Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-07-21
A REFLECTION
BY WILLIAM BUCKLEY,
FELT like Cortez upon memorable

FELT like Cortez upon a memorable
occasion when the jewelers. glass
door swung behind me, and, marching
up to the counter, asked for ring.
"A ring, sire" said the attendant, o
Eockney to his finger tips. What sort
of ring?"
AN engagement ring" said 1, valor-
sously.
What size, sir?" demanded the man,
docketing me mentally.
Five and a half replied, thinking
of the glove.
That's rather an unusual size" he re-
marked, rubbing one eyebrow, unless
its bangle the lady wants"
I'm not sure that she wants it at ALL -
murmured, producing the little san
dalwood-scented bit of silk; ''but that
is the size, think"
Otis the size of the lady's and"
he observed with mild liberation, I'M
rolling it. "Well, sir, ladies' fingers
vary in girth, and it's more usual to fl {
them with a piece of cardboard; but
we'll do our best"
Gould not the member be recon-
stitutcd?" asked impressively.
That knocked the conceit out of him;
he stared at me helplessly.
Fill it with powder or something"
explained.
1t took him five minutes SELF iscip-
line to grasp the startling novelty, but
he did, and, under my direction, filled
the third finger sheath with plate pow
Ger, which / rammed home with my
pencil case. Then, producing a minia-
ture calliper, he took measurements,
and began to search his scintillating
stock, displaying a reverent familiarity
most impressive to behold. Cleopatra,
how they dazzled! Pearls, rubies. en-
eralds, diamonds, each challenging the
admiration, but checking the desire by
the narrow parchment slip attached set
ting forth the price. G40, 6 so, & 100;
it was charmed place, where money
= lost its everyday significance, for what
man of spirit would be content to offer
the girl of his heart a thing costing a
miserable tenner when close beside it
-twinkled a rose diamond worth a wilder
ness of "monkeys?" / felt almost pau
perized, recollecting that had only 6 IS
available from the Derby hundred.
Now, sir, what do you think of this?"
he displayed an opal changeful as the
shifting sunlight on a misty sea. Its
exactly the lady's size, making allow
.ances, for of course she won't want TO
wear it over 'er glove"
Are not opals unlucky?" said i, en-
.deavoring to decipher the price.
20, we don't hold with such super
.stition,'' replied the jeweler, loftily,
-''bat they do say one will keep you from
being poisoned"
Then 1 shall leave it for the next rich
widow" answered. But what is the
cost of this""
| alluded to an emerald set amid
pearls which already saw glittering on
the loveliest hand in the world. He eX-
tracted it with Il silent respect he bor-
rowed from my eagerness, and made
measurement while I watched him, my
heart beating madly. The size was ex-
actly the same; the price-but that is
detail. I decided upon it. The shop
man thanked me perfunctoriiy, and
leaned against the counter, feeling like
one who had received a great favor.
But when / fumbled in my pocket for
the notes and heard their crisp crackle.
my confidence returned, and then as L
watched the splendid thing flashing in
its violet bed l believed must after all
be rich man, unknown to myself, so
great was the suggestion of unlimited
wealth thus conveyed.
II should like a piece of glass on the
inside of the case lid" observed, care
lessly lis il usual?"
That's looking glass?" queried the
1apidary. CHANGING up from surrePti-
tious examinati ton of the notes.
nodded. / knew 1 must be getting
red.
Well" he remarked tolerantly. 'it's
not exactly usual, but it's a pretty idea
-'ightens the attraction of the gem,
makes the lady see the present from two
points of view"
Hardly an advantage sometimes /
observed; but can you do it?"
We'll, yes, should think" he replied |
conGcscendingly.
Then get it done, and l shall stand |
the racket" / answered, magrificently. |
He hurried away to effect the altera- |
tion, his place being taken by bald |
headed salesman who wore spectacles, |
and talked to me over them soothingly, |
as on" would TO person of weak intel |
lect, while / formulated piratical |
schemes, and asked him puerile ques- |
tions with a gravity equaling his own.
When left the shop headed straight |
for Bloomsbury square, but, remem-
bering that she might be just then &C.
cupied by domestic duties, decided to |
call later in the day. Even the ring |
in my pocket gave me no additional
<roura0e and nreSently began TO think /