The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-12-14

vi t,I d Wen hllONu SEOft Jug CIluIdClei
named Haberstam. a man who drove
at that time the fastest horse on the
Shell Road
All, how are You, Mr. Habersha m -
said one OF the party.
so, So said the newcomer; ''just
been dunned. though for few hun
dred I cau't pay, and I feel small. of
course"
Cant pay said another. "Why,
Habc1Sham, we thought you owned y
national bank"
Poor as pie-crust,' he replied.
why, there's a diamond on your
finger worth Il pot of money Why
don't you sell it?'' said one Of the
party.
That's an heirloom. I don't want
to part with It," he answered, display
ing the jewel
Don't complain, then, Of being poor
so long as you wear that sort of Il
thug" said the first speaker.>
What is the diamond worth?' ask
ed GIRLS.
Its worth $500. Hang me if I
do" think l will sell :: 49, off
What will you. take for it?' asked
Gus.
We'll, eight hnudred'
That's too much
Well. say seven"
NO"
Give me six hundred: it would
bring more at a jewelers.; but one is
ASHAMED to offer it there
4 don't care for IT, said Gus.
Look here, Mr.. Hurd," said Haber-
sham in Il sort Of a confidential tone.
Il am awfuly hard up, worse than I
dare say. You may have the diamond
II YOU will pay me $500 cash at once,
but it's like throwing $500 into the
gutter"
Gus thought Il moment, the other
turning the ring SO that it sparkled
brilliantly in the broad light An
eight hundred diamond ring for five!
Well he thought it was a bargain.
and so he said:
'"e1l step'into my room up stairs,
and we Will See,'' the two GisaDDear-
ing together.
Soon after llaberSham came out and
walked away with 4 sly look upon his
face. and was soon followed by Gus,
who made his appearance wearing the
new purchase upon his little finger,
which hn took care TO display in Il
most conspicuous manner. Little at
tention had been paid to the transac-
ton until it WAS Ill over, but now
one or two Of the party examined the
ring with considerable care, and it
was declared to be imitation. no real
stone at all. Possibly, what is called
California pebble.
Gus, with his too frequent want of
common sense. had been taken in and
all hands laughed at him heartily
Habershan was IL man hard to find
when you wanted him. and when
found. entirely Irresponsible Gus
Green looked Il little blank about the
matter. but continued TO wear the
ring and said nothing. The fact was
the verlant fellow WAS about five
hundred "out."
Evening came ut last and We all
met once more in the billarl room,
where Gus joined us. He was ut home
then. and could give any of the party
heavy odds and beat them nine times
out Of ton. by and by there came Il
pause III In" game. and the fellows be-
gan to chaff him about his diamond,
which he had still upon his hand and
conspicnolsly displayed Ill the while
Gus, What will YOU take for it?'
asked one
"Eis;lt hundred" Was the quiet an
sWer
Eight ti''dleSickS!" was the re-
spouse.
III give you Il big apple for it, said
another.
'l'onk here. fellows, you are vast
ing your breath. This is II real dia-
mond-no humbug about it,
You are vordAnt, GUS said one.
1T may not be OF the first water,
but III bet it's a real diamond" said
Gus. holding it up and looking ut it,
III bet you fifty dollars it's not a
diamonh.' said Frank Barnwel} who
stood by. and who had seen Gus buy
We'll, I'll so fifty" said Gus, put
ting the money on the table
I'll go the same" said another.
Every good" said Gus, covering the
second fifty.
Here's fifty more" said another Of
the party.
recovered" said Gus.
Hold on, tsuS,''. said one of his
friends, YOU have got enough upon
that ring"
For the last, yes" said Gus. hest
tating little
There was u pool Of four hundred
dollars up. which WIS duly placed in
the hands Of Il stakeholder. and it was
agreed, first. that the winner or win
aers should stand champagne, and
tllitG lllt lutSllOu as 10 Wuetl9r the
stone was Il diamond or not, should be
settled by reference to the proprietor
of the nearest jewelry store on the
street.
SO the party I'LL filed out together to
the well known Alhambra iewelrv e.
adjustment, near by. The head of the
house was In, and Gus went I'D to him.
and. taking off the ring, said:
We have little bet about this
ring. Mr.. Jewell, and have agreed to
leave it TO you to decide"
Very good, sir" said the shopkeep-
or as he adjusted his glass in one eve,
and held the ring so that the gas-light
fell clear upon it.
rs that true dialnonu?"
"Its very fine diamond" said the
man. carefully examining the stone on
ali sides.
said
Now, Mr.. Isaacs, here's your dia-
mond, and twenty dollars for the use