The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-11-30
A PARTISAN DIAMOND TRICK.
The SwindIer Substituted an Imitation For
a Gem Before the jewelers. Eyes.


a 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 abroad,
and upon reading of a clever shoplifter' s
trick executed here told of a bold and
clever diamond robbery IN Paris that
borders on high art
The swindle was perpetrated in dia-
mond shop on the Rue de Ia Paix, one
of the busiest centers of the trade in
Paris. A stranger came in and told the
proprietor that he had found q stone
among his family effects which had
been there a 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 strong glass seemed sur
prised. Hesitating moment, he stepped
into his private office to show 1t to an
other expert. Returning, he said:
''Why, sir, that is not only a good
stone, but a remarkably clear one and
very valuable. "
The stranger laughed incredulously,
remarking lightly: Nonsense; it may
be a 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 jeweler assured him that it Ger
tainly was a diamond and a gem of the
first water and added that 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. The
diamond merchant promptly repeated
his assertion as to the purity Of the
stone and added that it was worth at
least IS, 600 francs
well, = the owner replied, II can
believe you yet, for 1 am certain it must
be an imitation, no matter how good it
looks. but I want to sell it, and. if you
are willing to buy it, how much Will
you pay for it and take your chances on
the stones'
"Well, under the circumstances VIII
give II, 900 francs for the stone. 90 the
merchant replied.
land when can get the money or
your check for it:'
You may call in a day or two. -
The je1veler was not a novice in bust
ness. Moreover, he was a 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
of his bargain, he put the stranger off
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
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 check all fill
ed out. As the jeweler turned to hand
the check over to the stranger the lat
ter said, with half a sigh:
''Well, if I 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. ne folded the paper again
and handed it back to the jeweler.
AS the jeweler started to make out a
receipt for the money the stranger said:
Nov, it is not very clear in my mind
that this can be a genuine stone, and as
/ am very peculiar about some things
please make your receipt read, Received
for one imitation stone :, 600 francs,
for can never believe that our family
ever possessed anything else. .
That Is a strange popularity of
yours, p" the jeweler replied, ''but I
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 1t 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
New neck bands put on your shirts at
TOPEKA STEAM LAUNDRY.
Raafn~ Coal G,omnanv