The Irish standard., 1886-07-24
THE MAN WITH MALACHITE
STUDS.
A True Story.

al am going to tell you story Of real
life," said a friend to me in the club the
other night-a friend who has lived in
many countries, and seen very much of
the world
"Many years ago i was living in fr1r-
ished apartment in Paris. One day my
servant brought me the card Of Nh. Chas.
DumOnt. The name was unknown to me,
but told him to show the gentleman in.
A tall and very good looking fellow enter
ed He was extremely well-dressed, and 1
noticed particularly that he wore three
very handsome malachite studs, and
sleeve-buttons of the same material. He
addressed me in a frank and hearty man
ner
"'Yon do not know me- Mr.. - he
said, but we ought to be well acuuaint-
ed for am a nephew Of your old friend,
Colonel Charles Merritt, of New Orleans
and have heard hirn speak so often and
SO warmly about you, that / cannot re-
gard you as stranger"
II was extremely prepossessed by the
young fellows appearance, and delighted
to meet countryman OF good connections
and with time on his hands,
sWe soon became very intimate, and
were much together for some weeks
thenceforwart3. Dumont was a very ac-
complished and agreeable man, ard I
found him most excellent company.
Zone day, returning from ~ journey
received Il call from Il sergent Gle willie. /
but soon learned.
"sPardon, Monsieul,' said he, 4 am
sorry to trouble you, bat do you know one
NJ. Charles DumonJ "
ss.Yes, very well said +.
":May ask il you knew him well in
America p
81 was about io answer that dia. when
I suddenly recollected that did not ieuow
him well in America. So said, 8, knew
his family and friends there very we'll
t.I regret 10 inform you, Monsieur said
the officer, that he is in custody, and that
mis- extradition for the crime of forgery il,
demanded by the United States. VIII
you go with me and see him q
cot course assented, and in short
time, and after elaborate formalities, was
taken to Il cell in the prison OF St. Pelagie,
where found my new acquaintance ap-
IArently in excellent health and spirits
and jauntily wearing his maiachte studs.
"I am sorry to see you here said I.
How can such a shocking mistake have
heeu rnede?'
'''lt Was no mistake at ALL said he,
standing erect, and with perfect coolness;
Il am guiity!'
",sGood heaven. What do you mean %
cried.
i will tell you,' said he y have de-
ceired you. My name is not Dumont at
all. 1t is Ashley. | am the son Of an
English gentleman, and lived in Wiscon-
sin until a place was offered me in COM
mission house in New Orleans. ldy work
was hard and my salary small; bus I
always dreamed of the day when would
be rich and assume my rightful position
in society. In this direction was desper-
ate}y ambitious. One Cay tine devil
tempted me- Twas sent to the bank with
check for fourteen dollars The hamor
seized me to alter it, Us joke. to one for
fourteen thousand. / did this in the
presence of the cashier. Iassure you had
not the slightest idea that the teller
would notice the alteration, and take the.
thing as l meant it. To my infinite sur
prise he handed me the Sl4, OoO. When the
money Was in my hand, it suddenly occurred
to me that MY opportunity had come A.
steamer WAS to sail for Havana in an hour
and on that steamer took my passage.
having just time to reach the wharf, with
out luggage. From Cuba [ went to
Spain, then came to Paris. have been
here some time have stayed TOO long,
and suppose some one has thus recognized
me. No matter, have enjoyed myself to
the full, and now must pay the piper.
have only one favor to ask of you. am
a gentleman. Do not let me be ironed.
give my word not to jump overheard or
try to escape in any way. And, by the way,
of the $14 1000 which brought here have
Just 81, ,OCO left You will find it hidden
behind the pier glass in my apartment,
where it escaped the vigilance OF the
police. 1t will just about suffice to pay
the bills of which hand you a list. and /
beg you to attend to this matter for me.
.'There was little for me to say, pro-
mised to do what he wanted, and I bade
him goodby. In few days he was. duly
extradited.
s'Three years later was seated in my
house in ST. Louis when gentleman was
announced; and, to my surprise, i'll walked
MIR, Ashley, alias Dumont. neat as a new
pin. and wearing the malachite studs. I
looked ut him III speechless establishment
":I thought you were in the peniten-
tiary2' said 1.
%, no!' said he, Il was only in Jail,
and have never been tried. The cashier
of the bank died suddenly, and there was
no one to prosecute. The jailor and [ be-
came great friends. He was Il know
nothing and tremendous PARTISAN and
much interested in that movement. I
wrote articles for him, and was useful to
him in many ways One day he said to
me, the door Of the jail is open. Why
do you not walk out:' did SO, and here
I am. have no money, and want to earn
an honest livelihood Will you help ME
to do SOP
sDumont,' said /, you can not posi-
bly, stay here, with a crime hanging over
you. There is just one thing for you to
do. will buy you some clothes and pay
your railroad fare to New York. will
write you letter to man there who will
at once forward you to General Walker in
Nicaragua, and will give you an intro
duction to my friend Hemingsen, who
is with him Throw yourself heart and
soul into the service, and you ought TO be
an officer in three months. If they sue
ceed you will be patriot and hero
He grasped my hand and thanked me
warmly. kept my word, and thought |
had done the best possible thing for him.
..About six months later, while was
still in st. Louis, the card Of a well known
lawyer, in official position, was brought to
me. This gentleman showed some en-
barassment in addressing me. Finally he