The morning call., 1892-09-08
HARRIET'S DIAMONDS.

Harriet Lanes diamonds had been the
pride of her soul for over forty years.
They had been given her by her husband to
commemorate the birth of their first child.
When misfortune came to them-when the
plantation had TO be mortgaged-her hus-
band had refused to listen 10 her falterlng
suggestion
''S'pose we sell the diamonds?'
mot if | know it. Not bit Of it" be
had answered stoutly. They shall be
little nest egg for you"
That had been forty-fve years ago. The
mortgage had been lifted, five sturdy sons
brought to manhood and one smart daugh-
ter to the age Of II. Then the good hus-
band was called to higher life and Harriet
cherished her diamonds more than ever Tor
lis sake.
The one sweet daughter was making up
her mind to get married. Money was not
any too plentiful about the place that year,
and Harriet had some difficulty in getting
tbe necessary articles together for her dear
Minnie's tTOusseau. Miss Minnie's affianced
was a prominent business man OF Baton
Rouge, and her mother was determined she
should not have to blush because Of her
things. So without consulting any one
about the matter the dear soul decided to
sell her diamonds.
mind" When, one morning, she an
nOunced TO her family that she was going
10 the city to get Min some things" she
caused a decided sensation.
I've got money enough to pay my way
and shall stay with Mary" she said.
Mary was a schoOlmate Of hers who had
given her a standing Invitation to visit her
in New Orleans.
This going 10 New Orleans was really a
wonderful event in Harriet Lanes life.
She had never been there but Once-On her
wedding trip. When the steamboat came
putting up TO the landing Harriet's heart
almost failed her. But she clutched her
black bag and drew one breath which lasted
until she had crossed the Stageplank.
That night she did not sleep; she feared
she would be robbed. The next afternoon
she reached the city, and her friend came
down to the boat TO meet her. In the course
Of the evening she cOnhded the object of her
trip 10 her dear Mary. She displayed the
dlamOndS-the earrings set in clusters OF
twelve stones; the breaStpin, cr0sS-shaped,
having twice that number and the bracelets,
each a slender golden serpent with diamond
eyes. She grew eloQuent-her face became
y0unger-the little st0op in her shoulders
almost disappeared.
THE first time l wore them," she said. in
the dreamy way OLD women have when they
tell OF what happened when they were
Young "was at Abe'S christening. and how
them on at sister LOUIS wedding The
people looked at them more than at the
bridep'
She sighed as she added:
"If pa was alive | wouldn't be selling
them now. But Min needs more things
than the place can afford to give her."
Then Harriet questioned eagerly the price
Of goods, etc. What would a good silk dress
cost? Min must Rave one.
What dc yOu think l should ask for nv
diamQnds@ she said, after every thing else
had been dismissed. PA gave $500 for
them"
You won't get as much" quickly an
swered her friend.
She had looked at the stones carefully.
5000
That night the mother saw Minnie in her
dreams wearing a blue silk dress. The
next day was spent in sightseeing New |
Orleans had changed so in fifty years.
The second day Mary took ber guest TO |
the stores. and she had good look at |
things, hndiBg cut their prices etc. Just |
as they were about to take the cars. Mary |
suggested that her dear Harriet should stop |
at Grlswold's and see what valuation he !
would nut OF the diamonds; Of course Har- |
ret had them with her.
The polite salesman called the proprietor |
Jf the store. He examined them carefully. |
Where did you buy these?" be asked, at |
length.
''Pa-that is, my husband-got them in
Baton Rouge, ana be paid $500 for Them" |
replied Harriet Lane. proudly.
Then he was Outrageously swindled. " /
said MT. GIiswold.
For moment Harriet thought be was |
oklng. Then she grew wrathful, and |
taking her jewels from him, she rushed out |
Of the store.
1hat man must be crazy, or he is a
Thief" she said to Mary
w e Will try The other stores," answered |
her friend. soothngly.
But alas! everybody was of Mr.. Girls
wold's opinion.
Let us 20 home," said Mary.
Poor Harrlets face was so pinched and |
gray looking
Later Mary advised her to sell the set for
oid gold. but Harriet only shook her head, |
Ihe day following she went home Mary |
INSISTED on paying her passage and sending
Minnie tie blue silk dress aud several other |
Things the diamonds were to have paid for |
Harriet put her diamonds back into their |
case. She never told her children their Sc |
cIet. often she would look at them. They |
gisiened as brightly as ever. Perhaps she |
noped that they were real, after all.
Hnen she was dying, years later, Minnie |
heard her mutter:
ell Min to keep the diamonds. Tell her
she must never sell them"
And Min never will