The Yellowstone journal., 1894-12-15
861aERiM45 8MEiM5
A PARTISAN DIAMOND TRICK,
The Swindler Substituted An Initiation Toi
Gem Before the jewelers. Eyes.


Gem Before the jewelers. Eyes.
One of the foreign travellers of a IA
nous jewelry house in this city has just
returned from his annual trip abroa I,
and upon reading of "a aclever shoplifter
trick executed here told of bold AID
clever diamond robbery in Paris that
borders on high art
The swindie was perpetrated in a dia-
mond shop OH the Rue de la Paix, one
of the busiest centers of the trade in
Paris. \ stranger came in and tod the
proprietor that he had found stone
among his family effects which had
been there great many years, and the
value of which he was anxious to know.
He said he didn't suppose it could be
worth very much, as otherwise it would
not be found among his family posses
sions. The jeweler took the diamond
out of the soiled paper in which the
stranger brought it, and examining it
closely with a strong glass seemed sur
prised. Hesitating moment, he stepped
into his private office to show it to an
other expert. Returning, he said;
"Why, sir, that is not only good
very valuable.
The stranger laughed incredulously,
remarking lightly: Nonsense; it may
be fine imitation, but certainly not a
real diamond, for how would it get into
the possession of my family, who Were
always poor? And how could it lie
among our effects undisturbed for so
many years.
The ieweler assured him that it GER
tainly was a diamond and a gem of the
first water and added chat if the owner
would leave it for day or two he would
show the stone TO other jewellers and get
their opinion. The owner agreed TO this
and two days later called again. Tho
diamond merchant promptly repeated
his assertion as to the purity of the
stone and added that it was worth at
least IS OO0 francs.
well, the owner replied, Il can't
believe you yet, for | am certain il must
be an imitation, no matter how good it
looks, but | want TO sell it, and, if you
are willing to buy il, how much will
you pay for it and take your chances on
the stone:'
We'll, under the circumstances | will
give 1000 francs for the stone, " the
merchant replied.
"And when can | get the money or
your check for it?"
"You may call in a day or two -
The jeweler was not a novice in bust
ness Moreover, he was Partisan OF
the purest type, and in matters of bust
ness was as shrewd as any of his brother
merchants in that busy city. He took
no chances, and, to make doubly sure
uf his bargain, he pnt the stranger of
again, and in the interval not only re-
moved all possible doubt as to the gen
uineness of the stone, but also found at
least two very willing purchasers at a
handsome advance over what he had Of
fered. Therefore when the stranger paid
his final visit the jeweler had the stone
in his safe and with it a check all fill
ed out As the jeweler turned to hand
the check over TO the stranger the lat
ter said, with half sigh:
We'll, if must part with it, let me
have one last look at it. :"
The check still lay on the counter as
the stranger picked up the paper con-
tanning the gem and slowly opened its
folds Then, after long look with a
heavy sigh, he folded the paper again
and handed it back to the jeweler.
As the jeweler started to make ont a
receipt for the money the stranger said:
''Now, it is not very clear in my mind
that this can be genuine stone, and as
l am very peculiar about some things
please make your receipt read, Received
for one imitation stone II, 600 francs,
for l can never believe that our family
ever possessed anything else "
THAT is strange popularity Of
yours, the jeweler replied, but |
don't know that it makes much differ
ence.
The receipt was made out as the stran-
ger desired, who signed it, and the jew
eler deposited the paper containing the
stone with the receipt once more in the
drawer of his safe
The following day friend called, the
recent purchase was spoken of, and the
paper containing the stone was brought
out. As the jeweler took out the stone
his face grew pale.
mon Dieur' he cried. MY money,
my money!
The closer he now examined the stone
the more evident it grew that the stone
was really an imitation after all, and as
he sank down in his chair and read the
wording of his receipt and then recalled
all the circumstances and how the stran-
ger took one last long look at the treas
ure it became clear to him that in that
moment he was robbed and an imitation
substituted for the good stone before
his very eyes-New York Sun.