Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-27

In well-known restaurant in this
city presides very dazzling bartender
over the bibible portion of the estab-
lishment. Recently there appeared
among his regular patrons a very
quiet-looking. gentlemanly ) appearing
man, who wore, however, a magniG-
cent solitaire brilliant on one finger. IL
was apparently stone Of rare size and
purity. Day after day did this blind
the bartender's envious eyes. and final
Iy, when an mountaineering between
the two had arisen, he said one day:
"fine stone that you wear" "Oh. it's
nothing but paste" said the stranger
with a laugh. There's no paste
about that, said the bartender incrcd-
ulously That's what it is, said the
stranger, carelessly. Il took it for a
debt of s75. The setting, you see is
rather fine" but the whole thing is not
worth 500" The bartender looked
at the stone again and again. The
light OF his bosom looked yellow be-
side it. That night he dreamed about
1t. Next day, when the stranger APP
peared at his customary time, he said
to him, rather nervously: Have You
sufficient confidence in me to loan me
that ring for day. | would like to
show it to friend of mine who ad-
mires such things "Certainly,"
said the other and he removed the
ring from his finger. The bartender
took the stone to a jcweler. The ver-
dict was: .'One Of the finest diamonds
l have seen. 1t is worth $1,000. and
will pay that sum for it," But"
said the troubled Ganymede, "the own
er says it is paste" and he then told
the entire story. Either the owner or
the man he got it from is a fool. The
and if you can buy it for less will give
you that much for it..
Next day the man of spirits return
ed the ring to its owner, saying care
lessly: 81 would like to have that"
Its not for sale" was the brief reply.
After few drinks the bartender said
to his newiy-made friend: "Sce here,
l want that ring, and l will give you
$500 for it, Nonsense" was the
reply. ut is not worth that. | tell
you positively it is nothing but paste.
Besides. | don't care to part with it."
The proposal to purchase and the re-
fusal to sell were continued IN this way
until the bartender had offered 5000,
when the other said: You tempt me
too much. But | fail to understand
why you should be willing to pay such
large sum Tor Il paste stone. Here it
Is. Give me the money. But remem-
ber the stone is paste"
"Ihat's all right said the delight
ed alcoholic cUncocter "rm simply
stuck on it-that's all. He hurried to
the jewelcr with his prize. Here is
the ring" he said; give me 1000"
The man looked at it. and simply said:
"Wh this is nothing but paste" OF
course the scheme was at once laid
bare. The rings had been exchanged.
The chagrlned bartender almost wep..
lie never expected to see the stranger
again. but he had been dealing with
no ordinary confidence man. To his
surprise he walked in again the next
morning as quiet-looking as usual. but
his finger bare of ornament.
.'See here" said the bartender, ex-
citedly, THAT stone was paste"
"Ihat's what told you," was the
quiet response. Give me a brandy
sour"
"Ill have the law on you for this"
bleated the angry lamb who had been
tleeced. But | don't think he will, for
| don't think he can. He tried to get
the best of man who, he thought.
was not acquainted with the value OF
his possession. and he simply over
reached himself. But he'll never do
so again. lhtsade ptia NetGS.