The Osceola times., 1886-06-26
THAT FATAL DIAMOND.
The Wall OF q Careless and Un.
fortunate Burglar.

I am the most unhappy man that
ever occupied prison cell. 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 l have lost
That's what tortures 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
=. to whom half the thieves in the city
have looked for guidance, should my
self have laid plot for myself and
walked into it! 1t is too humiliating!
To fall victim to q too powerful COM
bnation 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 snare which
should not have misled boy who had
never stolen so much as a handkerchief
in his lfe-this, this Is q shame!
1t was that diamond ring that did
It. really think some special ill-luck
must have attached TO the trinket, for 1t
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 1t has escaped from them in
most unbusiness-like fashion. That
"A 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
4 gambling debts. 1t was q 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; had
only to walk in and take up the booty he
4 had collected and placed ready for me.
ltwas very fair collection Of plate that
awaited me as well as the coveted CASH
box; but am fond of jewelry, and the
house was so beautifully asleep that |
could not resist creeping up to the mas
v ter's bedroom to see II there was not in
it trife worth picking up. There was
the diamond ring and rather good
set Of studs. ! took them and slipped out
of the room so quietly that I should not
have disturbed their owner, even il my
young friend had not, by way Of maxi
ing sure, doubled the prescribed dose Of
opiatc, and thereby plunged his uncle
into, not sleep, but death. Poor young
fellow, the knowledge that he had killed
relative who had always treated him
with kindness, II also with severity, was
too much for his mind, which, doubtless.
was never strong. Those debts Of hon.
or were never paid, he never came to
claim his share OF that nights spoil,
and have heard that the distant cousin,
who, failing him, inherited the old
mans property, grumbles greatly at
having to pay for his being kept in
lunatic asylum.
This is cowardice on my part. / have
condemned myself, a. the fitting pun
ishWent of my folly, to set down In
black and white the way in which l en-
trapped myself. and l am postponing
the task TO maunder over an irrelevant
incident.
The ring had not been long in my
possession when ! paid the unlucky
visit to Paris which began my misfor-
tunes. The London police were very
active just then, and the business was
in consequence dull and risky; so, being
b in funds, ] thought | might take holt
day and enjoy fortnight In the city OF
pleasure. ! was pretty well known at
home, but had not, so far as knew,
single enemy in France, and did not
intend to make any For fortnight l
would be a mere innocent pleasure
seeker, taking the days amusements as
they came, and making no effort after
either my own gain or others loss.
Such was my intention; but, alas! what
intention, especially II 1t be a good one,
can withstand the force Of the habits Of
a lifetimeP Mine gave way. and speed
lily.
One evening, a pleasant April even
Ing, ] formed one Of the crowd that
surrounded the platform at an open air
concert BY my side was standing .
stout and elderly man, whom, from
score OF tiny indications, I guessed to be
British holiday maker.
There's from fiftccn to twenty
pounds in his coat pocket, I'll be
bound" thought !. ''He Is far too
cautious to leave his money at his hotel.
where Frcnchmen, whom he regards as
oil thieves, mayiay hands on L. 80 he
carries 1t about with him. thinking that
on his person 1t can not fail to be safe. "
The idea of undeceiving him in this
particular was too temptng; l found
myself smiling in anticipation Of the be-
wildered and horror-stricken expression
his face would wear whom he discovered
his loss. II was the humor Of the thing
that touched me. ~
That fatal gift of humor, which has
ruined 20 many honest men. led me to
my destruction. Deep in my soul, be-
meath the outer garb Of the man Of the
world was wearing. dwelt the in
etincts Of the professional pick pocket
Almost unconsciously inserted my left
hand 1--WE are all ambidexter in our pro-
fession) In bis pocket and gently drew
out . pookstbook-the very sort Of
pocketbook knew be would carry. ]
sdgsd sway from my victim - seon -
NE ht<)e opsrstion was over. and disen-
tangiang myssH froo ths Interested
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