New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-08-11
THE NAN WITH MALACHITE STUDS.
A True Story.

He was extremely well dressed, and I
noticed particularly that he wore three very
handsome malachite studs, and sleeve but
tons OF the same material He addressed me
in frank and hearty manner.
You do not know me, Mr. he said,
but we ought to be well acquainted, for 1
am nephew of your old friend Col Charles
Merritt of New Orleans, and 1 have heard
him speak SO often and so warmly about
you that cannot regard you as stranger"
Il was extremely prepossessed by the
young fellows appearance, and delighted to
meet countryman Of good connections and
with time on his hands
we soon became very intimate, and were
much together for some weeks thencefor-
ward. Dumont was very accomplished and
agreeable man, and found him most excel
lent company.
sOne day, returning from journey, re-
celved call from sergc,tt de vile I had
no idea what he could want with me, but
soon learned
Pardon, monsieur said he, I am sorry
70 trouble you, but do you know one N.
Charles Dumont?'
Yes very WELL said
May ask If you knew him well In Amer
icas'
u was ab>ut to answer that did, when I
suddenly recollected that did not know him
we'll in America So l said, 1 knew his fam
ily and friends there, very WELL
I regret TO inform you, monsieur said
the officer, that he Ii in custody, and that
his extraditjon for the crime OF forgery is
demanded by the United States. Will you go
with me. and see hm?'
SOf course assented, and in a short time,
and after elaborate formalities, I was taken
to cell in the prison of ST. Pelagie. where I
found my new acquaintance, apparently in
excellent health and spirits, and jauntily
wearing his lnalachite studs
am sorry to see you here said L
How can such shocking mistake have been
made!'
1t was no mistake at all said he. stand
Ing erect, and with perfect GOODNESS; I am
guilty.
s'Good heavens! What do you mean?' I
cried.
81 will tell you said be. I have deceived
you Ny name is not Dumont at ALL 1t is
Ashley. am the son of an English gentle
man, and lived in Wisconsin until = place
was offered me as clerk in 4 commission
house in New Orleans My work was hard
and my salary small; but always dreamed
OF the day when would be rich, and assume
direction was desperately ambitious. One
day the devil tempted me. was sent to
the bank with check for $l4 The humor
seized me- to alter it, as Joke, to one for
fourteen Thousand. I did this in the pres
ence of the cashier. I assure you had
not the slightest idea but that the teller
would notice the alteration, and take the
thing as I meant it. To my in
finite surprise, he handed me $l4, 900. When
the money was in my hand, it suddenly oc-
Cured to me that my opportunity had come.
A steamer was to sail for Havana in an
age, having just time to reach the wharf,
without luggage From Cuba l went to
Spain, then came to Paris Ihave been here
some time. have stayed too long, and sup
pose some one has recognized me- No mat
ter; have enjoyed myself TO the full, and
now Unjust pay the piper. have only one
favor to ask of you. l am a gentleman. Do
not let me be ironed. I give my word not
to Jump overheard or try to escape in any
way. And, by the way, of the $l4 900 which
brought here have just ST 900 left. You
will find it hidden behind the pier glass in
OF the police. 1t will just about suffice to pay
the bills OF which hand you list and
beg OF you to attend to this matter for me-
There was little for me to say. l prom
ised to do what he wanted, and I babe him
goodbye. In a few days he was duly ex-
tradited.
sThree years later was seated in my
house in St Louis when gentleman'was
announced; and, to my surprise, in walked
Mr.: Ashley, alias Dumont, neat as new pin
and wearing the malachite studs. 1 looked
at him in speechless astonishment!
1 thought you were in the penitentiary,
said L
oh, no! said he, I was only in Jail, and
I have never been tried The cashier Of the
bank died suddenly, and there was no one
to prosecute. The jailor and I became
great friends He was Know Nothing and
tremendous partisan, and much interested
In that movement wrote articles for him,
and was useful to him in many ways One
day he said to me: The door of this iail ia
open. Why do you not walk out?' did so,
and here am. I have no money, and want
TO earn an honest livelihood. Will you help
me to do SOP
3'Dumon5,' said I, you. cannot possibly
stay here. with crime hanging over you
There is just one thing for you to do will
| fare to New York. I will write you letter
to man there who will at once forward you
to Gen Walker in Nicaragua, and will give
You an Introduction to my friend Hemines-
sen, who ds with HIM. Throw Yourself heart
h IN as sou INTO me e service ana you ought 70
coed you will be patriot and hero He
grasped my hand and thanked me warmly.
l kept my word, and thought I had done
the best possible thing for him
! About six months later, whom was still
IN st Louis, the card of q we'll known law
yer, in official position, was brought to me.
This gentleman showed some embarrassment
in addressing me Finally he told me that :
friend OF mine had become intimate in his
! family, and that he would like to know
! something from me about him I should
mention that this gentleman was the brothe,
OF two Young ladies who afterward attained
much oelebrity in The literary and dramatia
world asked him the name Of the persn,
70 whom he referred, and hs said it was ~
con. Of that nAma
~Ayov must know MIN, .aa6 \. .u