The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-04-27
MY DIAMOND AND WHAT 1T
BROUGHT ME.

say that I bought it many years ago from
an old Jew, in the Iower part of Broad
way, who told me curious story con-
corning it. He said it was q talisman;
that four hundred years ago it Was owned
by Venetian family of ruined fortunes,
who bad long guarded it with jealous
care; it had passed from them in many
ways to brothers of his in the money
lending way, and should be mine if / paid
him his price for it.
In truth the stone had strange and
fiery CLEAN. At the first glance it seem
ed of the purest water in an instant it
changed to pink, blue, and pale green,
and then iridescent hues, emitting sparks
of fire.
I watched it curiously for nearly an
hour. talking irrelevantly the while on
other matters, and reluctantly coming to
the conclusion that if ever a precious
stone possessed uncanny properties, this
one certainly did. I thought myself
yielding to foolish superstition, or that
my eyes were tired with long gazing at
the gem, and to rest them I turned my
glance to other diamonds in the case, to
compare them with the talisman. The
Jew evidently OWNED my thought for he
took from his side pocket wallet, and
opened it, and from compartment bro't
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 wondrously beautiful,
but all were unlike the talisman.
''Why do you sell it9" I asked. "With
all this wealth you cannot need money,
and if what you tell me of its talismanic
be true, the gem is priceless. !"
81 wish to sell it if you have the cour-
age to buy" he said.
1t seemed 10 me that he purposly made
his tone dramatic, and l smiled scornfully.
AS for the stone itself, 1 liked it; the
story he told me of its virtue, although I
only half believed it, interested me. I
had no fear of any evil supernatural ir-
fuence; it was just the size wanted to
buy, and in shape and cutting it was all
that was to be desired.
The old Jew told me that when I was
about to embark in any enterprise that
would prove successful, the stone would
dazzle with unusual brilliancy. II mis-
fortune or death were to come upon me
or mine, the stone would appear dull and
almost neutral.
Now am practical sort of fellow, but
I had no objection to take the mystery
along with the stone, provided it was
thrown in as bargain, and had not to
pay extra for it. In few moments 1
made up my mind, and counted out to
him four hundred dollars, the price he
asked for it, and left.
/ wore the diamond for more than five
years; at first in ring, afterwards in a
shirt stud, and then again in ring. It
now encircles the finger of lovely lady,
whose little daughter calls me "Papa. :"
All this time there has been no tragedies
in our family, no dear friend has died.
My own health has been excellent, and /
am quite resigned to have it put down to
Imagination on my part that to me, my
stone is bright or dull, according to my
prospects ahead. Only this I affirm, that
twice, when to test it, went contrary to
It's warning, the punishment quickly fol
lowed the offence. Once I specuiated in
Pacific Mail, and lost heavily; and once
l asked sweet lady friend to be my wife
and she refused me-plump.
Superstitious or not, as you will, re-
gard my diamond as my talisman, my
mentor; and ever since nv unsuccessful
wooing have looked upon it with love
not unmixed with awe. One morning,
when riding down town in Madison
Avenue car, to my business, l looked up
from my paper, conscious of pair of
eyes fixed steadily on me. Opposite was
a lady of about twenty years, dressed III
soft, sombre gray; the only bit of color
to relieve it-except the bloom in her re-
fined face-was bit of red, low down
beneath the brim Of her gray felt hat.
Her eyes were light, lustrous brown; her
hair, much darker, and glossy. was
brushed back in waves from her low fore
head, upon which curl or two fell; not
the detestable ''bangs," which frankly
state l abhor, but short, graceful, fringe
like ringlets, that rested upon the white
brow as if they loved it. There was no
doubt about it: this rare and radiant
maiden was gazing at me. looked at
her in return, with face l tried to make
expressive of nothing, certainly not curl
osity. She glanced down again at her
book-"Daniel Deronda." returned to
my telegraphic dispatches in the Herald.
Again felt her gaze, and again looked
up and met her eyes. She evidently
wanted to speak to me, or else had some.
thing on her mind concerning me. Had
I ever seen her before? I asked myself.
No. She seemed too modestly sweet to
attract the attention of a stranger. Per.
ish the thought, said, inwardly. But
she was certainly looking at me again. ]
am not bad looking fellow, ard as meu
go, not bad sort; / have always been
popular with my lady friends, and 1 re.
turned her look this time with one of in
terest, and am afraid I smiled. In
stantly her face clouded; she bent owe,
her book, and bit her lip angrily. turn