The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-12-11
"Thanks," he said. 'But business

crOWQ IOlIOWeu.
The old banker invited them back
into his private Office and shut the
door. It was the first time the Pearl
hunter had ever been farther in bank
than the lobby, and only once in his
life that far. The solid and substan-
tial luxury of the place was a reve-
lation to him. even a matter OF intense
curiosity. But the cumulative effect
of it was to give him courage, to make
him feel he was somebody.
It seemed to the Pearlhunter that
the banker was gone long time when
he went to bring the pearl from the
safe. When he finally re-entered the
private Office the owner of the pearl
saw why. He had hunted up some
where about the bank small box, a
tiny Jewel case, covered with green
plush, and was carrying the pearl in
it-a little thing, but very graceful
and gracious. The act went to the
heart of the Pearlhunter and immense
ly increased his confidence and self
respect which was probably the very
thing the wise old banker hoped it
would do.
Louie Solomon knew fresh water
pearls. Probably there was no great
er expert living. His first glance at
the Blue Moon, when the lid of the
tiny plush case was raised, betrayed
him. Forgetful of the level eyes
watching his slightest move, studying
~, a,orx, ovproSciop ho pOupcpd y1pOn
the glorious jewel and caressed it with
his hands, devoured 1t with his pro-
truding> eyes-the crafty trader lost
for the moment in the expert; the
Jew in the man.
But it was only for the moment. The
enthusiast vanished; in his place the
hard-faced trader. He Strengthened;
set the box, with the lid still up, on
the table that occupied the center OF
the office floor, and looked around at
the others.
5000 he said, with a slither Of
his hand toward the pearl-a gesture
only Louie Solomon could make.
"Undt dot ISIS it for which de pearl
fishers should go crazy"
But even Louie Solomon couldn't
quite put over his accustomed bluff IN
the face Of such gem. 1t drew his
eyes back in spite of h&- Taking a
lens from his pocket, ke stopped over
it again.
"You no see dot fla Y he said, aft
er a short inspection.
The Pearlhunter took the lens and
looked with quick. studied care. Some
times the most perfect pearl will de-
velop flaw in ripening.
"No," he answered, handing back
| the lens. Neither do you"
1t was a straight thrust. The buyer
flushed and studied his man. Who
was this Pearlhunter, anyhow?
"vell. how much you want lit"
II told you."
The Jew ridiculed the ideo with his
hands.
81 fought you make me some fool
ishness. You dond't can meant it?"
you've got good chance to find
| out"
The Jew stopped again over the
pearl, rolled it about upOn the plush
| cushion inside the tiny jewel case; took
small pair Of calipers from his vest
| pocket and measured it, not only to
| determine its size but its roundness as
| well. The old banker looked across
| the table and winked at the PEARL
hunter-a very distinct and unmistak-
| able wink. A dry grin puckered the
young mans eyes. It's not every pearl
fisher that gets winked at by banker.
Solomon looked up after q while
and growled:
81 Gift you tree t'ousan'."
The banker started. But the PEARL
hunter said:
sTf it amt worth more than that
might as well go down to Mud Haul
and fish for bullheads."
Louie Solomon swore-a stiff little
run of what the Flatwoods calls keen
cussin'." His eyes stuck out; ne
stormed back and forth across the
floor a time or two, muttering to him.
self in Yiddish, a language in which
he doubtless swore more comfortably
It was the squirrel whisky. Louie
knew better, too.
But the tempest was soon over. He
stopped at the corner of the table, his
face smoothed serene as garden-
and like a garden, the better for the
storm.
/ Louie, I many times say to mine
self, Louie, you got it too much big
hearted to be pearl buyer yet. Too
much soft-hearted you got it. Hard
hearted a pearl buyer should De. You
giff too high, undt you sell too low
Misses Solomon, she die in DE poor
house yet, hain'dt it? gift you foul
t'ousanf."
| The Pearlhunter glanced across the
table at the banker.
| II reckon you might as well put u
back in the SAFE" he said. HE knows
my price, and he don't seem to wan'
to do business"
| The banker picked up the little
plush case, snapped the lid down, and
started for the door. Taking the pear
from the room was like putting fhe
light out. The Jews face was study