Connecticut western news., 1917-09-20
FIND LARGE DIAMOND
Taken From Bass Which Weighs T
 Pounds Last Week.

Since the arrest at Twin Lakes, m connection with the recent diamond robbery in New York. the friends of Deputy Sheriff Rhoades, have been on the lookout night and day for d. ia. monds which might have been lost in that vicinity. Their vigilance has at last been rewarded, but in such an astonishing manner, that 10th men were completely dumfounded.
 The why and how Of the matter is something like the following: Henry Ives and Sam Seigel who have been at the Lakes off and on all summer, ex. pecting to catch large bass,-which they didn't-held long consultation on the banks of said lake one after noon trying to decide whether it was worth while fishing for fish, which couldn't be caught, or assisting Lou Rhoades hunt down the diamond thieves. After much serious thought. in which several ounces of tobacco were consumed, they decided it was easier to fish; and when it came to running, in case they should find one of the bandits, they knew they couldn't begin to-which fact might result in the loss of some of their own valuables. "Anyway' said Henry, "my partner wouldn't like to have me wasting my time that way, when we might be sitting in boat trying to catch fish,.
 In due time the boat was launched and finally anchored at their favorite bass grounds, (which as yet had pro- ducei only sunfish) and with great care they sounded, baited their hooks and waited for a strike. It was not long before Sam's line began showing signs of life, and eagerly taking his pole in hand, he gave the fish line. His arm shook with a nervous delight, and, we'll, ito make long story short, the bass was finally deposited in the boat, and Hen and Sam were batting each other on the back and shaking hands while wiping the nervous pers- piration from their faces.
 Well I'll be teetotally doggoned if that ain't the biggest fish caught this year.. said Ives. "Yes. it sure is'', remarked Sam, "and won't the natives be surprised when I take it down to Torlington, when go this afternoon. "Take nothing to Torrington. we'll take this fish and show it to the editor of the News, and if he don't give us full column write.up on 1t, well.-You know Sam. sell coal. and he's got to have coal, so I'll fix that. Then we'll take this fish over to the hotel, and invite l5 or PC of our friends to have real feed". Sam was agreeable, but he wanted to know how l5 or 20 were going to have a meal from that fish. After much squabbling, in which the fish was said to weigh from 15 to IS pounds, they decided to take it to Canaan and weigh it.
 Arriving at Dempsey's store, they very carefully took the fish from the basket sin such way as to attract the attention of the ice cream girls awho were there, and Hens chest began to protrude as several oh's and ah's were heard from the girls. Measuring the fish, they found it to be 20 inches long, and when placed on the scales it weighed 7k pounds. II never saw bass 20 inches long weigh that much before", said Freem Dempsey. Evidently Sem and Hen were thinking the same thing as Hen had been trying to attract Sam's feet and finally kicking him in the shins.
 Hurriedly they took the fish and departed for the cellar under feed store, and proceeded to open the fish. What were their feelings when large diamond fell from the entrails of the fish, is hard to describe. After several attempts to say something, Sam finally was able to remark that if caught he would surely be arrested, and says Sam, 'I'll lose my job, and its the only one I've got, and how I'll live If don't get my $l5 every week, I don't know". "Now, Sam", says Henry, with knowing look, "there's only one way out of this, and that is 10 seud this stone to Lou Rhoades with an anony- nous letter, because we could never get rid of it, and he will know what to do with it"
 The stone was carefully wrapped in several sheets of tissue paper, and the following letter was written and sent with it:
 Taconic, Conn. Aug. 42, 1917. Dear Hon. Sheriff Constable Rhoades
 While fishing in Long Pond captured large Bass and upon dis secting him discovered the enclosed diamond I return it to you thinking it may be of great benifit to you in un- travelling the recent diamond robbery of Long Pond not wishing to be impli- cated subscribe Myself
 subscribe myself
 Mt. Ragsie
 When Lou received the above letter, he was gratified to find the diamond, bat thought he, here is chance to make a name for myself, and I'll hunt