Year: 1877

4


A Valuable set of htamOndS


stolen from an ItaIISn Dealer.


The Vanity Fair of London pub
fishes this:


During the last few weeks per-
feet novelty in the art of swincling
has been brought out in town in
Italy, and as a similar ruse might
be played upon the very sharpest
tradesmen in London, an account
of the mode of proceeding may be
of interest to the residents OF Bond
street and other parts. Some time
since a very gentlemanly-looking
man, accompanied by his daughter,
"a good-looking young lady Of about
eighteen summers, alighted at the
chief hotel Of the town. They
gave themselves out to be English,
and had, among other luggage, four
large boxes, containing two com
plete sets of drawers, like those
used by officers in camp. They
chose a salon and two bedrooms,
one of which opened into the salon.
AS soon as they were settled these
drawers were unpacked, and one
set was placed against the door in
the salon, the other on the other
side of the door in the gentleman's
bed-chamber, the door in question
being (like most of those in conti-
mental hotels very thin. For awhile
all went on very satisfactory. The
gentleman was not extravagant,
but liberal, and was most particular
in calling for his bill every week
and paying it to the moment. Be
fore he had been many days in
town he paid a visit to the princi-
pal ieweler and made some small
purchases, in each case paying cash
and showing that he was well pro-
vided with bank notes. The jew
eler was most anxious to press his
new customer, and brought out
all kinds of beautiful articles to
tempt him, but at first his pur-
chases were moderate, though libe-
rally paid for. At the sRd of a
month the gentleman paid q visit
alone, aud after making another
purchase. observed that his daugh-
ter was about 10 be married, and
that he thought of sending to
Paris for a set of diamonds. The
ieweler could not allow such a
chance to slip through his fingers.
He had the most beaatifpl set in
Europe. the property of princess !;
he was sure that only a Milrod In.
glese could buy them, and begged
bis customer Just to inspect them.
The price was only 400, 900 francs.
The inspection was made, but no
decision was come to that day.


The next day auother inspection
was made and milord agreed to take
them. He thought it would be best
to ask if he should send them round
that evening, but he received a per-
iectly straightforward answer 81
do not keep so much money about
me. l must draw upon my bank
ers in London | will give you
5O0f. to close the business, and the
Jewels you can deliver against cash
in the course Of next week" The
deposit was paid, and the jeweler
satisfied beyond a doubt that he
was dealing with o most perfect
gentleman. Eight days after he
was requested to call the same
morning at IL and bring the dia-
monds, for which he would be
paid. lie arrived at the moment
and found his customer in his
dressing-gown, sitting alone at the
set of drawers referred to, a front
flap of which turned down so as to
form a writing table. The jeweler
advanced respectfully, and laid the
casket open on the flap in question.
Milford" just examined the Jew
els, remarked that Of course he did
not wish his daughter to know any
thing of the transaction at present,
and then proceeded to take out a
large handful of beautiful crisp
notes. AT that moment the door
opened, and in bounded the young
lady in question, as the jeweler az
terward said, "just like a golden
fawn." Nothing was more natural
Ihnn thnt rh;lord ahnuld nlonn nm