maine pasles coquins
Americans moi"
The old gentleman arose, walked
few steps on his banquette, took pro-
longed price of course granulatod Per-
ique tobacco from small silver box, and
sat down. s.-.r
The narration of MIR. Paul went on:
SIT was the custom of the Creoles of
Louisiana, of whom there were many in
Paris, to assemble in our counting rooms
after business hours, as we do here, to
hear and tell the news. A letter, or a
newspaper, was then a special communi-
cation, and we would learn with interest
of the duel between the young bloods at
Ie Bayou du Chenes, with the scandal
on the soufaet, which had occasioned it.
The marriage of some, or possibly the
separation du bieas ct du corps of some
incongruous or improvident couple, or
the death of some old citizen, with the
shares of each heritier, all of which
would revive the memory of the persons
mentioned and furnish subjects of con-
versation.
''The head of our house had transac-
hons in Mexico and South America, SO
that some persons interested in that
quarter of the world came sometimes
to our house to learn casual news
or to talk about people or events
which had in former times interested
them.
Zone evening there came the citizen
L. Roux He was an Huissier. or an
officer corresponding perhaps with our
Constable. Anyway he had to sell the
chairs and tables of the poor, which duty
he disliked, and would say that he would
rather belong to le corps du Do,dne,
and fight with the thieves and smugglers.
There was no doubt such duty would
have suited him very well, for he had
been soldier of the Emperor to the last,
and though now advanced in years was a
man of strong frame, yet kindly in his
manners, as such brave natures usually
are.
1--WE were speaking of the good fortune
of an acquaintance in the cochineal trade,
who had bought quantity of that com
modify from Guatemala across to the
ports Of Mexico during the war between
Spain and England, and especially how
he had once drawn a mule load of silver
dollars through Mexico, through the
honesty OF the drrierOs of that country
and in spite of the ladrones on the one
side and the Custom House officers on
the other.
"Mais oui,' remarked LIE Pere Re-
maud, you may trust los cargaderos, sans
recu, better zan re bon of re maudite
gouvernement of Pensilvanie, Arkansas
or Meeseeseepee. Je perd mon argent
wheech Mazereau, le grand avocat, ave
tell me was safparfaitment. Mais oui.
Le arriero Mexicaine, he weel keel ze
urId dof o,,N INy-srr nd
pour proteger votre argent. Ze charge
re prise du rabac.
tegrity of the Mexican carrier by several
quick inhalations of Perique, and by
brushing from his vest the particles
/ which fell from his fingers.
'fWhen the adventure of the cochineal
merchant had been discussed, Lie ROux
remarked, with a laugh:
"I had myself q chance to have made
q coup in the same manner, but my
mules were not protected SO WE'LL
"'And your coup, Mons. LIE Roux?
asked the head of the house.
"You shall hear. It was after the fall
of France into the hands Of the barbar-
ians OF the North. I had been brought
wounded into Paris. When came out
of the hospital there was no employment
for me. Paris was in the hands Of our
enemies. 1t seemed that our own peo.
| pie we're more jealous than Others All
wished to gain the favor of the Bourbons
Merchants, mechanics, modistes, bar
bers, bOn'aes, all sought the custom O
the Court. do not blame them. AL
must live. The Emperor and his sol