The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-04-04
DlAnOsD. TliIf.yE,.
A story Of the via West au, tho Arr.

"DsoFJ VI INC via west and tho A1rl.
i,3 can DiIgings. lN.a.,
Virginia tStr) Enttpri,.. .s.g5l g.s."
A few days ago Mrs. Nora Mcshanc, who
resides on the Divide, near Hickey street,
received letter and q newspaper from her
husband, who Is in tho diamond fields Of
South Africa. When nearing home Mrs,
Mcshane-Who is not able to read writing
concluded to go on to the residence Of n
friend who generally reads for her tho let.
ten that come from her husband. While
Standing and debating In her mind tho
question oil going on ut once 10 have her
friend read the letter, Mrs. McShaue al
most mechanically opbned the Newspaper
10 have glance at 1t, she being able TO
spell out print. AB she opened the paper
she thought che observed, rs abe saws
some bits O dthirt or grayels" fall out Of
It, though she paid but little attention.
thinking at the time It was scms "schtufI
that had worked into the paper on ina
road::" When her friend Rad the letter 1t
was found that her misunderstanding to
luck" as no sald-had send in the news.
paper as specimens no less than fifteen
diamonds in the rough, ranging in value
from $50 to Sl20 each. -
Here was q go, as hot stone remained
In the paper. However, she remembered
that when she opened the paper she was in
wnlk-where tho snow was oil the ground
Just opposite the residence Of a neighbor,
and accompanied by her friend abe return.
cd to tho place. Not diamond was tv be-
found, but Mrs. MtShane'a friend had OBJ.
served a lot OF chickenu about the SPOT, and
was confident they had found and sgal.
lowed the gli!tering little stones. In q
short time quite crowd of men and
women had collected about the apot-hay.
Ing been told about the loss-nnd, as the
place was regular cruising ground for the
chickens in search OF gravel while the
ground was covered with snow in most
places, it was the general opinion that the
fowls had swallowed tho gems. .,.-l ia.
The chickens belonged to tho neiphbor
in front Of whoss place the newspaper had
been opened, and this neighbor could not
be expected to sacrifice his whole flock
numbering thirty fowls-ior nothing. As
no one could tell which particular chicken
might have diamond in it's crop, and
which not, it would DO necessary 10 sacri-
flee the whole lot. The owner disliked to
lose his chickens, but finally said he would
let them 90, under the circumstances, at
70 cents each, cash down. Mrs. McShane
had no money, and knew not what to do.
However, there was no time 10 lose, and a
miner OF sporting" turn, who happened
10 be present, agreed to pay for all the
chickens provided Mrs. McSaane would
give him any stone he might pick out from
among those recovered. Mrs. McShane &C.
copied the offer, with the proyiso that she
was to have all the chickens that were
killed. ..g 80
The fowls were enticed into their house
and the heads cut of the whole lot, The
contents Of their crops being carefully
washed and examined, twelve Of tho gems
we're found: Generally they were worth
from $50 to $50, but there were three worth
slG0 over. One oil these, stone worth
$ll0, Tell to the share OF the speculative
miner. Mrs. McShane was helped out on
her side by dressing aud selling the chick.
ems ct from rs cents to ST each. -sl7.l.'..-'
A curious part Of the story remains to be
told, however. BatwEen the uncut tlia.
monds found in the claws OF the fowls,
there was taken from one a handsome
emerald that was perfectly cut. Mrs. Nc.
Shane, Of course, thought this stone had
also been sent by her husband, though it
was not mentioned in his letter. While
this matter was being discussed, lady liy.
ing in the vicinity came up and at once
claimed the emerald. She said she lost it
ont Of her ring tho day before. No one
knew what to say to this, as those present
did not wish to dispute the point. Seeing
how matten stood the lady ran of home,
and presently returned with her ring, into
the setting OF which the emerald fitted per-
fectly. On seeing this all agreed that the
Stone was tho property Of the lady. & y.