The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-03-29

In pause OF tho conversation the wearer OF
the prodigious spectaces looked round upon
the party. making each Individual in turn the
object of the sneer which invariably dwet upon
his countenance.
80. fellow pilgrims" said he here we ara
seven wise men and one fair damsel, who doubt
less Is as wise as any greybeard of the COM
pany' Here we are, say. ell bound on the
same goodly enterprise. Methnks, now IL were
not amiss that each OF us declare what he pro-
poses to do with the Great Carbuncle provided
he have the good hap to clutch it. What says
our friend In the bearskin? How mean YOU
good sir, to enjoy the prize which you have
been seeking the Lord knows how long among
tho Crystal Hills?"
How enjoy itw exclaimed the aged Seeker
bitterly. Il hope for enjoyment from It;
that folly has passed long ago. I keep up the
search for this accursed stone because the vain
ambition OF my youth has become fate upon
me in old age The pusuit alono is my strength
the energy Of my soul, the warmth of my blood
and the pith and marrow Of my bones Were
to turn my back upon IT. I should fall down
dead on the hither side of the notch which Ia
the gateway OF this mountain region. Yet not
10 have my waste dlifetime back again give up
up my hopes of the Great Carbuncle. Having
found it. shall bear it a certain cavern that
wot of, and there srasping It In my arms, lie
down and die and keep it buried with me for
ever"
"Oh wretch regardless of the interests OF
science" cried Doctor Cacaphodel, with philoso-
phic Indignation, "thouS art not worthy to be-
hold even from afar off the luster of this most
precious gem that was coucocted in the
laboratory of nature, Mine is the sole purpose
for which wise man may desire he possession
OF the Great Carbuncle, Immediately on OBJ
tanning it-for 1 have a presentiment, good
people, that the prize is reserved to crown my
scientific reputation shall return to Europe
and employ my remaining years in reducing it
to its first elements, A portion OF the stone will
1 grind TO impalpable powder, other parts shall
be dissolved in acids whatever solvents will
act upon so admirable a composition. and the
remainder l design to melt In the crucible or
set on fire with the blow-pp By these various
methods shall gain accurate analysis. and
finally bestow the result OF my labors upon the
world In folio volume"
Excellent" yuoth the man with the spec-
tacles Nor need you hesitate, learned sir on
account OF the necessary destruction of the gen.
since the perusa1 of your folio may teach every
mothers son Of US to concoct a Great Carbuncle
Of his own"
But verify said Master Ichabod Pigsnort
for mine own part, object to the making of
these counterfeits, being calculated to reduce
the marketable value of the true gem. tell
ye frankly, slrs. have interest In keeping
up the price. Hero have 1 quilted my regular
traffic. leaving my warehouse in the care of my
clerks and putting my credit to great hazard
and furthermore, have put myself in peril of
death rcaptivity by the accursed heather saw
agses, and all this without daring ask the
prayers of the congregation, because the quest
for the Great Carbuncle is deemed little better
than traffic with the evil one. Now, think ye
that would have done this grievous wrong to
my soul, body, reputation and estate without
a reasonable chance of profit?
Not l. pious Master Pigsnort" said the
with the spectacles IT never laid such great
folly to thy charge"
Truly, hope not" said the merchant. Now
touching this Great Carbuncle, free
that have never had a glimps OF it. but
be it only the hundredth part SO bright people
tell, 1t will surely out-value the Great MoguPs
best diamond, which he holds at incalculable
sum; wherefore 1 minded to put the Great
Carbuncle shipboard and voyage with to
England, France. Spain, Italy, or to heathen-
dom If Providence should send mo thither and
in word, dispose of the gem to the best bidder
among the potentates of the earth, that he may
place 1t among his crown Jewels II any Of ye
have a wiser plan, let him eNpound It."
THAT have I, thou sordid mani" exclaimed the
poet. "Dost thou desire nothing brighter than
gold. that thou wouldst transmute all this