The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1898-08-31
A REFLECTION
By WILLIAM BUCKLEY.


7 FELT like Cortez upon memorable
occasion when the jewelers. glass
door swung behind me, and, marching
up to the counter, asked for a ring.
~ ring, sir?" said the attendant,
Cockney to his finger tips. what sort
of ring?"
IAN engagement ring" said !, valor.
ously.
what size, sir?" demanded the man,
docketing me mentally.
Five and a half" l replied, thinking
of the glove.
That's rather an unusual size, he re-
marked, rubbing one eyebrow, unless
it's a bangle the lady wants."
I'm not sure that she wants it at all,
/ murmured, producing the little san
dalwood- bit of silk; but that
is the size, think"
"O-it's the size Of the lady's and"
he observed with mild liberation, un-
rolling IT, We'll sir, ladies' fingers
vary in girth, and its more usual to fit
them with a piece of cardboard; but
well do our best"
Gould not the member be recon
stitutcd?" l 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-discip-
line to grasp the startling novelty, but
be did, and, under my direction, filled
the third finger sheath with plate pow
der. which ! rammed home with my
pencil case. Then. producing a minia-
ture cailiper, he took measurements,
and began 10 search his scintillating
stock, displaying a reverent familiarity
most impressive TO behold. Cleopatra,
how they dazzled! Pearls, rubes, en-
eralds. diamonds, each challenging the
admiration. but checking the desire by
the narrow parchment slip attached set
ting forth the price. $40, E 80, 6 100;
it was a charmed place. where money
lost its everyday significance, for what
man of spirit would be content to offer
the girl Of his heart thing costing
miserable tenner when close beside it
twinkled a rose diamond worth wilder
ness Of "monkeys?" | felt almost pau
perized. recollecting that had only IS
available from the Derby hundred.
Now, sir, what do you think Of this?"
asked the shopman patronizingly, as
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 10
wear il over 'er glove"
Il I
deavoring TO decipher the price.
80, we don't hold with such super
stition," replied the ieweler, loftily,
but they do say one will keep you from
being poisoned"
Then / shall leave il for the next rich
widow" ! answered. But what is the
cost of this ~
i alluded 10 an emerald set amid
pearls which | already saw glittering on
the loveliest hand in the world. He eX-
tracted it with a silent respect he Dor
rowed from my eagerness, and made a
measurement while / watched him, my
heart beating madly The size was ex-
actly the same; the price-but that is
detail. ! decided upon it. The shop
man thanked me perfunctorily, and
leaned against the counter, feeling like
one who had received a great favor
But when l fumbled in my pocket Cor
the notes and heard their crisp crackle,
my confidence returned, and then as
watched the splendid thing flashing in
its violet bed believed must after all
be a rich man, unknown to myself, so
great was the suggestion of unlimited
wealth thus conveyed.
81 should like a piece of glass on the
inside of the case lid" observed, care
lessly. as it usual?"
That's looking glass?" queried the
lapidary. glancing up from a surrepti
tious examination of the notes.
l nodded. / knew / must be getting
red.
"Well," he remarked tolerantly, "it's
not exactly usual, but it's 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 itP"
well, yes, should think" he replied
condescendingly.
"Then get it done, and I shall stand
the racket" L answered, magniflcently.
He hurried away to effect the altera
ton. his place being taken by bald
headed salesman who wore spectacles,
and talked to me over them soothingly,
as one would to a person of weak intel
lect. while I formulated piratical
schemes, and asked him puerilc ques-