Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-08-27
solved to be content with his 10 per

And this might well be. Twenty-Five
thousand pounds year earned by
few journeys to the continental few
haggling interviews In the Hatton Gar.
den Office! What gold mine! More
over. he would be the head man In the
trade. He was that now. In some re-
spects, but under the new conditions
none could gainsay his place at the top.
Even the magnates Of Kimberley would
be staggered by this new source of sup
ply. What did It matter II the boy
kept to his rags and amazed the world
so long as the diamonds were forth
coming? 1t was no silk hated gentle
man who first stumbled across the dia-
mond laden earth Of South Africa.
Isaacstein had made up his mind. Fate
sad thrust this business into his lap.
He would be fool to lose it out Of
mere curiosity.
YES" said Philip. 'lhgree to that"
Samuel" yelled Isaacstein.
Coming, SIR" was the answering
shout, and fiurried clerk appeared.
Bring in the scales, Samuel"
The scales were brought and level
space cleared for them OH the desk.
Philip, of course, had never before
seen an instrument so delicately ad-
justed. A breath would serve to de-
press the balance.
The boy held forth his paper and
poured the contents into the tiny brass
tray of the scales. Samuels mouth
opened and his eyes widened. 1t was
his first sight OF the diamonds.
-Four ounces eight pennyweights five
grains-G20 carats in thirty stones.
Oh, good gracious me" murmured the
clerk.
Isaacstein checked the record care
fully.
"Right." lie said. "Put them in the
safe"
Philip raised no protest this time.
He knew that the man would keep his
word Indeed. Isaacstein told Samuel
to bring him fifty sovereigns, and ere
the man returned he began to write
on sheet of letter paper:
"Received from- Here! What's
your namey' he broke IN.
philip"
"Phi!!p what"
"That will do today, thank you. The
next time call will give you my
full name and address,
"Please yourself. l am no judge In
this matter" and he wrote on:
Received from Philip. boy who refuses
any other name. but the same whom l
saw In this Office on the 10Th inst. and
again at the Clerkenwell police court on
that date. thirty meteoric diamonds
weighing In the gross SO carats. hereby
agree to dispose OF the same and to rem
der true account of the sales TO said
Philip or his agents, my commission TO
be 10 per cent. the expenses payable by
me- I have today handed the said Philip
ESQ I'm gold and undertake to place f5,o0O
to his credit tomorrow with my bankers.
REUBEN ISAACSTEIN.
After completing this acknowledge
ment he scrlbbled something else.
There" he said, with sigh Of re-
lief, that is not very formal docu-
ment, but it will suffice. You can get
It stamped tomorrow at Somerset
House. Just sign this receipt for fo0.'
Philip took the two papers and read
them carefully. Isaacstein's handwrit-
ing was scrawl, but legible enough.
The boy reached for pen and signed
his Christian name. He was on the
point of adding his surname in all un-
guarded moment, but he felt the mans
eye on him. so he simply wrote "Phil-
ip" across the stamp at the foot OF the
receipt.
Isaacstein fully appreciated the incl
dent and knew that his own eagerness
defeated the chance, all the more pow
erful because it was involuntary, OF
ascertaining the name OF this marvel
Gus youth.
Philip gathered up his gold not with
out counting the coins. They felt
strangely heavy in his pocket-much
heavier than the stones they replaced
vet they formed but ihousandth part
of the value Of those fiintlike pebbles.
What queer problem It was, this ra-
ito OF worth between few stones and
the bright minted sovercigns.
"What time shall call tomorrow
he asked. standing cap in hand, ready
to take his departure.
"At II. But walt one moment. Have
you no friends to look after you? See
what trouble you may get into. Why.
the mere possession Of 30 much gold
by boy like you may
"T can take care Of myself. Mr.. Isaac
stein. will Ike here at II. Good aft
ernoon."
fro BE Continued