Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-09-18


merchant, what was to do when a
ragged loafer like you came in and
showed me diamond worth thou
sand pounds and told me he had doz-
ems. hundreds, more like it? Did you
expect me to risk standing in the dock
by your side? Who could have given
fai.er evidence in your behalf than
did? Who proved that YOU could not
have stolen the stones? Whom have
you to thank for being at liberty now
but the expert who swore that no such
diamonds had been seen before in this
world!"
Philip waited until the mans passion
had exhausted itself Then he went
on coolly:
"That is your point of view, sup
pose. Mine is that you could have sat
isfed yourself concerning all these
points without sending me to prison.
However, this discussion is beside the
present question. Will You buy my.
diamonds!"
lsaacstein recovered his seat. He
wiped his face vigorously. but the
trading instinct conquered his fury.
Yes he snapped. How much do
you want for them?'
81 notice that their value steadily
increases. The first time you saw this
diamond lie held up the stone
originally exhibited-"you said it was
worth 5000 or fT0O. Today you name
a thousand. However, will take your
own valuation for this unimportant
collection and accept 100000"
ooh. you will. will you? And how
will you have 1t. in notes or gold?'
He could not help this display of
cheap sarcasm. The situation was los
ing its annoyance. The humor of 1t
was beginning to dawn on him. When
his glance rested more critically on
Philip. the boys age, the poverty of
his circumstances, the whole fantastic
ilicongruity of the affair forced his
recognition.
Not unprepared for such a retort,
Philip gathered the stones together
and twisted the ends of the paper.
Evidently the parcel was going back
into his pocket. He glanced alta clock,
too, which licked solemnly over the
office door,
Here, what are you doing:" cried
Isaacstein.
''Going to some one who will deal
with me in reasonable manner. Ii is
not very late yet. suppose there ara
plenty of firms like yours in Hatton
Garden, or / can go back to Mr.. Will
SOM
'.Sit down. Sit down." growled the
man, vainly striving to cloak his ner-
vousness by show of grim jocosity.
II never saw such a boy in my life.
You are touchy as gunpowder l was
only Joking
II am not Joking. Mr.. Isaacstein.
Your price is my price-f50, 600"
.'Do You think carry that amount of
money in my pllrse?" demanded Isaac
stein, striving desperately to think out
some means whereby he could get Phil
stnasnto a more amiable mood, when.
perchhace, the true story Of the gems
might be revealed.
NO. was the answer. Even If you
gave it to me should not take 1t
away.-I want you to advance. say, ESQ
today. l require clothes and other
things. Then tomorrow you can bring
me to Il bank and pay portion of the
purchase price tony credit, giving me
at the same time a written promise t,
pay the remainder within a week or
month, any reasonable period, intact
Inc diamond merchant was quickly
becoming serious, methodical as he'lis-
tened., This businesslilie proposal was
the one thing needed to restore his be
wilderel faculties.
Tell me. boy" he said. who las
been advising you:' - -
No one."
DO you mean to say you came here
today TO trade with me without con-
sulting any OTHER person."
Il certainly told Mr.. Abingdon | was
coming and feel that can always
return to him for any advice if am in
difficulty, but the offer | have just
made is my own
Watching Isaacstein's face was all
interesting operation to Philip. Under
ordinary conditions lie might as well
expect to find emotion depicted in ii
pound of butter as in that oily counte,
nance, with Its set expression nodded
by years OF sharp dealings. But today
the man was startled out Of all the ac-
custOmed grooves of business. He was
confronted with n problem so novel
that shis experience was not wide
enough to embrace it.
So Philip caught CLEAN of resent
ment at the introduction of the mags
trate's name. and he Instantly resolved
to see Mr.. Abingdon again at the
earliest opportunity.
"Oh. he treated you kindly today.
lid he?" snarled 'Isaacstein.
Yes, most kindly"
you don't drink, SUPPOSED" broke
IN the other abruptly.
mo; am only boy of fifteen and
do not need stimulants."
He was favored with a sharp glance
at this remark, but he bent over his