The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-08

!
some tn ing
that think will interestyou, seeing you
are a newspaper man. What do you
think of this?" and Mr.. Wordsworth, of
the firm of Wardsw orth & Blank, man
ufacturing jewellers of Boston, placed a
paper in the hand OF the young jour
nalist.
"Ah he! a goodly find for some one, N
replied the reporter as he read:
"e5, 000 REWARD,
For the apprehension of the criminals,
or the recovery of the diamonds taken
from the safe of Jaspar, Sturgis &c JAS
par, London, on or about December L.
1t is thought that the gems have been
Struggled to America, as no attempts
have been made to dispose of them
either in Great Britain or upon the con-
tinent 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 $4,000
"Signed, JASPER STURGIs &c JASPER,
! London. +"
at would be like looking for a nee
die in the hay-mow, 1 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 a quantity of diamonds
! even though they succeed in getting
them into the country. Nevertheless,
it 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 plumber on the
market within six months or year
they will 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"
We'll, / 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 q smile.
who knows but what it may come
your way?" returned the jeweler,
laughingly. You board most of the
incoming vessels, and l should think
might stand a 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"
mot so much of a chance as you
might imagine, my friend" replied
Damon. True, / have to report the
arrival of vessels, and Of course visit
many of them, but if there was any
smuggling detected, 1T would only be
my duty 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 package. neatly
wrapped in paper, yet 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 affirms that it is.
Now l want you to come to my apart
ments tonight and take a 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 quiet game of whist"
Very well, I will look for you at
eight o'clock, sharp. Good-by," and
with little ceremony the hustling jour
nalist turned on bis 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 a table in
Dsmon's room, enjoying themselves
hugely as 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 I
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 it il hand. /
However, we all have tastes, and, in /
this free country, are at liberty 20 ex- /
press our opinions. So, Mr. Wards (
worth. yours, first" and the reporter .
essayed to fiji the glass of his friend.
Although Nj Damon had carefully .
the cork. yet to his surprise /
only feeble st-cam Of liquid issued .
forth. /
All" he remarked, something has
fouled UP the neck Of the bottle. Never
mind. wen soon tx il" and taking 4
long lead pencil from the breast pocket
Of his vest, be wiped it and thrust il
into the aperture. With q gurgle the
wine dubbed forth, then a hard sub
stance struck the bottom Of the goblet.
why. If the villains who put up this
have net left broken glass IN
the bottle, " exclaimed Damon, with IL
concealed disgust
They must want 70 murder their
Gust omers"
Ste piping 20 his bachelor cupboard
he reporter took therefrom a silver
,poo1, with which he hshed out the for
,ign substance and dropped il upon th.
able, exclaining-
There's the thing which might have
been the cause Of some ones untimely
death, and the subject OF good article
for the morning journals"
4 cry OF surprise escaped from tbs
lips OF the ieweler guests as each ST.