The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-05-01
THAT FATAL DIAMOND.
The Wall OF a Careless and I'm
fortunate Burglar.

am the most unhappy man that
ever occupied prison cell. l say this
advisedly, knowing that hundreds are
at this moment bewailing their fate,
which in many cases may seem harder
than mine; but it is not if they still re-
tain the self-respect which | have lost.
That's what fortunes me; my prestige is
gone; am degraded in my own eyes;
despise myself as heartily as the most
virtuous man in the world could. That
l, to whom half the thieves in the city
have looked for guidance, should my
self have laid plot for myself and
walked into II! 1t is too humiliating!
To fall victim to too powerful COM
bination of adverse circumstances is no
disgrace; to be outwitted by the supe-
rior finesse of the police is hard, but en-
durable; but to fall into a snare which
should not have misled boy who had
never stolen so much as handkerchief
in his life-this, this is shame
1t was that diamond ring that did
it. really think some special ill-luck
must have attached to the trinket, for it
brought no good to its previous possess
or. 1t was hardly in the regular way of
business that it came into my hands
Just as it has escaped from them in a
most unbusiness-like fashion. That
young man must have been in great
straits before he united himself to me in
the business of stealing his uncles cash
box in order to obtain funds to pay his
gambling debts. 1t was very easy
matter for me. He was to mix few
drops of an opiate | gave him with his
relatives brandy and water one even
ing and leave the hall door OPEN | haC
only to walk in and take up the booty hi
had collected and placed ready for me
TWAS very fair collection of plate tina
awaited me as well as the coveted cash
box; but am fond of iewelry, and the
house was so beautifully asleep that
could not resist creeping up to the mas
ter's bedroom to see if there was not il
it trifle worth picking up. There wa
the diamond ring and a rather gooC
set of studs ! took them and slipped on
of the room so quietly that | should no
have disturbed their owner, even if m,
young friend had not, by way of max
ing sure, doubled the prescribed dose o
opiate, and thereby plunged his uncl
into, not sleep, but death. Poor youn!
fellow, the knowledge thathe had killet
arelative who had always treated hin
with kindness, if also with severity, wa
too much for his mind, which, doubtless
was never strong. Those debts of hon
or were never paid, ne never came t,
claim his share of that nights spoil
and have heard that the distant cousin
who, failing him, inherited the oil
mans property, grumbles greatly a
having TO pay for his being kept in
lunatic asylum.
This is cowardice on my part. hav
condemned myself, as the fitting pun
ishment of my folly, to set down i
black and white the way in which en-
trapped myself, and | am postponin
the task to maunder over an irrelevaT
incident.
The ring had not been long in m
possession when l paid the unluck
visit to Paris which began my misfol
tunes. The London police were yer
active Just then, and the business W,
in consequence dull and risky; so, bein
in funds, l thought l might take hol
day and enjoy fortnight in the city
pleasure. l was pretty well known
home, but I had not, so far as knew
a single enemy in France, and did n,
intend to make any. For fortnight
would be mere innocent pleasur
seeker taking the days amusements
they came, and making no effort aft
either my own gain or others los
Such was my intention; but, alas! VIII
intention, especially if it be a good on
can withstand the force of the habits
lifetime? Mine gave way, and spec
lily.
One evening, a pleasant April eve
inc, l formed one of the crowd tn
surrounded the platform at an open
concert. BY my side was standing
stout and elderly man, whom, from