The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-10-08
Where Did the Diamonds Come From


A gentleman residing in large city
near the coast recently, while East, pur-
chased large solitaire diamond stud.
When he returned to his Texas home
his friends were loud In their praises OF
his solitaire, asserting that II was un-
doubleday the cleanest and most perfect
gem they had ever beheld. Even the
colored porter in the hotel Office was
seen to gaze at the beautiful stone with
a hungry look, and had also been seen
to prowl around the Railways after
dark. The owner Of the diamond at
last being satisfied that there were par
ties who, II he gave them the least
chance, would attempt to rob him OF the
stud, finally concluded to try an expert
ment. Accordingly he called on the
leading jeweler and instructed him to
manufacture twelve studs exactly like
the real one, only to use imitation dia-
monds, and In place OF ISL gold to use
highly polished brass for settings. The
studs being finished, our friend depos-
tied the valuable stud for safe keeping,
and placed one OF the limitations In his
being late, he leisurely proceeded to his
room. The gentleman's room being on
the ground floor, the room was supplied
with inside shutters THAT had already
! creaked many times since his valuable
purchase). Pretending to be very tired,
| the gent pulled off his clothes and turned
the light so low that the room was
almost in darkness. Then, without
closing the shutters, he proceeded to
hang the shirt on the window, leaving
the glistening stud on the bosom,
upon which the faint rays OF gaslight
dazzled and flashed as the summer winds
waited the material from side to side.
Then he lay down where he could see
the movements OF the shirt. lie did not
wait long before its actions became very
lively, In fact IL finally jumped clear
through the window but was gone only
few moments when IL came flying
back again on to the floor. Our friend
at once picked 1t up and placed another
five-karat.. glass diamond stud upon the
somewhat soiled bosom. lie found the
button hole considerably elongated, no
doubt caused by the hurried manner in
which the former stud had been removed.
About midnight our friend fell asleep,
having placed twelve studs In that shirt
front, tile last of the number not being
hard to get In but were difficult to keep
in, as the button hole had extended from
the collar to the end Of the bosom, with
n prospect Of going on to San Francisco
or New York to purchase fall and win
ter goods. The following morning the
gentleman proceeded to the jeweler, and
having adjusted the real gem on an i'm
maculate shirt, started out to await de-
velopments. AS he entered the hotel he
was surprised to notice that the proprie-
| tor. the bell boy and the porter were
each wearing flve-karat studs, and as
the cook passed the window there glist-
ened on his dirty blue shirt n diamond
of the same size. Our friend thinking
the thing rather bold, applied to the city
detective for assistance and had given
him about half the necessary informa-
| ton when, ms the detective threw open
his coat I'VE thunders, could his eyes de-
ceive HIM, there sparkled n 5-karat dia-
mond. Thinking there must be some
mistake, the gentleman at once pro-
| ceeded to the Mayors office. lie was
told the Mayor had gone to open the
Police court. Being by this time much
excited, he rushed In to the court breath
less and excited. The sight instantly
left his eyes and he CROPPED around for
chair as he had been nearly blined by
the combined flash from the remainder
| of the 5-karat studs. The court itself
Ind one on the bosom of Justice and
many Of the honorable attorneys were
posing so that the jewels might show to
the best advantage. Our friend now
concluded to drop the matter as his only
real loss consisted in getting that but
ton-hole repaired. Whenever the gent
stops at San Antonio he goes to see En-
erson, next to the court house, and they
have a hearty laugh over the IL diamond
studs. The gent Is now stopping for a
few days in this city, and has left the
fine diamond Mt Emerson's, where Ii Is
for sale at bargain. Price. 500.