The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-07-13
id not exchange word sxcsnt to invita-

clothing, in which, indeed I received
n very poor equivalent The hat of
coarse fibre, the shirt of cotton, the
pantaloons of the same material which
came no lower than my knees, with
coarse sandals, completed the attire.
The guide produced n small gonrd con-
tanning the Juice of plant which gave
brown coloring to the skin. My hair,
which was long and black, was made
straight, and with the slouched hat, gave
me an intermediate air as something be-
tween ladrone and a muleteer; good
deal Of coal dust grimed around my neck.
face and eyes, completed tho disguise.
The guide applied all this himself step
ping back and regarding me from time
to time as an artist would have done his
work. He then took the saddle and
furniture from off the mule and led him
away into the forest In due time he
returned with three large sacks of char.
coal bound upon the animal, and gave
me some instructions as to the measures
and prices at which the coal was to be
sold | knew well enough the money
and measures of the country. The guide
took final look Mt me. offered him
money, which he declined by gesture
He then turned into the forest and
was left with my mule and his precious
burden.
81 was within three leagues of Rio and
advanced driving the mule before me.
| met many of the stolid people who
made signs of salutation with more or
less curiosity. Some seemed to think
I was a new mcrch0nd dU charbOH, hut
none seemed to doubt my nationality.
Of course ! kept the mule between my
self and these passengers as much rs
possible began to think it would do.
My thoughts had indeed escaped from
the peril of my situation and | was
beginning to think once more of Paris
and the Rio Guingette wherein two years
before | had left Il little girl who ! had
thought to marry so soon as | should
have acquired the means to do so. A
prospect was now apparent | began
to rctrace her features. 1t occurred to
my mind that in returning to France as
millionaire should cmbarrass the poor
girl greatly by elevating her to social
class 50 far above her own. In Justice
to her then, I would not complicate her
or myself, In thus meditating / was
startled by person who stood in front
of my mule. To my surprise it WAS the
guide, accoutred Just rs he had been
before our exchange of habiliments.
" 'Scnor said he, the road is guarded
by soldiers. They have heard that a
large value (nluchOs rcu'cS) has been
taken from the mines, and they await
| the bearer. Bueuos dos Senior And,
this impassive messenger turned and
disappeared.
at was certainly unnecessary for him
| to advise me. turned my mule from
the pathway into the forest, took the
leather sack of diamonds on my shoulder
and proceeded to conceal it in some
place in which no one would he apt to
find it but myself. had nothing but
knife with which to make an eXcava-
ton | worked for several hours, and
having food for myself, led my mule to
water aud tethcrcd him to some shrubs
which he seemed to like, and toiled until
late in the night. When the day APP
pearcd ! marked the way from the path
way in the most prudent manner posi-
bic, and taking my mule and its cargo,
somewhat diminished in value by the
deposit, resumed my road to market
About II o'clock | was halted by u picket
guard They looked Mt me with sus-
picion, but proceeded Immediately to
examine my charcoal. 1t was emptied
out of the sack on the ground. | was
searched and about to be stripped, which
would have shown marked difference
in tho color of my legs and body, when
the Sergeant said:
"'PObre DiaUoio, he couldn't have
the diamonds upon him. They were in
a leather sack Let him go.
"Upon this reprieye | began to gather
up the coal in such manner that my |
resemblance to one of the trade was |
a good deal improved. | was asked if [
had seen or heard of any one on tho
road. / told of my purchasing the ami
NAL at the Camp los Perdidos, and SO
to escape and proceed on tho
trip. | do not suppose that the house
keepers of Rio had ever made n better
bargain for their GrdSicrOs than in the
sacrifice Of my stock. The mule was
into money the day after.
The purchaser no doubt thought I had
stolen him. | returned to my lodgings
It night, resumed my clothing, but
Weakened next morning with burping
ever, which increased until it reached
insanity itself.
con my restoration to reason found
he French Consul at my bedside. NY
Iotel experience was very much that of
Ill Blas-my money, clothing and bag
age had been absorbed by the ex-
enses of my illness. The Consul dis
egarded my circumstances. He had no
lnds to pay my board A vessel bound
II France was in port and | was sent
II board. From the passengers heard
" own story in detail, except that no
lspicion Of foreigner had been awak-
ned. That was something for the fu-
ire.
81 had indeed nothing at thi, mo-
lent to remain for; but reserved pur-
Dse to return at some future time when
] should have been forgotten, and carry
I tc sac en- cuj,' pieH dc dj0mants
made the passage to Hnvrc. Soon
ter my return to France T decided that !
lere would be little danger of blighting ;
Ie future of little Desire LIE Blanc bv l
arriving millionaire, and so she has
zen for several years Mime Desire LIE
DIX, with several little boys and girls
ady to inherit my wealth when |
Iould get it. n
" Perhaps the same reason that in II
iced the tall Indian to perform a des- c
rate service has induced the Govern b
ent to employ me as law officer, II
mere there are sometimes desperate p
en to he arrested. SO here | am. Il
4" And your Indian? Did you never Of
ar Of him? W
" Never from that day or night. III
Monsieur said our patron. do oil
m think Won coul1 find ooo;p vour 81