The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-03-20
THAT FATAL DIAMOND.
lChamber's Journal.

Usedly, knowing that hundreds are a,
 his moment bewailing their fate, which in many cases may seem harder than
 mine; but it is not, if they still retain the
 self-respect which l have lost. That's
 what to,tures me my prestige is gone; l
 am degraded in my own eyes; ] despise
 myself as heartily as the most viruous
 man in the world could. That to whom
 half the thieves in London have looked
 for guidance, should myself have laid a
 ulot for myself and walked into it To
 fall victim to too powerful ombina-
 uon of adverse circumstances is no dis.
 grace; to be outwitted by the superior
 6uesse of the D ,lice is hard but endura-
 ble; 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!
 It was that diamond ring that did it. l
 really think some special ill luck must
 have attached to the trinket for it brought
 no good to its previous possessor. l. was
 hardly in the regular way of business that
 i. came into my hands just as it has es-
 caped from them in a most unbusiness-
 like fashion. atyoupP man must have
 been in great siraights before he united
 himself to me in the business of stealing
 bis uncle's cash h-box, ia order to obtain
 funds to pay his gambling debis. It was
 g very easy matter for me. He was to mix few drops of an opiate gave him with his relatives brandy and water one evening, and leave the hall door open l had only to walk in and take up the booty he had collected and placed ready for me. It was very fair collection of plate that awaited me as we'll as the GOV eted cash-box but am fond of jewelry, and the house was so beautifully asleep
 that could not resist creeping up to the masters bedroom to see if there was noi in it a trifie 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 should not have disturbed their owner, even If my young friend had ne', by way ofmak- ing sure, doubled tho prescribed dose of the opiate, and thereby plunged his un- ele into, not sleep, but death. Poor young fellow! the knowledge that he killed relation who had always treated him with kindness, if also with severity, was too much for his mind, which doubt less was never strong. Those debts oi honor were never paid he never came to claim his share of that nights spoil; and have heard that the distant cousin who falling him, inherited the old mans prop erty, grunbiss greatly at having to pay for his being kept in lunatic asylum.
 This is cowardice on my part have condemned myself, as the fitting punish msnt of my folly, to set down in black and white the way in which entrapped my self, and l am posiponing the task to maunder over an irrelevant incident.
 The ring had not been long in my pos session when paid the unlucky visit to Paris which began my misfortunes. The London police were very active ust then, and business was iD consequence dull and risky, so, being in funds, thought ] might take a holiday and enjoy a fort night in the city of pleasure. I 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 fort night would be mere innocent pleas ure.seeker, taking the days amusemen,s as they came, and making no effort afer either my own gain or others loss Such was my intention butt what intention, especially if it be good one, can with stand the force of the habits ot lifetime [ Mine gave way, and speedily.
 One evening-a pleasant April even ing-I formed one of the crowd that sur rounded the platform at an open-air con- cert. By my side was standing a stou, and elderly man, whom, from score of tiny indications, l guessed to be British holiday maker. " There's from fifteen to twenty pounds in his coat-Pockets 'll be bound," thought l. He is far too cautious to leave his money a, his hotel where Frenchmen, whom he regards as all thieves, may lay hands on It, so he carries it about with him, thinking that on his person it cannot fail to be safe The idea of undeceiving him in tois par ticular was too tempting found myself smiling in anticipation at the bewildered and horror-struck expression his face would wear when he discovered his loss. It was the humor of the thing that touched me. That fatal gift of humor, which has ruined so 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 instincts of the professional pickpocket. Almost unconsciously inserted my left hand i've are all ambidexter ia our profession) in his pocket, and gently dre~ out a pocket book-the very sort of pocket book knew he would carry. edged away from my victim as soon as the lfttIe operation was over, and disent4 4ng ing myself from the interested auditors who were listening to gayly dressed oamsel with the remains of once pos erful voice, l soon found myself walk ing along the brightly lighted boulevard. 1 had not gone far before noticed that the diamond ring which constantly wore on the third finger of my lett hand was missing. It was little too large for me {; but had not thought it advisable to have the size altered just yet; and the result was that 1t had slipped from my finger. knew that wore it when left my hotel but could not recollect notic- ing its presence at any subse quent time :; .~ | .~rt tn av~~v xlara had vasfeAA