Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-05-07

the hands OF the Romans, and so IN
time came into the possession Gf Cesar.
In his courtship Of Cleopatra be soon
discovered that extraordinary woman's
passion for Respondent jewels. and be
was audacious enough 10 present it to
her. Fearing that this might be readily
traced to him when the jewel was miss.
ed, as it would surely be, he told her
secretly of his purpose and then tied it
about the neck of pigeon, which few
with it directly to the palace of Cleo
patra, who awaited the arrival Of the
bird on the rooftops The pigeon, when
nearly home. was attacked by hawk,
and Cleopatra ordered one of her archers
to slay the larger bird with his arrow.
This the man attempted, but struck the
pigeon, which fell, bleeding and dead,
at the queens feet. She at once remov-
ed the gem. which was covered with
blood and dyed with it q rich red"
"But, Mr.. Mitchell" said Mr.. Thau-
ret. surely a ruby could not absorb
blood?"
''It is the history of the gen." Mr..
Mitchell spoke in so odd tone that one
almost thought that, carried away by
his love of precious stones, he had i'm
bibed some of the superstition connected
with them. He spoke as though he be-
lieved the tale. Mr.. Barnes began to
understand what Mr.. Randolph had
meant when he said that perhaps the
desire to possess a rare stone might
tempt this gentleman to commit crime.
Mr.. Mitchell continued:
81 need not follow the story of Cleo
patra- 1t is too we'll known. But there
is an incident that has not been written
in the general history of her career.
There was an Egyptian priest who was
madly in love with her, and in a mo-
ment Of impulse he dared to tell her of
his attachment one day when alone with
her. She seemed slightly amused at his
ardor, and asked what he, poor priest,
could offer per; who bad gieh rulers ct
her feet. In desperation be answered
that he could give his life. The queen
laughed and said: THAT is mine already.
But you priests claim to be all wise.
Find me the mate to my great ruby and
perhaps I will listen to your love plead
ings. To her intense surprise the man
replied: That I could do if l dared.
The gem which you have has but return
ed to its proper place. It was once Pha-
raoh's. He also had the mate to it,
which from him descended through
kings to Rameses the Great. 1t is buried
in his coffin. Get it for me, was the
terse reply of Cleopatra, given now as a
command rather than request
"In fear the priest went into the pyr-
amid and Stole the jewel. WheR be
presented it to Cleopatra, she cried out
at him: What FOOLS trick is this? Do
you think this pale stone match to
mine?' The priest explained that hers
had been dyed red in the blood of the
pigeon. 'Ah, sol she replied. Then
this one shall be also richer red. You
promised me your life once. claim it,
and in your blood this stone shall be
stepped till it matches the other in col
or. She carried out her threat, and the
two stones were once more mates"
"What an absurdity!" exclaimed Mr..
"Do not say so," said Mr.. Thauret.
''We cannot tell what may happen in
this world"
"The next change Of owners was
when Cleopatra killed herself. One Of
her handmaidens stole the two rubies,
but she herself was taken, a slave, to
Rome and sold. Her purchaser discov-
cred the rubies, took them from her,
and then secretly murdered her, lest she
might tell that he had them. From this |
time on they have gone by the name of |
the Egyptian gems. need not give
you the whole list of robberies and mur-
lers that have been connected with the |
two stones, though I have the written |
record complete, with names of all the |
Suffice it to say that for years
40 one was the gamer by getting pos
session of them. They have always been
to sell until I bought this
me, which is the first time either ever
was offered honestly in the market. Be-
fore this each new owner had obtained |
the jewels either by theft or murder and
Jared not admit that he had them. An
>ther curious thing is that no one has
sver succeeded i'll hiding the jewels so
hat they could not be found. They
lave been secreted between the stones
# wall, they have been sewed under
he hide Of an ass and hidden in other
equally obscure places, yet always the
lext thief has found and taken Them"
"Ah, that is Interestingly" said Mr..
Chauret. "But tell us frankly, since
We are pledged not to repeat what we
lear, do you suppose there is any power
Inherent in the stone which attracts
,ersons to their discovery"
81 cannot say, but that is one of the
laims. This seems to be susbtantiated
y recent events too"
"How so?"
."Well, my usual interest in large
ems led me to police headquarters
when that woman Rose Mitchell was
,illed, after having been robbed. The
ewels, you remember, had been quickly
and are still in the hands of
he police. I was allowed to see them,
nd the ruby in that lot is undoubtedly
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