Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-31
The Daily Story
ACQUIRING EXPERIENCE-BY THOMAS r. DEAN.
Isurear
copyrighted 1918. by Associate Literary

llSHDndn.
These stones are genuine and worth
the price asked for them. But one
thing l wish distinctly understood-l
am approving them. and them alone.
If in this transaction you come into
possession of similar stones of less
value don't blame me. That is your
lookout and not mine"
At this the young lady looked trou-
b!ed and her father seemed puzzled.
II was caught that way once" he
said, "and will never be so imposed
upon again. Let me see" And he
appeared 10 be thinking of some plan
by which he might feel sure he would
get the article he paid for The trou-
BILE is two sided" he went on presently.
81 don't ask Mr.. Mayer to trust me
any more than am willing to trust
him. 1t is 4 purely business transac-
ton. If had the price of the brace
let right here in gold coin and could
exchange the bracelet for the gold we
would both be satisfied. Unfortunately
must wait for funds to be cabled
from London, which will require sew
eral days. l fear we shall have to so
over this inspection again when my
funds arrive"
II shall not be here to make it for
you" said the expert. 81 am leaving
town tomorrow to be gone for some
time"
The girl looked ruefully at Isaac as
If to say, 81 told you so; shall never
get my bracelet"
81 can suggest way out of the mat
ter" continued the expert. Seal the
bracelet in the box in which 1t came
to you with your seal. Let Mr.. Mayer
take it back TO his store and keep 1t
till you are ready to pay for 1t. Then
break the seal yourself and you may
be sure you have the gems have pro-
nounced upon"
''That's q good idea," said the Eng
lishman. 'I will not claim the brace
let till my check for It is pronounced
good. Would that satisfy you, Mr..
| Msyer?'
Perfectly" said the jeweler, secret
| ly hoping that the funds would arrive
| and the sale be effected before his IA
| Tiers return. There was 5000 profit
in it, and Isaac needed the amount to
make up the 5000 excess he desired
! to show during the old mans absence.
Meanwhile the box containing the
| bracelet had been passing from one to
the other of those present. At Isaac
| Mayors assent the Englishman took It
from his daughter. Mayer, who was
keeping an eye on it. glanced at it as
it passed from father to daughter and.
nrln NJ
from him, saw the lid go on the box
containing the bracelet. Wax was pro-
duced and the box sealed with ring
the purchaser wore on his little finger.
Then It was handed to Mayer. who.
very happy over the sale, Withdrew.
Several days passed, and nothing
more was heard of the Engiishman or
his daughter. Isaac sent clerk to
the hotel to ask after them. He came
back with the information that they
had left town the day the sale was
made. Isaac made jump for the
safe in which he had placed the brace
let. broke the seal. took off the cover,
and there nesting inside was the
bracelet he had sold for $3.50. He had
been victimized to the amount OF So,
$50.
In less than a week Nathan Mayer
arrived from abroad and instead of
finding a hearty welcome from his
son was received with a lugubrious
countenance.
"What's the matter. Isaac?" he ask
ed quickly. Anything gone wrong?"
Isaac told the story of how he had
been victimiged with hanging head.
"Well. my boy" said the old man,
you've learned what l have long
known-that 1t takes a lot OF expe-
rience in the Jewelry business to keep
ont OF the tolls of sharpers. You'll
make it up some day. Don't worry
about it now. I've just got home and
have invited some friends l met abroad
to dine with us. Don't put damper
on the dinner by mourning over your
loss"
This did not comfort Isaac. but he
managed to get into dinner dress TO
help entertain his fathers friends.
What was his establishment when he
went from his room down to the draw
ing room TO see the Englishman and
his daughter who had swindled him.
On a table lay the bracelet they had
made away with.
This is my friend. Mr.. Alderman
of London" said Nathan Mayer. land
Miss Alderman. You've met before
Ell? Well. you must forgive your old
father for playing a trick on you.
laid the plan myself. We talked II
over in London, and they, coming over
ahead of me, carried it ont beauti
fully"
Miss Alderman advanced. smiling
put out her hand to Isaac and grasped
his warmly ...e,s.
Forgive me-" she said. s-ssic ~
IF had TO be swindled." he replied
"T would prefer to be swindled by 81
charming a young lady. I must com
pliment you on your ability as q de
ceiver."
you mean as an actress" said Mr.
Mayer. Sr.
. A