Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-01-30
The Great Diamond Robbery.


who are not temporarily under a cloud
OF some kind at some stage in their
career. Mr.. George Moore was under
a cloud.
When one is actively engaged in
business in which ones whole heart,
soul and energy is wrapt up, for one
in such case to be under cloud is
not at all derogatory to his character
The best Of men have been financial
ly embarrassed. Mr.. George Moore's
business was burglary, and his whole
heart, soul and energy was in it. He
was financially embarrassed. because
he had just left Sing Sing after serv
ing a two years sentence. He was
under cloud, for the same reason,
for his friends in business looked up
on him with contempt and gave him
the cold shoulder for getting caught.
AT last, in his extremity, he wrote
to an old boy friend Of his, one James
Fremont by name, and jeweler by
trade He did not mention the rea-
son for his present financial embar-
rassment, but stated that he was hard
up and asked for loan on the score
Of old friendship. The letter was sent
at a venture, Mr. Moore scarcely hop
ing to receive a reply. Imagine his
surprise then upon receiving not only
a money order for S5, but also re-
quest for an interview.
1t was granted, for above all things
Mr.. Moore was not distant with his
friends, neither was he proud or
naughty. He met his former school
mate at a hotel, and in a private room
they had bottle and two glasses be-
tween them. Almost at the start the
conversation took an aIarmingly per
sonal turn.
Il have heard from you now and
then" the rich jeweler was saying,
soon after the first glass had been
drunk. "You were in the Sequard af-
fair
That was two years ago and over,
Mr.. Moore replied unsasily.
Have you reformed p asked Mr..
Fremont, looking at him sharply.
Mr.. Moore was about to say he had,
when something in his old school
mates face decided him that honesty
was the best policy, and he nobly re-
piled:
mo, sir"
Then l think | can give you a job
in your line"
Mr.. Moore stared.
But you must swear never to men
ton nv name in connection with it
Il swear" replied the still aston
ished burglar.
You know my store on --- ave
nue.? For certain private reasons,
which it is not necessary to mention
| wish you to pay a professional visit
to that store"
what =.
The Job must be done well, and |
would as soon give it to you as any
one. always did have liking for
you"
What what"
What for? you were about to ask.
Well, between old friends do not
mind saying, l am going into bank
ruptcy."
Il see."
Besides, half the diamonds do not
belong to me-"
Better still. I'll help you out.
Here's my hand on it.
Can you take the stones out and
melt the jewelry at once p
"The same night"
"All right"
And in half an hour it was made all
right by the jeweler giving the rob-
Der carefully drawn plan Of his
store and allowing him to make an
impression in wax of the safe keys.
Thursday night, mind" said Mr..
Fremont in closing. Il will see TO it
that only one person is in the place at
that time. and he shall be drunk, dead
drunk
Friday afternoon the dailies an
nounced the greatest diamond rob-
berry OF the year i'll great, bold, plea
type. Detectives were sent out and
each one found clew, but no one
found the burglar. A week later Mr.
Fremont went gracefully into bank
ruptcy and retired TO village some
distance from New York in which his
wife owned q house. He discontinued
his subscription TO the church and the
Y.M. C. A., but both institutions
passed resolutions of contidencein his
integrity and regrets for his loss.
And Mr.. Moore.
Visions of future comfort fitted be-
fore his eyes, waking and sleeping.
He confided his success in none OF his
fellow ci aftsmen, who so recently had
been loath TO recognize him. But he
ostentatiously let slip hints of rich
haul that he bad just made, and re-
tired to gloat over his treasures
Thanks to Mr.. Fremont's care, he had
been able to select his booty with dis
elimination. None Of the bulky sill
yer plates had been touched. But a