Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-12-24

He was only glad; and already. so great
was his longing for wealth. he began to
envy his bonefactor. who dismissed him
with wave of his hands that made the
diamonds flash again.
Those three diamonds would make
me rich." he said TO himself.
1t was n queer kind Of luck that Coal
Oil Billy had taken TO his bosom. had
he but known il.
Il know nothing Of the work in Wall
street; of all its respectable gambling;
OF the way men are ruined and made
rich there. can only tell you that
Coal Oil Billy became II sort Of king in
that region, and that he was followed
by train Of Spectators, and made, In
his own person. u sort OF trap or bait
for Others. That, ignorant Of the work
he was at, his great wealth had mys-
tcrious power That shares in a GER
tain mine rose and fell at the sound of
his name. That, without actually hold
ing money in his hand. he threw mill
ions about broadcast Ask Wall street
what it means. / do pot know.
The Secretary had his little ventures.
and made thousand dollars and
banked it; but was not happy. In
a safe of the room Of his master was a
strong box full OF gold. On his fingers,
ON his breast. shone fortune in dis.
monds. The thief's soul longcd for
booty. Honest service, honest labor
pleased him not.
Often when Coal Oil Billy slept,
snoring wonderfully, the thin face OF
John smith bent over his bed. II he
had bu, slept so soundly that the dia.
mond could be- taken from the thick
fingers, and the great throat where
they remained all night, they would
have been slipped on. But u touch
walked the man. and a pistol lay under
his pillow, and he was not intemper.
ate in his drink. though he was fond OF
both wine and brandy.
AZ last. one night, Mr.. Baker came
in in strange mood. He was silent;
he drank moro than usual. He slept,
heavily. 4 touch did not arouse him.
The Secretary felt that something
queer had happened. and the thief saw
his opportunity.
Sleeping in an adjacen, room he
came and went at will AZ his first
Journey he transferred the slccper's
pistol to his belt. Assured that he was
safe. he touched the diamond nj his
employers throat. and it fell into his
hand. He drew the ring from the left
little finger without arOusing hi' vie.
tim. He drew the other oti-not -
skilliully
Coal Oil Billy started to his feet. and
sent crashing blow into the thiefs
face. and grappled with him at the
same moment; but the man was ready.
He drew his pistol and fired. The
firm hold relaxed with groan. Baker
fell heavily across the bed. and John
Smith fed.
In his own room he washed thc,blood
from his face, stitched the diamonds
into his coat, and quietly left the hotel;
So. --.-as....... ..u'ars =. "".'Ih
tina, black cloth lapel, II the estimate
that had been made Of the diamonds
wa correct lie was rich. No thought
Of the kindness of his patron troubled
his conscience. Indeed, he had none
to trouble. The thief by nature is the
lowest order of man. A gorilla has
more feeling, more senSibility.
To sell the diamonds and go to Eu-
rope was hi, dream-so easily realized.
as il seemed To him. with q change Of
costume and false mustache.
He lay in hiding for u few days, un.
Ill his bruised face was well. in n
tramps' lodging.house, and then re-
assuming his good clothes, he made
his way 70 diamond merchant. On
the card he sent in he had written u
foreign name. which he had picked at
random from the list of arrivals on a
recent steamer from Europe. He left
the merchant TO believe that he had
Jewels that had escaped the duties OF
Custom House. and exhibited one of
his diamonds.
lit is very splendid and expensive
GEM" he declared, las YOU will see at
q glance"
The Jewish diamond merchant shot
him keen glance from the black eyes
under his white eyebrows, and carried
the diamond to the light
lie returned with it in a moment
and placed Il at his elbow.
"Bah," he said. ''you take me for a
fool? That is an imitation, not the
best either"
"You have changed the stone" ex-
claimed the thief. II have Others like
it. can prove ii! can prove 1t! You
have changed the stone, or you wish to
cheat me-"
At the sound Of his voice two younger
men ran into the room.
The thief holding the two other
diamonds in his hand, repeated his cry.
The youngest of the two men spoke
impressiyely;
Here. we are well known. You
know IL. Show me those other
diamonds"
He bent over them without touching
them.
"You have been basely deceived.
sir" he said. "for see you speak in
good faith. These stones are worth
nothing. They are mere paste"
The wretched young man could not
believe him. He went down stairs.
leaving the diamond dealers whisper
ing together, and in the street below
heard n paper boy crying;