The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-11-21
A Smart Trick.

Bullion, my friend, whose laugh, as
he spoke, was not as jolly as usual, is
known to be one of the largest and
most reliable dealers in jewelry and
precious stones in prominent city.
"Was I ever bit?" he said. eyes
I have been bit, and in the worst way,
too. As I have acknowledged this
much to you, may as we'll tell Of the
most complete swindle Of which l was
ever made the victim.
One day in August all my clerks
but one were away on vacation, and |
was "tending' shop. Business was
dull, and I thought, as gazed out
upon the almost deserted streets, but
for all the profit there was in keeping
open, we might as we'll shut up and
be off.
My attention was aroused from this
reverie by the opening OF the shop
door. I looked up as there entered
the perfect type of the gentlemen:
His clothing was of the best material
and in thorough good taste. He was
tall, with snow.white necktie, and
gold-rimmcd spectacles across his nose.
lie might have been bank manager,
a member of congress, a clergyman.
He certainly looked respectable enough
to be either.
IT have been recommended to you,
sir-Mr. Bullion, I believe? ~ bow
ed-"by Messrs. Blank, Blankety &
Blank. [ understand you have the
best collection or assortment OF dia-
monds in the CITY,"
"I believe that no house in the
country carries larger or more varied
stock" replied.
"Well, my daughter is here with me
from the West, and has met the gen.
tleman to whom she has been engaged
| for several years. He has been
through the war and gained the high
promotion he merits, but his leave of
absence will not give him time to visit
our far off home, and I have yielded
to the young people that the wedding
take place here.
"Lacking time to make preparation
| for more rational gifts, must do the
best I can, and deck her out with the
Jewels that all women love so we'll.
At all events diamonds are good in
vestment. Let US see what you
have"
I displayed my entire stock; tray
after tray of glittering gems l pro-
| duced, and though he handled them
and held them up in different lights,
there was not one sign of those sus-
picious movements which we dealers
have learned to know 80 we'll and watch
so closely.
At last he made his selections-a
pair of earrings $500, broach $125, a
bracelet $500, solitaire ring 5000, and
lace pin for the only bridesmaid, 500.
All these were set with the finest first
water diamonds; 81, ,225 rather a
good hours work for hot August
morning.
While it was being done, that gen
tleman was busy counting over the
contents of large pocket book, and
when I handed him the small but val
liable package and the bill (the bill,
from force of habit, being presented a
little in advance) he passed me over
check and some bank notes. There
was 81, ,225 in all. -.
Replacing the large wallet in his
breast pocket, he produced small
purse, and proceeded to pay the bal
ance. After searching in every pocket,
he found himself S. short.
While he fumbled and fused, and
while partly occupied myself with
trying to look as though was paying
no attention to him, I noticed rather
roughly dressed, thickset man, 'pass
and repass the door. Then he came
up and Aattened his nose against the
plate-glass window. His next move
was to place his body inside the door
and close it. Then, with a sigh Of
relief and disgustingly familiar wink
toward me, he said, under his breath,
ssIn time, after all?" and then step
ped up to my customer, whose back
had been turned to him, and smacked
him on the shoulder.
"Hey, Dick, at your old tricks yet,
are your" [,
| The gentleman turned around and
seemed to be turned speechless. AS
for me, I was redhot with rage.
"What do you mean I demanded,
"by coming into this place and insult
ing my customers? Who are you,
sir?"
ssCustomer, eh? Been buying, has
he? He's a nice customer he is; and
as to whom I am and what l mean,
there's my card, that'll soon tell you
all you want to know"
IT don't want your card, sir. This
gentleman has bought my goods and
paid for them-paid for~them, sirP'
and I glanced at the card, and saw
"deteetive" thereon, but still | was
not ready to believe. ~ don't care
if you are a dozen detectives, you
can t insult gentleman in my shop.
I'll call policeman. ;,
"Call three or four if you want to-,
said the rough intruder; "but, Dick, "
and now he addressed the gentleman,
twill you go quietly with me, or will
you not?"
Judge my amazement to hear my
elegant customer exclaim: you've
got me dead to rights; wot's the use
O. chinnin' p and then the mask fell,
and I could see what a sleek-looking
deep william he was.
"You see, sir, said the rough man
to me, in a tone Of apology, "this is
Diamond Dick, the downiest cuss in
the business. I know his lay, and
saw him come in here, and / think
you'll say it's mighty lucky 1 did.
What he paid you may look all right,