The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-02-09

think Of thi>?" and MIR. Wordsworth, OF
the firm of Wardsw orth & Blank, man.
ufacturing jewelers. of Boston, placed
paper in the hand of the young jour
nalist.
"Ah ha, a goodly find for some one, "
replied the reporter as he read;
80, 600 REWARD,
For the pprehension of the criminals
or the recovery Of the diamonds taken
from the safe of Jaspar, Sturgis & JAS
par, London, on or about December l.
1t is thought that the gems have been
smugglcd to America, as no attempts
have been made to dispose OF them
either in Great Britain = upon the con
tiuent Dealers and officers of the law
are cautioned to be on the alert. The
Jewels stolen are of the first water,
large stones. and the whole amount
valued at $50, coo.
Signed, JASPER, STURGIs 4 JASPER
London.
ut would be like looking for nee
die in the aay-mow, | should say
commented Damon, as he finished the
perusal of the notification.
Very much,' replied MIR. Wards
worth. as he folded the paper and re
placed it in his pocket. Yet it would
be difficult matter for anyone to dis
pose of such quantity of diamonds
even though they succeed in getting
them into the country. Nevertheless,
ii behooves us in the business to keep
a sharp lookout and inquire closely
where a stone comes from that is
brought us to mount. If the rogues
attempt to place their plundcr on the
market within six months or year
they viii stand very good chance Of
being apprehended, but if they can at
ford to wait and have nerve enough to
retain the diamonds in their possession
until the excitement has died away the
thieves may be enabled to get rid of
the gems in small lots without causing
suspicion"
"Well, hope it may be your good
fortune to run across some of the
sparklers, for / would like to see you
capture the reward" replied the re-
porter, with smile.
who knows but what it may come
your wav?'' returned the jeweler.
laughingly. You board most of the
incoming vessels, and l should think
might stand pretty fair chance to
hear of any smuggling game, and by
working up your information be able
to claim some of The Englishmen's five
thousand pounds"
Not so much of chance as you
might imagine, my friend, replied
I Il TO q
arrival of vessels, and of course visit
many of them, but if there was any
smuggling detected, 1t would only be
my dnty to write the story for the pa
per and | could not expect to receive
any credit from the authorities for the
apprehension of the guilty parties.
But it was not to talk shop with you
that brought me in. Do You see this?'
and Damon held up a package, neatly
wrapped in paper, vet not so disguised
but what anyone could see that it was
a Quart bottle. That Is some rare.
old Burgundy. At least the steward of
a British steamer affrms that it is.
Now ! want YOU to come to my apart
ments tonight ana take hand at a
game of whist, and you will have an
opportunity to sample the wine. What
say you:'
Il would be only too pleased to make
one Of the party, not wholly on account
of the contents of the bottle. for you
know I am somewhat abstemious, but
TO enjoy a quiet game of whist"
Very well, will look for YOU al
eight O'clock, sharp. Goo6-bv." and
with little ceremony the hustling jour
nalist turned on his heel and left his
friends place of business to complete
the arduous laborS of the day.
At the hour of eight two reporters
and two jewelers.. all old acquaint.
ances. were seated about table in
Damon's room, enjoying themselves
hugely rs they laughed and chatted
over the topics of the day.
AT length the host arose and said:
Now, boys, supposing we try the
quality of the stewards present
don't suppose that any of us are
connoisseurS of wines, although we
might be able to know what would
make a good newspaper story when
we ran against it. or tell the quality of
a piece of gold when taking il in hand.
However. we all have tastes, and, in
this free country, are at liberty 10 ex-
press oar opinions. So. Mr. Wards
worth. yours. first" and the reporter
eSsayed to fiji the glass OF ms friend
Although Mr.. Damon had carefully
removed the cork vet to his surprise
only a feeble stream Of LIQUID issued
forth.
All" he remarked, something has
fouled ND the neck Of the bottle. Never
mind. Wen soon fiN it. and taking d
long lead pencil from the breast pocket
of his vest. he wiped it and thrust it
into the aperture. With a curgle the
wine dubbed forth, then a hard sub
stance struck the bottom of the goblet.
why, If the villains who put up this
Burgundy have not left broken glass in
the bottle. " exclaimed Damon. with ill.,
concealed disgust
They must want TO murder their
u>%omers
topping to his bachelor cupboard
the reporter took therefrom a silver
spoon. with which ne fshed ont the for
eign substance and dropped it upon the
table, eNclaimiug:
THERE'S the thing which might hare