Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-01-09
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
The Lost Jewel.

pened that one day a young country
man came to his house with a stone
| which he had found in the neighboring
mountains and had brought TO Philip
as an honest man and one whom he
| could trust. The jeweler took the
stone and after examining 1t atten-
lively said with careless air that it
was of small value. but that he would
| give him 20 thaiers for ii. The coun-
tryman, who knew nothing of the val
ue of precious stones, instantly agreed,
and Philip paid him the money. AS
soon as he was gone our jeweler took
the gem, which was jacinth of great
value. and regarded it with Il well sat
isfied smile.
In a short time another visitor came
to Philip. He was little man of well
fed appearance. with enormous green
spectacles. a high crowned hat and
high heeled shoes. This person de-
manded n stone proper for ring. such
as n diamond or an amethyst. Philip
took down the case in which he had
deposited his precious jacinth and eX-
hibited it's contents to the stranger.
who selected a fine diamond. for which
Philip took care to ask double what it
|
his demand without grudging and went
away. saying that he would soon see
him again.
Soon after Philip took down the case
to feast his eyes upon his jewel. when.
on opening it. to his CONSERVATION. no
jacinth was to be found. In vain he
searched every corner. The gem was
| flown.
1 Tn, Il Of
out and was bordering an apology for
the morrow when. on turning a corner,
he felt some one tap him Oh the Shout
der and, turning round. saw the gen.
| tleman in the green spectacles. who.
with knowing wink. asked him what
had become of his jacinth. The jew
eler was rather surprised. rs he did
not remember having seen the stranger
examine ii, so he very naturally asked
him if he knew anything about it.
THAT l do, Herr Philip"
| The stranger Informed Philip that he
could not tell him at present. but that
if he came that evening to the forest
ut the foot of the Schneeberg noun
tain he would see and perhaps regain
his jacinth. Philip promised to be
punctual, on which the gentleman said
adieu. telling him that he had gone
business to transact, but would be
back in time.
He waited with the utmost impa-
thence for the appointed time. and
when at length it began to grow dark
he set out with beating heart for the
rendezvous. Soon he approached the
forest and saw the clouds eddying
around the summit of the Schneeberg
He went on his way rejoicing. and, al
though at the first step i'm the wood he
plunged up to the neck in 4 morass, so
immersed was he I'm his delight at the
prospect of regaining his jacinth that
he scarcely noticed his immersion in
the water. On he passed through bush,
through brake. frequently coming in
contact with the trunks of trees, to
the utter discontinue of his sedate
and sober wig. The bushes seemed to
get thicker and the pools deeper the
farther ne proceeded, and at length he
was fairly brought to stand by
broad sheet of water. the leaping of
which was out of the question even to
n much better leaper than our friend
Philip.
| While he was standing considering
what was to be done he heard voice
crying: Here comes my worthy friend,
Philip Dorm Prepare We the way for
him." And shouts of laughter rang
through the forest. At this Philip
was amazed; but, seeing the pool dis
appear. he stepped boldly forward and
found himself ut the rock appointed
as the place of meeting.
The gentleman I'm the green specta-
cleS made his appearance on the top Of
1t and greeted Philip with great po-
likeness. and, although the rock was
very precipitous, he walked down it
with the greatest ease and stood at
Philips side. Now" said he, Herr
Dorm, you will be good enough to fol-
low me little farther" to which Phil
ip bowed assent, though he would rath-
err have been excused. On they went
for considerable time through n part
Of the forest that Philip had never
seen before till at length they reached
a wilderness of rocks which appeared
broken from the mountain. They still
proceeded between two high walls of
rock till they came to a wide cavern,
brilliantly lighted, in which Philip saw
his jacinth suspended by n gold chain.
which seemed to ascend to an Immense
height, as it's other end was lost in the
darkness. Now" said his compan-
ion. ''there is your jacinth. You have
but to stretch out your hand. and 1t is
yours" Philip stepped forward and
laid hold of the Jewel and attempted
to take it from the chain. when sudden
ly he felt the earth sink beneath his
feet and. attempting to pull the jewel
away. found it firmly bound to the wall.
He turned round in agony to his COM
panion and saw him standing, laugh
ing immoderately. with his spectacles
In one hand and his eyes flaming like
burning Goals. Hold fast, friend Phil
ipr' he cried. Hold FAST" and in
stantly vanished in the darkness. The
cavern closed with fearful crash. and
shouts of laughter, mingled with cries
L. - A.