The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-16

was already laid for tea. The pawn
broger, motioning his visitor to dingy
leather armchair, went to cupboai u
and produced a bottle of rum, three
parts full, and a couple of glasses.
Tea for me-" said the seaman, ey-
ing the bottle wistfully.
The pawnbroker prickled up his ears.
Nonsense" he said, with an attempt
at heartiness, "a jolly fellow like you
don't want tea. Have some o this
Tea, blast you!" said the other. hit
ting the table with is fist. when
say tea. l mean tea"
The pawnbroker repressSng his
choler, replaced the bottle, and seating
himself at the table, reached over for
the kettle. and made the tea. 1t was
really a pleasing picture of domestic
life, but the pawnbroker grew restless.
He was intent upon business but the
other, so far as his inroads on the tea
pot and the eatables gave any indica-
ton, seemed to be bent only upon
pleasure. Once again the picture of
the former sailor rose before the pawn
brokers' eyes, and he scowled fiercely
as the seaman pushed his cup up for
the fourth time.
"And now for smoke" said his Wis
itor, as he settled back in his chair.
"A good un, mind. Lord, this is COM
fort! It's the first bit o comfort I've
'ad since come ashore five days ago.
The pawnbroker grunted, and, pro-
dusing a couple of black, greasy-look-
ing cigars gave one to his guest. They
both fell to smoking, the former i'll at
ease, the latter with his feet spread out
on the small fender. making the very
utmost of his bit of comfort.
Are you a man as is fond of asking
questions?" he said. at length.
NO" said the pawnbroker, shutting
his lips illustratively.
Suppose" said the sailor, leanirfr
forward intently, suppose man canN
to you an seS-there'S that blasted asA
sistant of yours peepng through thu
door,"
The pawnbroker got up almost as eX-
asperated as the seaman, and. after
rating his assistant through the half
open door, closed it with a bang, and
pulled down a blind over the glass.
Suppose man came to you," re-
sumed the sailor after the pawnbroker
had seated himself again. land asked
you for five hundred pounds for some
thing. Have you got it?'
Not here" said the pawnbroker,
suspiciously. II don't keep any money
on the premises
You could get it, though?" suggest
ed the other.
Wen see." said the pawnbroker;
five hundred pounds Is a fortune
five hundred pounds. why it takes
years of work-five hundred pounds"
Il don't want no psalms" said the
seaman, abruptly; but, look here. sup
pose I wanted five hundred pounds for
something, and you wouldn't give it.
How am | to know you wouldn't give
information to the police if / iiun't
take what you offered me for. it?"
The oaWnbroker threw up his huge
palms in virtuous horror.
I'D mark you for it If you did," said
the seaman, menaC;ngly. through his
teeth. 1T 'ud be the worst days work
you ever Gi?. viii you take it or
leave it at my price. an If you won't
give Il, leave me to go as I came?"
Il WILL" said the pawnbroker, SOL
EMMY.
The seaman laid his cigar in the tray,
where it expired In a little puddle of
tea. and, undoing his coat, cautiously
took from his waist a canvas belt. In
q hesitating fashion he dangled the
belt i'm his hands, looking from the
man TO the door, and from the door
back to the man again. Then from
pocket in the belt he took something
wrapped in a small piece of dirty fan
llt1, anu, utpoSllttl VII lfle
table a huge diamond, whose smould-
ering fires flashed back in many colors
the light from the gas.
The pawnbroker. with an exclama-
tiOn reached forward to handle it, but
the sailor thrust him back.
Hands off," he said. grimly. "None
of your ringing the changes on me-
He tipped it over with his fingernail
on the table from side to side, the 9TH
er. with his head bent down, closely in
specting it. Then. as a. great indulg-
palm for few seconds.
give hundred pounds" he said, TAX
ing it in his own hands again.
The pawnbroker laughed. 1t was a
laugh which he kept for business pur-
poses. and would have formed a valu-
able addition to the good will of the
shop.
"Ir give you fifty" he said, after he
had regained his composure.
The seaman replaced the gem in it's
wrapper again.
well. I'll give you seventy. and
risk wether l lose over it," continued
the pawnbroker.
Five hundreds my price, said the
seaman, calmly, as he placed the belt
about his waist, and began to buckle
it up.
"Seventy-five," said the pawnbroker.
persuasively.
Look here" said the seaman, re-
garding him sternly. you drop it: I'm
not going to haggle with any man. l
amt no judge o diamonds, but I've 'ad
cause to know as this is something
special. See here"
He rolled back the coat sleeve from
his brawny arm, and revealed q long,
new-ly-healed scar
II risked my life for that stone" he
said slowly. Il value my life at five
hundred pounds. It's likely worth more
than as many thousands, and you