The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-08-23
GUARDED AS A TALIsMAN.
Mexican indians Have the Worlds Most
Precious Emeralds.

Precious Emeralds.
Philadelphia Inquirer,
For years ever since Mexico was opeucd
to III" white man every traveller to that
romantic land has heard of the emerald
Of oaiaca Ramon said that 81 was huge
almost beyond belief Whatever its size
" j. certain that the mdiau, believed
wa IT'S magic properties so white man
cNW saw ~. but now an American woman
hts succeeded, through sister wOmAu's
Alu tudv where men found failure
lh" emerald of 0aiacn has for ages been
me object "f covctous interest on the part
"' spanish vicrroXs, Mexican presidents
and provincial governors. Great dealers IN
precious stones have sought ~. too. hut
tIiD Indians, Hs the Inca, descendants OF
the A1tccs. to whom the emerald Is Sup.
posed ia have originally belonged hold
~ iu supcrstitious reverence and such So fr.
keeping that unti' recent years little hut
unconnrmed legends OF the stones exist
few years ago President Diaz became
So interested III the matter that he do
'ided TO prove the truth or fallacy OF
the reports Of this cmerald's Size and yalue.
without warning he suddenly appeared IN
the village where 10 was said the gem
was secretcd lie summoned the people
INTO the plaza aud announced that " they
would show him the emerald known to Ec
in their possession he would In return pro-
claim public holiday ana entertain them
WIN fiesta az his own expense. He prom
lsod, ny presidcut ana by virtue OF the
same blood In his and their veins. that 40
1hey would accede to his request he would
not attempt TO take the emerald from
Upon this prolonged consultation ensued
among the Indians. the result Of which was
that from afar on In the crowd one Of
them held up ~ arms length between his
forohnger and thumb the famous emerald,
, sc!ujillRting Ia the rays of the sun Dlu1
was DESTROYS a q closer inspection, and,
turning 10 his guards, ordered the man 10
be brought to him. His actions, # not his
words were AT once considered by the IN
danS 10 be suspicious. So they promptly
raised tumult, amid shouts Of viva Poi.
. hrio DiazE' Viva lie fiesta" the man and
/ the emerald disappeared, and this was the
only glimpse the powerful president was
4 able to obtain Of IT,
I An American woman had better fortune.
. n happened that her husband was appoint.
/ ed 10 snperiutend the medical department
! az the railroad being built through Oaincn,
and, incidentally. saved the life Of an In.
, dian woman. In her gratitude, this woman
: begged to he allowed 10 make some recon
( pcnsc, MS the American doctor had refused
4 to accept fee But, half IN Jest, be Pc.
pNCu that " she would show him me
Oalacn emerald he would be satisfied, At
jnis the woman seemed greatly Disturbed
She az first declared she knew nothing
I about Il, but on being pressed further 10y
/ the doctors wife she admitted knowing
where IT was hidden. Finally she promised
/ that n the doctor would solemnly promise
~ absent himself she would obtain the
! stone and show II to his wife. For Some
unexplained reason she held so StcadiHstly
go this point that the wife must be alone
I when the emerald was produced that II
WAS Welded. though much to the doctor S
disappointment
So one morning shortly ufterward The IN
dian woman appeared at the physician
/ Temporary residence, She made sure ina
the doctors wife and herself We're alone
then She produced the emerald from folC
| n her clothing For about minute ouIl
was the doctors wife permitted 10 inspoc
the gem while IL was held securely in I'M
naiAn womau's fingers. In size, according
IN The fortunate visitors account, Tho
| stone h as large as a pigeons egg, crude
IS polished and OF rich grass-green color
| In lis depths she noticed q few black spot
| or flaws which goes far 10 prove that .
is genuine emerald and not the volcanic
glass. MS has been suggested. The puree
emeralds are seldom without flaws. thi,
| being one NJ the tests taken into accom-
| by experts.
| In great haste the Indian woman agar
| secreted the gem and went out, but one
| curious circumstance the doctor and his
| wife remarked subsequently, During the
remainder 81 their stay In the village
though they met the woman several times
/ neither by word nor sign would she rpCpg
nize thpir previous relations. She treatct
them as absolute strangers. To her mind
the risk she had run In showing the tails
man of her tribe was full compensat ior
ucf Is that the stone Is not secreted "
amy place, but Is concealed on the pers0i
of one N tho Indians and passed on az
circumstances may require. If such IS IN
case the woman must have obtained thi
gem by stealth. and during the time q
| was in her possession she was doubtles
in no little danger Of her life.