Catoctin clarion., 1900-12-20
THE METEOR DIAMOND
How 1t was Recovered by a Detective.
O-O--O--O--O-O

1t was the night of Nov. 4th, 1899 as
Mr.. David Allen sat blue penclIipg
some proof sheets, when there came d
ponderous thud that to him seemed Just
under the window, 1t shook the whole
house, and when he looked out Of the
window he saw that SOM thing had
made deep hole in the garden. II c
next day he dug up small meteor. 1t
was most formidable looking piece OF
metal. 1t contained at the surface a
small crystal
The stone in size and shape resom-
bled the egg of rock pigeon, but in
color it was watery, with just tnge CT
yellow. Mr.. Allen wrapped it up in
tissue paper, placed it in box and
called on the scientist to ask his opln-
ion.
DR.. Reford said it was leopardite-
mineral, he said, found always in a
crystallized condition-and Ia k d
about lateral planes, oblique prisms,
translucent edges and wound up by Civ.
ing the component parts OF this Won
derful stcne aud it's specific gravity.
Va the stone of any value, Dl. Re
ford? Allen asked.
We'll, scientifically, yes; intrinslcally
no. But before returning it | would
like to make further and more ex-
haustive inquiry into the chemical parts
of it,
Certainly, DR.. Reford. Keep it as
long as You wish Then Allen went
home.
lie thought no more about it until
his friend Jones asked;
What have you done with the peb-
bic, Alien"
'Oh, | took it to local doctor who
dabblcs bit in SCIENCE
Did he tell you what it was? I'll tell
you why Task. Do you rememberClay-
ton of Yale? Well, no matter He's a
wonderful smart chap. saw him alb
solutely make diamond few weeks
back. He explained that the pinhead
he produced was OF the first water and
that when electricity was better known
diamonds would be as cheap as they are
now dear. He placed few metals and
other ingredients into cruclble and
then boiled the lot up by the aid OF a
powerful electric current, with the re-
suit I've told you. Now, Clayton says
If he could only get an odd hundred OF
thousand degrees, forget which, more
heat he could make a diamond as big as
a hens egg.
Despite all efforts Of Allen to dispel
the thoughts conjured up by Jones re-
marks the matter would recur. He
tried to laugh it away, but to no avail
so he walked over to DR.. Retord's to
ask for the pebbles return.
The doctor was in and disengaged.
Well Mr.. Allen, | have dissolved
that stone. 1t was nothing more than
glass DR.. Reford showed Allen wide
necked wal with some whitish LIQUID
in it and beneath which was small
ridge of green sediment.
There said he, us all that is left Of
your treasure, Mr.. Allen
Allen was disappointed in not having
the pebble to keep as nemento. He,
however, said it couldn't be helped.
MI tell you what will do, Mr.. AL
len. I'll solidity that sediment 80 that
you may have something to remind you
of your midnight visitor
Allen jumped at the offer and left,
contented.
About week after this DR.. Reford
acoompa MED by youngsh looking
man, called upon Allen. The doctor
introduced the youngish looking man as
DR.. Smith. He said DR.. Smith was 60
ing to take charge of his practice while
he voyaged to Europe.
The next day gentlemanly iudlvid,
ual called to see Mr.. Allen on urgent