Huntsville gazette., 1886-04-17
BETROTHAL RINGS.
The Superstitions in Circulation
Regarding Them.

The jewelers. patience was ebbing
rapidly. He did his very best to appear
urbane and suave, but his customers
seemed determined to tax his powers of
endurance to their utmost limit. The
lady had no idea what she wanted.
The gentleman was merely there in
the role of paymaster-whatever she
bought he would indorse with dollars
and cents. He had no ideas of his
own on the subject, and offered no ad-
vice.
"Whatever shall get?" said the fair
customer presently, IN accents of des-
pair. II declare if had thought that
it would be SO hard to choose an en-
gagement ring l would never have
been engaged.
The gentleman appeared vexed at
this display of feminine vexation; the
jeweler smiled and rose to the occa-
sion. Rays of amusement struggled
through the misty annoyances which
had been clouding his genial counte-
nance. II don't mind devoting half
an hour to an explanation of the signifi-
cance of rings" he said, presently.
''Of course, don't want to lose my
time, you know"
1T shall not be lost" interposed
John, hastily. II promise that / will
buy a ring from you in any case. So
kindly advise my wife that is to be
upon the selection of fitting one."
"With pleasure" said the jeweler,
rs he motioned his customers to seats.
''Of course you know" he began,
''that most Of the superstitions at
tached to rings and the wearing of
rings date from the fifteenth and six
teenth centuries, and are popularity
supposed to be completely extinct at
the present enlightened time. There
never was such a mistake. Ring SUI
perstitions are as rife to-day as they
ever have been, though no one would
dare to confess that he believed in
them. have scores of people come to
my shop armed with an array of facts
alleged facts, should say-concern-
ing precious stones which would fill an
octave book without difficulty. The
other day a lady and gentleman came
in. They were in the same pleasant
relations which-ahem!-I am pleased
to observe in my present customers. :"
''She was about to present him with
ring, which she insisted that he
should accept. He had declined sew
eral times upon the ground that it was
not customary for lady to present a
gentleman with ring. But she was
adamant, and he was forced to comply
with her request. 1t appears that he
lived very dissipated life, and that
she was quite aware of the fact. She
selected sapphire ring from the case l
showed to her. 1t was the only one
there, and she put it on his finger with
out any hesitation.
"'Wear that. she said, for my sake. ,
81 know what you mean.' he said,
coloring vividly and growing extremely
indignant. I know something about
the meaning of rings. and let me tell
you. Estella, that l do not appreciate
the generosity which prompts you to
offer me this
"'Wear it, she said hotly, 'or will
break the engagement. If you know
what it means, so much the better. If
you do not l shall never tell you-be
quite sure of that Accept that. 1 ask
it as the very greatest favor you can do
me-"
.sWhat did she mean?' asked the
lady customer, much interested.
Remember, l am only telling you
this for-for recreation" stammered
the jeweler, .'Don't imagine that
mean to insinuate anything. A sap
phire ring is supposed to possess very
great moral power. No man would
dare to wear one in any haunt Of dissi-
patton if he had any knowledge of the
subject. Should he be indiscreet
enough to do SO, his action will at once
become known to the one whom he
holds dearest. Now, you may suppose
that sensible people wouldn't believe
such story. But they do-hundreds
of them, / can assure you. The sap
phire is also supposed to signify piety
and godliness. In the olden times
clergymen were very partial to the
stone, and it was considered quite ap-
propriate for them to wear it in ring.
Every one knows that opals are con-
sidered exceedingly unlucky," con-
tinued the jewe1er. II don't
believe that superstition will ever
be overcome he said, emphatic
ally. ASK any jeweler in New York
City, and he will tell you that he sells
SO few opals that his stock rarely con-
tains but half dozen. l never sell
any. ] tell you frankly; and it is q
great pity. for in my opinion there is
no more beautiful stone. People say
that in time the taint will be forgotten,
and that opals will be as popular as
diamonds and pearls. don't believe
i. Strange to say. the belief IN the