Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1881-10-23
MY DIAMOND.

stone. but the details are 80 long ana 80
many they might tire you. Sufficient to
saw that bought it many years ago from
an old Jew, in the lower part OF Broad
way. who told me curious story concern
ing il. He said it was talisman that
fonr hundred years ago it was owned by
Venetian family of ruined fortunes, who
had long guarded 1t with jealous. care; it
had passed from them in many ways to
brothers OF his in the money-lending way,
and should be mine II paid him his price
for IL.
In truth the stone had strange and
fiery CLEAN. At the first glance 1t seemed
Of the pureat water; IN an instant 1t
changed to pink, blue and pale green,
and then iridescent hues, emitting sparks
Of fre.
I watched II curiously for nearly an
hour, talking irrsleyantly the while on
other matters, and reluctantly coming to
tho conclusion that II ever precious stone
possessed uucanny properties this one did.
] thought myself yielding to foolish super
stition, or that my eyes were tired with
long gazing at the gem, and 10 rest them /
turned my glance TO other diamonds in
the casa to compare them with the tails
man. The Jew evidently OWNED my
thought, for he took from his side pocket
wallet and opened 1t, and from COM
partment brought out several small tissue
paper packets, opened them and showed
me large and sparkling diamonds.
"There is not one like that you have in.
your hand" he said. He was right. All
were bright In their glistening fash and
merciless gleam--w wondrously beautiful,
bat all were unlike the talisman.
tWhy do YOU sell itS" asked. "With
OIL this wealth you cannot need money,
and il what you tell me OF its talismanic
property be true, the gem 10 priceless"
~ wiah to sell II II you have the courage
to buy" he said.
II seemed to me that he purposely made
bis tons dramatic, and I smiled soorniully.
A. for the stone itself, liked it; the story
10 told OF its virtue, although ] only half
believed II, interested me. had no fear
OF any evil supernatural influence; it was
just the size wanted to buy. and In shape
and cutting 1t was all that was to be de-
sired.
The old Jew told mo tina. when I was
about to embark In any enterprise that
would prove successful, the stone would
dazzle With unusual brilliancy. II mia
fortune or death we're to come upon me or
NINE the stone would appear dull and al
most neutral.
Now am practical sort OF fellow,
put mad no objection to take the mystery
along with the stone, provided II was
thrown in as bargain and / had not to
pay extra for 1t. In q few moments
made up my mind and counted out to him
si0O. the price he asked for it, and left.
wore the diamond for more than five
years; at frat in q ring, afterwards in a
shirt stud and then again in q ring. 1t
now encircles the finger Of g lovely lady
whose little daughter calls me Papa"
All this time there have been no tragedies
~ our family, and no dear friend has died.
NY own health has been excellent, and
an quite resigned to have IL put down to
imagination on my part that, to me. my
Stone Is bright or dull, according to my
prospects ahead. Only this affirm, that
Mice' wnen to test 1t. went contrary to
,'s warning, the punishment quickly fol-
iowed the offence. Once l speculated in
racine Mail aud lost heavily, and once
asKed sweet lady friend to be my wife,
and she Sefusad me-plump.
ouperstltious or not, as you will, re-
satu my diamond as my talisman, my men,
,or' and ever since my unsuccessful WOO
Jug nave looked upon it with love, not
uhm'xed with awe. One morning when
Iiuihs down town in Q Madison Avenue
cat 70 my business, looked up from my
paper, conscious Of pair of eyes fixed
steadily on me. Opposite was lady OF
about 20 years, dressed in soft, sombre
sray' the only bit OF color TO relieve it.
except the bloom In her refined face--was
oH o. red, low down beneath the brim OF
ner gray felt hat. Her eyes were light. lus-
Tous brown, her hair, much darker and
glossy, was brushed back in waves from
ner low forehead, upon which curl or two
,eli, not the detestable bangs" which I
frankly state abhor, but short, graceful
tflnge,like ringlets, that rested upon the
white brow as II they loved it. There was
no aonbt about 1t, this rare and radiant
maiden was gazing at me. looked at her
~ return with face tried to make ex-
pfessive pr of nothing, certainly no curiosity.
.Ne nne glanced down again at her book, DAN
;e ;e' .neronda. l returned to my telegraph
- I'll. .patches in the Herald. Again felt
ner gaze, and again looked up and met
ner eyes. She evidently wanted 10 sneal,
W me, or else had something on her mind
concerning me. Had ever seen her he
lore asked myself. No She seemed
700 modestly sweet to wish 10 attract tho
S'.ention OF stranger. Perish the Thought
I sa.a inwardly. But she was certainly
looking at me egaln. lam not bad iook.
ing ieilow. and as men go. not a bad sort:
t. nave always been popular with my lady
.I'eahds' .a' and l returned her look this time
Win one OF interest, and am afraid I
smiled. Instantly her face clouded, she
gent over her book and bit her lip anerily.
turned to my paper but not 10 read.
Unce more / looked at my vis-a.vis: she
was steadily gazing at me. could have
sworn TO 1t. oh, my talisman | Won failed
me then, but the fault was mine, / did
.' NO. seek your advice. Just at this moment
sse conductor came hurriedly to the front
u .he ear to speak to the driver, and, as he
was returning, the lady in gray said to