Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-08-17

He dipped his chubby little hand into hts
patrons pocket.
handsome Russia leather affair, bound
with silver and having an autograph
cut in the same metal on the back. But
Cornelius placed the pocketbook in the
Americans hand without stopping to
decipher the name.
The stranger laughed again and re-
turned it to the diamond merchant with
a request that he would read it.
The little man gave start, and q
short, sharp cry Of surprise sprang to his
lips, for he could scarcely credit his eyes
with what he read. There, on the Amer
ican's costly case, he saw his own unu-
sual name, Cornelius Vanderstroom. I"
The American lighted cigar, took a
minute or so to get it into good working
order, during which he seemed to be de-
irving infinite amusement from the mer
chants astonished looks, and then he
said:
"All powerful strange, amt it, that
my name should pan out just like yours? :?
Guess I was just as fabbergasted as you
when, looking in your London directory
for leading diamond joint, came
across the facsimile Of my sponsorial
appellation among the Hatton Garden
community. That's what drew me to
you, for it might be that we're kinder
related"
The little Dutchman had never heard
Of any kith or kin in America. But then
the tribe of Vanderstroom had scattered
from The Hague and Amsterdam years
and years ago, and some Of them might
have found their way to the colonies on
the Hudson. Yes, no doubt the general
was right-bloed as well as business ties
existed between them. And, as he knew
full we'll the old settlers from the Low
Countries formed the major portion of
the aristocracy and wealth of the new
world, Cornelius was by no means loath
to welcome so desirable a family con-
nection, especially when the taste for
diamonds, the dashing bays and the un-
told wealth Of Potshot Guloh were borne
in mind.
No sooner, however, had these
Thoughts taken form within the active
brain of Cornelius than horrible sus-
picion presented itself. What if this
newly discovered kinsmau had only
found him out in order to obtain a
lengthy credit for the jewels he had Be-
leoted? The bare idea was too appalling
for contemplation, and it caused the lit
tie merchant to break out into profuse
perspiration.
The American was evidently thought
reader of the highest order He produced
Bank of England note from his pocket
book for e1O0 and laid it on the table.
"Bills," said he, adroitly calling in al
literation's artful aid, "are bully boys
for business. No getting over them.
he liked fair and square deal, he did,
and no favors asked. This was how be
guessed he'd like to trade. He was a
stranger in Europe, and he'd ask no
man to 60 bail for him-no, stree!
That e100 bill was, he calculated, a
better introduction than all the names
and references ION this played out side
Of the herring pond"
The diamond merchant rubbed his
hands. smiled effusively and was evil
IDENTIFY Of his namesakes way Of think
ing.
"Waal, then. s'pose we fix it this
way" continued the American in his
uncompromising Yankee style - "you
hold this e100 bill and wire me to my
hotel when the fixings to the diamonds
are complete Then I come along to
your bureau and weigh in 81, 400 more,
and you hand over the jewels. That
way I don't plank down too much be-
forehand for what 1 haven't got and
you don't part with what you've not
been fully paid for. ~
Really, after all, there was down.
right honest way Of trading about these
New England folk that put your old
world methods to the blush! So thought
the little merchant as he consigned the
note to his waistcoat pocket and took
down the address of the Americans
hotel-a first GLASS one, by the bye--in
Northumberland avenue.