Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-02-13
A Smart Trick.
THE ARIsToCRATIC CUSTOMER.

Bullion, my friend, whose laugh
as he spake was not as jolly as usual,
is known to be on of the largest and
most reliable dealers in jewelry and
precious stones in prominent city.
"Was / ever bit?" he said "yes,
l have been bit, and in the worst
way, too. AS | have acknowledged
this much to you, may as we'll tell
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 l thought, as / gazed
out upon the almost deserted streets,
that. Tor 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 the shop
door. | looked up as there entered
perfect type of gentleman. His
clothing was of the best material,
and in thorough good taste. He was
tall, with snOw-white necktie, and
gold-rim med spectacIes across his
nose. He might have been a bank
manager, member of Congress, a
clergyman. He certainly looked re-
spectacle enough to be either.
l have been recommended to you,
sir Mr. Bullion, | believe ?"-I
bowed" by Messrs. Blank, Blank
ETY. & Blank. understand you have
the best collection or assortment of
diamonds in the city,
Il believe that no house in the coun-
try carries a larger or more varied
stock 1 replied.
We'll, my daughter is with me
here from the West, and has met
the gentleman 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 absense will not give
him time to visit our far-off home,
and / have yielded to the young peo.
that the wedding should take place
here.
Lacking the time to prepare for
more rational gifts,I must do the
best can, and deck her out with
the jewels that all women love so
well. At all events, diamonds are
good investment. Let us see what
you have
| displayed my en- ire stock tray
after tray of glitterjlg gems / pro-
duced, and though 'Ie handled them
and held them up n differedt lights,
there was not a sign of those suspi-
cious movement, which we dealers
have learned tC know so we'll and to
watch for so Closely.
AT ast he made his selections-a
pair q: earrings three hundred dol
lars, bracelet five hundred dollars,
brooch one hundred and twenty-five
dollars, solitaire ring two hundred
and lace pin for the only
bridesmaid one hundred dollars
All these were set with the finest
first-water diamonds; twelve hun
dred and twenty-five dollars !--rather
a good hours work for hot August
While it was being done, that gen.
tleman was busy counting over the
contents of large pocketbook, and
when l handed him the small but
valuable package and the bill 1.-THE
bill from force of habit, being pre-
sented a little in advance he passed
me over a check and some bank
notes. There was twelve hundred
and twenty-five dollars in all.
Replacing the large wallet in his
breast-pocket, he produced a small
purse, and proceeded to pay the bal
ance. After searching in every
pocket, he found himself five dollars
short.
While he fumbled and fused, ard
while l partly occupied myself with
frying to look as though 1 was pay
ing no attention to him, | noticed
rather roughly dressed, thickset man
pass and repass the door. Then he
came up and fiattened his nose
against the plate-glass window. His
next move was to place his body in
side the door and close it. Then,
with a sigh Of relief and a disgust
ingly familiar wink towards me, he
said, under his breath, "In time, af.
ter all ?" and then stepped up to my
customer, whose back had been
turned to him, and smacked him on
the shoulder.
Hey, Dick, at your old tricks
again, are you?"
The gentleman turned around and
seemed to be turned speechless. AS
for me, was red hot with rage.
What do you mean,' l demanded,
by coming into this place and in
sulting my customers /? Who are
you, STRIP
Customer, Ell? Been buying,
has he? He's nice customer, he
is and as to who / am and what /
mean, there's my card that'll soon
tell you all you want to know"
'I don't want your card, sir. This
gentleman has bought my goods and
paid for them-paid for them, sir
and 1 glanced at the card and ode
tective" thereon, but still 1 was not
ready to believe. Il don't care if
you were a dozen detectives, you
can't insult gentlemen in my shop.
pll call a policeman
Call three or four If you want to-,
said the rough intruder 'but Dick
and now he addressed the gentleman,
will you go quietly with me or
will Won not?j