The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-05-27
THE MALACHITE STUDS.

Giu SOluk w VeA yoo q oooAJ "
Mfe,n said 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 fur
nished apartment in Paris. One day my
servant brought me the card OF MI
Charles Dumont. The name was not
known to me, but T told him to show the
gentleman in. A tall and very good-look-
ing fellow entered. He was extremely
wen-dressed, and noticed particularly
that he wore three very handsome malar
chite studs, and sleeve-buttons OF the same
material He addressed me in frank
and hearty manner
asYou do not know me, Mr.. - he
said, but we ought to be well acquainted,
for am nephew Of your old friend CoI;
Charles Merritt, of New Orleans, ana !
have heard him speak Of you so often ana
so warmly about you, that l can not re-
gard you as stranger
II was extremely prepossessed by tne
young fellows appearance, and delighted
to meet countryman of good connexions
and with time on his hands. :,
awe soon became very intimate, and
were much together for some weeks
thenceforward. Dumont was very &C.
compished and agreeable man.. ana l
found him most excellent company.
zone day, returning from a journey re-
ceived call from sergent de vile. had
no idea what he could want with me, but
l soon learned. .....-. ....... IL.
ssPardon, monsieur said he, I am
sorry to trouble you, but do you know one
NJ. Charles Dumontf'
ayes, very WELL said I
"'May T ask if you knew him well IN
America"
II was about to answer that did, when
suddenly recollected that did not know
him well in America. So I said, 1 knew
his family and friends there, very we'll
"'I regret to inform you, monsieur said
the officer, that he is in custody, and that
his extradition for the crime Of forgery IS
is demanded by the United States. WIZ
you 20 with me and see himf'
"Of course I assented, and In Short
time, and after elaborate formalltles, l
was taken to cell in the prison OF st.
Pelagie, where found my new acqualnt-
ance apparently in excellent health and
spirits, and jauntily wearing his malachite
stude.
aIam sorry to see you here, said l,
How can such shocking mistake have
been nader
3It was no mistake at ALL said he,
standing erect, and with perfect coolness;
Il am guilty!
atGood heaven. What do you mean'' I
cried.
"T will tell you,' said he. 7 have de-
ceived you. MY name is not Durnont at
all. It is Ashley. I am the son OF an
English gentleman, and lived in Wisconsin
until place was offered me as clerk in
commission house in New Orleans. Ny
work was hard and my salary small;
but I always dreamed Of the day
when I would be rich and assume
my rightf1ll position in society.
In this direction was desperately ambi-
tious. One day the devil tempted me. l
was sent to the bank with check for S14.
The humor seized me to alter it, as a
Joke, to one for $4,000. did this In the
presence Of the cashier. I assure you l
had not the slightest idea but that the
teller would notice the alteration, and
take the thing as meanti it. To my 1ntln-
ite surprise he handed me the $4,000.
When the money was in my hand, 1t sud-
denly occurred to me that my opportunity
had come. A steamer was to sail for da-
vana in an hour, and on that steamer l
took my passage, having just time to reach
the wharf, without luggage. From Cuba
I 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, I have enjoyed
myself to the full, and now I must
pay the piper. have only
one favor to ask Of you. am
a gentleman. Do not let me be ironed, l
give my word not to jump overheard or
try to escape in any way. And, by the
way, of the $4,000 which I brought here
have Just $1,000 left. You will find it
hidden behind the pier glass in my apart
ment, where it escaped the vigilance of
the police. 1t will just about suffice to
pay the bills of which hand you list,
and beg you to attend to this matter for
me.
"There was little for me to say. !
promised to do what he wanted, and
bade him good-by. In a few days he was
duly extradited.
"Three years later was seated in my
house in St. Louis when a gentleman was
announced; and, to my surprise, in walked
Mr.. Ashley, alias Dumont, neat as new
pin and wearing the malachite studs. l
looked at him in speechless astonishmentl
aT thought you were in the psniteniary?'
said L
"'Oh, nol said he, Il was only in Jail, and
I have never been tried The cashier of
the bank died suddenly, and there was no
ore to prosecute. The jailor and became
great friends. He was know-nothing
and tremendous partisan, and much in
terested 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 Jail is open. Why do you not
walk out?' did so, and here am. have
no money and want to earn an honest
livelihood. viii you help me to do sof'
a'Dumont,' said I, you can not possibly
stay here, with crime hanging over you.
There is just one thing for y3u to do.
will buy you some sclothes, and pay your
railroad fare to New York. l will write
you u letter to man there who will at