The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-24

birth I" and the man called Colonel Arm
strong leaned back in his office chair and took
ND some papers that Uttered the desk.
1t was the middle of the afternoon and the
ecene was the office OF Armstrong & Tyson, who
were the manipuatorS of as cool q swlndllng
scheme as ever was Matched in the brain OF
man. 1t was the "Great Brazilian Diamond
Company" the main branch office of which
was on Broadway, and to which the dapes OF
the scheme came and dropped their money to
see it vanish in the Golfers of the projectors.
while they-the dupes-went home to wait for
the dividends that never materlalZed.
Some finding themselves swindled, never
paid word, but kept the secret to themselves,
and only now and then did "fool" come on
TO investigate, to get nothing for his pains but
the garish smiles of the willy Armstrong, who
always waited on such people and sent them
off with renewed hopes.
On this particular afternoon the person who
inquired of Col. Armstrong after the man who
had just left the Office looked over his specta-
Giles and was silent moment.
Mai. johnson had been an old army officer
and had had q good deal of experience with
call sorts and conditions of men," He had
overheard portion of the conversation be-
tween Armstrong and the dupe, and could not
help having q lower opinion of the swindler.
Don't they get nothing at all, Colonelf" he
asked
"They get their epes opened, and that's
What aren't there any diamonds in the
districtP"
"We haven't found them yet"
"But you have made lots of money; you are
buying real estate right here in New York,
while you sell mythical land in South
America"
"And we sell it at dandy figures, too."
laughed Col. Armstrong.
Its a wonder some of your FOOLS as you call
them, don't turn on you," said johnson. l
believe | would if were one of them"
well, they never think of that. They get
mad, of course, and for time the air in this
Office has suphurous hue, but in the end the
skies clear and we have an enlarged bank ac-
count. See1"
at won't last"
ooh, yes, it will. Somehow or other none
Of these fellows think of giving US trouble.
Last week a man was found floating in the
harbor, and 20 shares of Great Brazilian
were in his pockets. He took the easiest road
out of the world, and the shares fell back to
the company"
This hesrtlessness was more than the tender
hearted johnson could stand. For moment
longer he looked at Armstrong, and even won
dered if this was the playmate of his boyhood,
and if it could be that he had developed into
such villain.
Gone in and take few shares some day.
I'll let you in on the ground floor, Major"
laughed Armstrong as johnson walked out.
III see you later" and with this the we'll
rounded figure of the ex-officer vanished.
johnson looked for the fool" but that in
dividusl had disappeared. He wanted to talk
TO him, for his face looked familiar, and he had
recalled to his recollection face which he had
seen in the heat of battle and in the front
ranks Of the old brigade" But look as he
might, the man Was not to be seen, and after
awhile johnson went back to his boarding
house.
strong again. He had taken such an aversion
TO the man that he could not trust himself to
ueek his Office, for he feared he would see an
Otker man who had dropped his money into
the Golfers of the swindlers and perhaps he
would be another old soldier.
One day an urgent letter, bearing in flaming
device the heading of the Great Brazilian
Diamond Company" was laid on his desk. 1t
was from Armstrong and begged him to come
down that day. johnson concluded to go, and
in little while he was in the car riding down
TO the Offices.
The moment ne opened the door he was
struck by the change in Armstrong; face. IL
was haggard and white; the lips twitched
nervouslv, and under the eyes were dark
circles. which alarmed the Major.
Il sent for you because you did not show
yourself" said Armstrong. Il want to tell
you something In the first place, let me tell
you that the Great Brazilian has made a real
hit and contrary to all expectation. There are
diamonds there-real ones and they seem to
be scattered all over the district in profusion.
Look here"
He unlocked the steel safe in one corner of
the room and carefully took out buckskin
bag which he tilted on the table.
johnson leaned forward and looked with
wonder in his eyes. lot Of stones that fairly
iszzled him lay on the table and he saw how
agerly Armstrong regarded them as he ratified
n.
eve never dreamed of such find rs this
is like picking up fortune in the dust.
They're all genuine. Every one has been ex-
mined by the best lapidaries in New York.
Why, we can overstock the diamond market
md do Just we please"
How did il come aboutfn
"A man wandering over the district struck
.he spot and ssnt us sample. Then i went
aown and was met by him. he satisfied me
that everything was oil right, that diamonds
fairly swarm there, and that the district is
rich with them. We have been buying up
EhEres ever since. Tyson is cut now picking
them up for whatever be can buy them at.
We don't higgle with the FOOLS but take them
mt their own value. See? Why We are will
ing 70 give an advance for 800 per cent for the
shares which six months ago we were selling
Of our own figures. Nothing like it. johnson.
I've worked myself down, as witness my face"
al see you're looking bad, Colonel"
"And Pm feeling the same way but never
mind that. j can't sleep till we've picked up
the last share. and then we propose to develop
the district, which We bought for song when
we organized the Great Brizilian.' Don't YOU
want few sharesf III still let you in on the
ground floor"
johnson said be didn't care to make any
more investments Just then; that he was a
little short of ready funds, but he wished the
company well, aud congratulated Armstrong
on his prospects. Armstrong; eyes had an
unnatural look, and johnson wondered if his
family had noticed il
I'VE viii have all the shares In about q
week" continued Armstrong. "Then I'll 20
30 the doctor and pick up again, or HE away to
aome seaside watering place and get back
weight and color. Amt they sparklers John
son? Let me, old fellow" aud the Colonel
picked up one Of the gems aud insisted on pre-
senting it TO johnson.
Something advised the ex-MsIor to take it,
which he did, and he placed il in his pocket
book, after which he babe Armstrong good day
and went out.
i know lapidary whom I'll bet nv head
Armstrong didn't consult when it came to
testing the stones, T" ne muttered. "pll turn
down here and look him up" and looking at
his watch, he plunged into narrow street and
vanished.
Ten minutes walk brought him TO q tall
house. the stairs of which he climbed to the
fourth story, where he knocked ct o door,
which WAS at once opened.
middle-aged man with pair of very deep
Hla 4 <.-k- Ill