San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-31
BUYING A DIAMOND.
A GLOBE TRoTTER'S EXPERIENCE
WITH A LOVE OF A RING.

de Knew the Real from the Paste Ar
ticIe, and His Ardor Was Only Famed
by the Warnings He Received-A Bunco
Game at Colombo and Its Cost.
1t was at Colombo that we met him. He
was the beau ideal of a rich young globe trot-
ter We used to see him in the deep verandas
of the Gale Face and Oriental hotels, sur
rounded by the best gem dealers, bargaining
and buying at-for them-an exhilarating
rate He had bought rubes, he had bought
sapphires, the best pearls and the finest cats
ewes to be obtained for love or money, and
still his money seemed abundant. He was
gentlemanly fellow, for all that, and did not
parade his wealth Intentionally. Stones had
a fascination for him.
THE FIRST ACT.
After dinner he proposed a game Of bill
iards or pool. In the only room in which
play was not going on was gentleman whom
we recognized as one of the Australian pas
sengers. There being three, he was asked to
join in one game, to which he consented.
Upon the first stroke he made / could not
help noticing two things-frst that he han
died his cue in quite an enviable manner, and
that he had upon the third finger of his left
hand the very finest diamond ring had ever
set eyes on. The stone seemed as large as
small nut, and the flashes of light it reflected
from the gas jets over the table were daz-
cling. The attention of our friend, it was
easy tosee was riveted upon this ring, which
his eyes followed round the table. The Aus
tralian passenger seemed a very pleasant man,
and soon we all became more friendly.
What lovely ring that is you are wear
ing. Would you allow me to see It'll" said
our young friend, presently.
"Oh, with pleasure; but | am ashamed to
tell you it is only PASTE" said its owner, slip
ping it off his finger and allowing us all to
look at it.
1t is needless to say whose fingers soon held
it, while his eyes seemed to reflect the brill
fancy of the stone.
Nonsense, man." said he, pleasantly, ~
know something about diamonds, and don't
know when I've seen such a perfect one."
"Ah, that stone has deceived even jewelers.
by artificial light. only wish it were a real
diamond, for it would be worth about six
hundred pounds"
1T is worth every penny of it." said the
other, enthusiastically. How did you come
by it, if it's not an impertinent question to
asks"
sit was left me by my aunt" said the
owner ''She knew it was only paste, al
though she always wore it, and was very
fond of the old lady, so wear it, too"
evil you let me see it in the morningr'
said our friend, handing the ring back with
lingering interest
Certainly. We will have a return match,
gentlemen, before tiffin if you are agreeable,
as must be off to the steamer now to bring
some more of my kit ashore"
We all said good night and parted, each
one of US thinking good deal about the
beautiful ring. After breakfast the next day
s. and drove over from the club to the
hotel, where we had promised to "tiffin'
with young "Golconda," as we called him.
He was there with a bevy Of native tam
bies" around him, displaying very inferior
gems, which he refused to look at.
SECOND AND LAST ACT.
The Australian passenger soon strolled up
and asked my companion If he was disposed
for return match at billiards These two
had seen each other before breakfast, anG
young ''Golconda" had backed his opinion Of
the diamond ring to the extent of offering
four thousand rupees for it. During the
game he renewed his offer, but the other said
he did not wish to sell the ring at all, and es
| pecially as a real diamond, knowing well that
| the stone was paste.
evil you lend me the ring them and allow
me to show it to native jeweler with whom
l have been dealingl If he recognizes the
stone as a diamond, too, l will repeat my
offer. and also will give yox an open check on