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13
SAMUEL WRIGHT, Editor and Proprietor.
VOLUME XXX, NUMBER i 6.1
PUBLISQED EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
Vice in Carpet h ail, Xortle-test errrnrr of
!Front and Locust streets.
Terms of Subsotiptiim.
due Copyperanuum.i f paidin advance,
4. •• if not paid within three
month afrom commencement orthe year, 200
4at 4= 1 .13.2:Lti51 ZIG C70135n.
tti o Atibimriptton received for a le.. time then •ix
mamba; and eta paper will be di.teontinued until all
itirearagerare paid,unlessat the optional the pub
ts.her.
icrAtoncynaaybcremittedb ymail anl. ep abli4l
- risk.
Rates of Advertising
k equare[Gtinesjone week,
three week,.
each.uhsequenannertion, 10
f 17 ines)one week. 50
three weeks, t 00
i, each•sub.equentialertion. :15
.
targeradvertiscmeatpin proportintt.
A liberaidiscoual will be Mode toquerterly,balf
earlyoryearlytdvertiserg,who are strictl}coldined
otheir business.
DR. HOFFER,
DENTIST. --OFFICE, Front Street 4th door
tram Locust. over tinylor &McDonald's Hook store
Columbist, Pa. j][7"Etttrancc, between the Book and
Dr. Lien's Drug -tore. [august 21, 18.5 d
THOMAS WELStf,
TUSTICE OF TUE PEACE, Columbia, Pa.
ILI OFFICE:, in Whipper's New Building, below
►flack's Hotel, Front street.
IlErPrompt attention given to all business entrusted
to Ms care.
November :18, 11357.
DR. G. W. DILLPFLIN,
TIENTIST, Locust street, a few doors above
J../ the Odd Irenowo Hall, Columbia,Pa.
Colitmltia, Nay 3, /358.
H. - M. NORTH>
TTORNEY ND COUNS LOA AT LAW.
Columbia. Pa.
Collections,promptly made,inLanetEtteranel Yorl
3ountiep.
Columbin.lllny 4,1550.
J. NV- FISHER,
Attorney and Counsellor at Law,
Ccauara.l3ia, W'ab.
Columbia, scot:maicr o, lo:as tl
§. - Atlee Dinkins, D. D. S.
Dna aricKs the Operative. Surgical and Meehan
./ ieal Department. at - Dentistry.
I.eeuat.4eet, het ween the Franklin Ifou , e
and Po‘t Office, Columbia, Pa
May 7. tris9
TOBACCO.
AT HENRY PFAIILER'S,Locust street. opposite th e
Trunkful House, can he had Chili LEAF, CON
and several other bruit& of the beat Chewing
Tobacco. to which the attention 'of chewers is invited.
May 4, ISM
TMI'ORTED (Celtlo.l Double Extract.,
fur the ltunaerthlet, ut
II Anuy GREEN'S,
Feb. J. 'SD. Oppo•ltc Cola. Bridge. From St.
BROOMS,---100 Doz. Brooms, at Wholesale
or Reinel.at. 11. I'FAIII.I.IIVS.
Dec 12. IS:17 Lneu.t .oreet.
SINE'S Compound of Syrup of Tar, 'Wild
Cherry and lloailiound t for the cure r.f Cough,
Colds, Whooping Cough. Crinip.fee. For sale at
McCORKLE & DELLF.7I"S
Armily Medicine Store, Odd Fellow , ' Mil
October ga, 1;45.3.
Patent Stearn Wash Boilers.
Tii CSC' well Miowil Boilers are lirpt c Ol 011 ,0 0,
y ,
hand at It ENIlt V I'VA 111,KW8,
I,fleu.o ol reel. oppoaue 110 Pranklin [louse.
Columbia, July 18, 18.i1%
Gets for sale by the bushel or larger q
Vim). by D. F. APPOLL),
Oolumb ia Dec 25, 1255. Canal Bain.
TOBACCO and &Tars or the best brands,
whoie,,ule and retail, at
13RITNRR'4
11:ST n trosli lot of Breoog &I'rnufie W'
el celebrated Vogeta•de Cattle Powder. nod for sale by
It- WI 1. 1 .1. A. US,
Front street, Co; utoltia
Sept. 17,-1559
Soap.
Boxe4 ornunn•y Brown Soon on hand nod frr
onto low ot tie Canter of ' Shard and Union Sts.
A ugust G. 1.859.
•
Suffer no longer with Corns.
A T „,l h .:;Vi ' e ld ,ll,l ( l ° ,T.: ' s r v p ar r r:l g ured ir t e o e o n u io e v a u " C P a r t a ti c" fi e ,
41 hours, without Nun or corencss.
Ply Paper.
A ion p r rvß es nrec i nf . l7l u ) . ..Prz , r t ,
T fo: ce ttr i l e a -i t r t u i r .e -
Drug tOrc of
R WILLIANIS, Front , treat,
Columbia, July 30.1859.
Harrison's Columbian Ink
WtIICII is a .aperior article. permanently brad:
and ant earn:Ming the pen, eats be had to arts
iuuntsty. at the l'uttaly Nledteate Store, and blucher
)et I. that Engll2ll Itnnt
Columbia. Jane 9.laa
On Hand.
RSAVINSI.ONS" . ., Itisig Syrup. wbirli twill
LII grently fasilitate the pruees. of temlung by re
duel otr, i Animation. otlitynts pale. aei ton,
.fec., in very_ short time. For Rik.
R. WiLLIAMS,
fzept.l7,lSs 9.
ROBING & CO'S Russia Salve! This es
treelely popular remedy for the cure Or exiernul
ailments is now for ,ale by
R. WILLIAMS-Front at, Columbia.
aept.24,11859.
SALT by the Sack or Bushel, and Potatoes
in lurge nr qunntitlet,for sale nt the Corner
lorTltild and Union ntreets. [Jan. 8. ltid.
rR - ANG,pANN, Eziracts andßnnp; on everlanting
perfume. tit HARRY G REEN'S,
Feb. 10.'59. Opposite Coln. Bridge. Front St.
CISTERN PUMPS.
TITS subscriber bus a large stock of Cistern ramps
nod Rams. to which he calls the attention of the
public. lie Is prepared to put them up for use In a
substantial and enduring manner.
11. PFAIII.F.R,
December 12,1857. Locukt street.
FANCY TOILET SOAPS.
finest otoorimentv.tf Fancy Toilet doers, ever
4. otreve'd to Colombians, at
• HMI GRFIEN , S.
;Feb 10, 'SO. Opporite Cola. Midge, ' , root St.
IC C ren " ST.Ex W „ A a T ero R to b r Y ien e Iro in n l ia u r n e r h l ie o f ' by
unee or pound, or in any quantity to •nit purchalier's
• o HAMM GROOM . ..
:•aireb. ID, nppo.ite Colu. Bridge. Front St
-Zust Received and For Sale,
9n ilble..Gronnd Planer t 50 F.xtro. Family
UV Flour; Itt. No. 1 Lord 011 of best quality:,
'WU btu. Ground Alum salt, by
11. r. APPOT.D,
'Manch Id. "a. No. 1 andu C.mni Ra.in.
-FEMUR'S Zdcbiated Black and Green Teas,
Batmen Cocoa and Chocolate, at Corner of rand
and Union weals. [Nov. VS. 'At
,r4Litlild, or, Bond's Boston Crackers, for
A.... 11 Dyspeptic*, and arrow Root Cracker., for mi.
-valids and rilildien—new articles la Colambla, et
'the Fatal's. Medicine Store,
April 16. 1849.
NEW CROP SEEDLESS RAISINS.
T HE best for Pies, Pudding, fresh supply st
IL I.lYitAWct
Grocery Store, Corner Front and Union go
Noy- 19.1E159.
Seedless Raisins!
AtArr of very choice tlemdle‘a Goi.ing,jcuit received
at F.N'S
Nov-19. vs. Grocery Siore. No 71. I.aeowt
Turku& Prunes!.
FOR a first sate articled Prows roe Mel No JO
S t. EttEitt.ElN'S
Noe 10,1959. - Grocers' &ere, No. It Locos at
SHAKER CORN.
j - u Sit received, Om rate lot of Shaker Corn, at
U. Stilt DO RIV
Grocery Starr, rooter Front and 4.talott .t.
1Y39. .
Vt(tterii.
"Our French Friend."
"11'.. coining, i, her quoth our John,
DM
' I've heard that talk before , —
And then hie eyes fell straight upon
His stick behind the door
"I wonder if %would suit our friend_
(John's Ince was rather grim)
For me to save his corning here,
Hy going there to him"
"Because you know, old girl,') pays be,
Pm hearty. strong and hale,
And I'd be all the better for
A little bit of sail.
I fancy, too, be thinks Pm not
Quite sound in wind or limb.
I've really quite a thought, old girl,
Of going there to him.
;038
7:,
"13esides, you know, I shouldn't be
A stranger to the way,
I visited the spot before
Itt Bonyparty's day.
That very stick I took with me—
lt karn't grown more slim;
I swear. old gal, I'm half inclined
To go across to him.
9 hate to give a gentleman .
More trouble there's need,
And crossing water makes our friend
Uncommon cross indeed.
And if, as these here letters say,
To meet me is his whim,
Why, dung my buttons, Mother Bull,
I'lt go across to him.
"Slayhap he'd like. to have a crack
About old days gone by,
I,:gypt, and Spam, and Trafalgar,
I f would. so would I.
Abort those days I rather think
Ilia memory's getting dim.
And that':‘ another reason, dame,
Why I should go to him,
"There'. Master Jack may mind the house,
I'm glad he's bought a gun,
It he don't keep you safe and sound,
He's not his lather's son.
So fill a snug, our friend's good health,
Yen, fill it to the brim;
If he'll but nay he means to come—
By George I'll go to him:'
The Shadowy Kiss.
Two deep buy windows lit the room
In which we watched the evening gloom;
In this myself and Lucy sat,
Pater and maiden aunts in that;
The gas light on the nags below
And on our ceiling (Met a glow.
Whiie Piece mid ltio coterie
Tolk'd matters parliamentary•;
Or rurd, with solemn shake of head.
Hove prodentty the young, should wed,
lit my committee I said, , This,
My dearest, ig the time to kiss:',
Lured by the shadowy hour and nook
The proffeed pledge .be coyly look;
When. Jot by our unlucky Into
Iu silhoueue, our te:e-a•tete,
Noses and pouted lip= were all
Ob'lgoe!y shadowed on the wall'
So. when the footman brings ill tea,
Sombre are they. and scarlet We;
The lamp has prematurely shown
A truth we bud not dared to own:
Small thanks to light untimely east,—
And yet thin tiles was not our lac!
[Once a• Week
gEtfaiDlU.
Aunt Janet's Diamonds
MEMTBE
My aunt, Josiah, Mr. Chapman, and Lu
cy were in the room; the officer had been
sent down stairs. "The diamonds were in
the safe after all," said my aunt to me the
moment I entered. "The officer, on pulling
the drawer right out, found them in the
space behind the back of the drawers and
the safe. He says that as the drawer was
crammed full, the case must havegot hitched
against the cover of the dr.,wer, and when
the drawer was pulled out the case fell be
hind it, and so got pushed back by the
drawer."
I could see vindicative triumph in Jo
siah's eyes. "And now," said my aunt, "I
have got to perform an act ofjustice towards
Lucy. She has been wrongfully accused of
stealing these diamonds. , Under ordinary
circumstances I should have felt that no re
paration which I could make would be too
great; but she met the accusation with an
infamous story—a story which, no doubt, she
had originally trumped up for tho purpose
of gaining the good will and assistance of a
person who should have been above listen
ing to such wicked insinuations."
My nurtes words were positive torture in
my ears.
"However," continued my aunt, "if Lucy
will sign a paper, declaring that story ut
terly false, I will, on my part, buy her bro
ther off from the army, give her a clear
year's wages, and, as far as I dare in jus
tice, not concealing what has occurred, give
her such a character as may gain her a re
spectable place. Mr. Chapman will draw
qpt the statement."
There was a dead silence while Mr. Chap
man was writing; I raised my eyes to look
at Lucy. The girl was evidently so entire
ly unhinged by what had occurred. that she
seemed quite uncouscious that the matter
on hand concerned her.
"Now, Lucy," s Mr—Chapman, brisk
ly, "sign this."
"Rend it to her first," exclaimed my mint.
"But it is not a lie, sir, indeed," staid Lu
cy, faintly, interrupting Air. Chapman as
he read.
Mr. Chapman paid no attention to her,
but rend on to the end
•'Now," said he, "we won't argue the
question of it's being a lie or not that would
be an uttor foss of time, for every person of
common sense must be convinced that it is.
If you sign this paper you obtain the advan
tages your mistress has offered; if you re
fuse, you leave this house a beggar, without
BEE
MEM
"NO ENTERTAINMENT IS SO CHEAP 'AS REA.DING, NOR ANY PLEASURE SO LISTING."
COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA, SATURDAY, MORNING, JANUARY tB, 1860.
a character. Choose;" and he offered her e
"Lucy!" I cried involuntarily.
The girl turned and looked at me with
unmeaning gaze.
"Silencel" said my aunt to me in a severe
tone; "don't you interfere with her."
Mr. Chapman was whispering to Lucy.—
From what I overheard it was evident that
he merely attributed her hesitation to an
obstinate persistence In her story.
But I could not keep silence. I had been
forced to speak against Josiah npon strong
conviction. I should never have felt con
vinced of my mistake if r thought the girl
had signed the paper from mercenary mo
tives.
"Lucy," said I, "listen to me. The ques-
tion is, was Mr. Josiah with you in the
garden the evening before the dinner, or
not! They say it was your interest to de
clare he was; it is now clearly your interest
to deny it. Lay aside the wretched question
of interest, and speak the truth. You will
have to speak the truth one day. It is bet
ter to speak it now, though it makes you
beggar, than speak it hereafter with shame
and remorse."
I could see how agitated the girl was; pain
of irresolution flushed her face; she abrupt
ly left Mr. Chapman and came to my side.
"I won't sign it!" she exclaimed. "I did
speak the truth."
My aunt was the first to recover from the
surprise which my conduct created. She
rang the bell; the butler entered. "Pay that
girl," said she, "a month's wages, and turn
her out of the house. Mind, she leaves this
house not a thief, but a liar."
"My courage bad ebbed away with the
words I had addressed to Lucy; I sank into
a chair overwhelmed with an intense feeling
of moral exhaustion; then my aunt, in the
bitterest words, upbraided me for the opin
ion I persisted in entertaining about Josiah.
She would insist upon it, notwithstanding
all my assurances, that I had eagerly caught
at the girl's story in the hopes of undermin
ing Josiah's character, but the scheme had
failed—the blow had fallen on my head.—
She called upon Mr. Chapman to witness
her words: "Not one penny of her fortune
should be mine; henceforth I should work
for my bread as a governess, an I cease to
be an inmate of her house." Suddenly re
collecting herself, she drew Mr. Ifuntly's
letter from her pocket. "There," said she,
the sooner you answer that, the better. Now!
this evening! go, and say are a beggar, and
see it he will care for you."
I was very angry—indignant at her cruel
challenge. I !poke at random. "I will go"
said I, and I left the room. I was far too
excited to think. t put on my bonnet,
hurried down stairs, and. shut the hall
door after me. Whither?—to Mrs. lluntly's—
but—? I began to think as I tarred on
the door-step, and looked forth on the com
mon, the old home scene, so familiar, years
and years I had looked out upon it from my
bed-room window. The sun was beginning
to set as I lingered on the doorstep; the
whole scene was bright and warm, but it
chilled me through and through. The feeling
of home was gone--I felt I was face to face
with the cold hard world. Then doubt and
desolation came upon me. If my aunt had
been alone I would have returned, and
swallowed my words, and prayed on my
knees to be taken back; but I thong/ ft of
Josiah's triumph—l dare not face that; and
I turned away, and left the house.
I shall never forget the cruel doubts which
beset me in that short walk to Mrs. Hunt
ly's, the sad possibilities which thronged
my brain; not that I doubted of his love,
but I knew be was not rich; he might have
looked for something on my part to enable
us to marry. At the very least, I was throw
ing myself on his generosity, not only ac
cepting, but seizing eagerly at his offer, as
a drowning wretch clutches at a straw.—
Then my circumstances were so totally
changed since the offer was made, that my
pride revolted at the idea of forcing him,
out of honor, to take me as his wife. The
idea of going to Mrs. lluntly's, which, on
the spur of the moment, hal appeared per
fectly natural and proper, began to seem
nothing short of utter boldness and impu
dence.
am sure I must have given it up, and
gone tack humbly to my aunt's, had he—
Mr. nuntly—not overtaken me on the com
mon; he only bowed, and would have passed
on (he said afterwards ho thought he had
no right to address zoo till his letter was
answered.) I spoke his name only very low,
but he caught it, and turned. I felt terri
bly frightened, and could scarcely speak,
but this was only at first; a few words from
him, and doubt was over, and he took me
home to his mother.
Mrs. Mundy was very kind to me; she
called me from the very first her daughter,
listening with a mother's sympathy to all
I had to say. I was to call their house my
home; and in a very short time it really was
my own home. We were married as speedily
as arrangements would permit.
I did all in my power to obtain my aunt's
forgiveness, but in vain. The day after I
was at Mrs. Iluntly'e, my wardrobe, and
evrything I possessed, were sent to me, but
no letter or message; and though I wrote
very often, I received no reply. This was
the only drawback to my happindes. Though
Mr. Huntly's income was small, it was
quite sufficient for every, comfort. He was
BO thoughtfully kind; he bought Lacy's
brother out of the army, and Lucy, poor
girl, Mrs. Handy took at once into her ser-
vice and she never left us till sho went away
to be married many years afterwards:
I had been married three ritonthS, and I
had never even chanced to meet my aunt in
my walks, but I heard of her from time to
time from mutual friends.
One day intelligence was brought me that
he was seriously ill—a paralytic seizure.—
In the greatest anxiety I hastened to the
house; the doctor's carriage was at the door.
I asked how my aunt was. The butler said
she was very ill. Could I see her? The
man he had strict orders to refuse me ad
mittance.
"Whose orders?" I inquired.
"Mr. Josiah's," was the reply. I was re
flecting upon what I had better do, when
the doctor came down stairs. Ho had al
ways been a very kind friend of mine.
"I'm so glad you are here," said he; "I
think it might do your aunt good; she has
mentioned your name several times."
He begged to have a few words with me
in the dining room.
"But I'm refused admittance."
"Mr. Josiah's orders, sir," said the but
ler, puzzled what to do.
"'l'll be responsible," replied the doctor,
and I followed him into the dining-room.
The docter did not disguise from me that
it was a most serious attack. It was ngreed
that I should enter my aunt's room as if
nothing had occurred between us, and busy
myself with the general arrangements.
My aunt's face did brighten up when I
approached her, and she smiled faintly.—
was very distressed to see her in so sad a
condition. I was an the point of referring
to the past, and begging her forgiveness,
but the doctor drew me back and motioned
me to be silent.
My presence and attentions seemed to
cause my aunt so much satisfaction that t he
doctor expressed a strong wish, if possible,
that I should remain and nurse her. I
could sleep on the sofa in the room. He
feared that my services would not be very
long required. I was so very glad to be of
any comfort to my aunt that I readily
agreed to the proposition; then I recollected
about Josiah, and reminded the doctor of
the peculiar circumstances in which I was
placed. He promised me that I should
have no annoyance or anxiety on that score.
was thus fully established as chief nurse.
My first meeting with Josiah was not nearly
so embarrassing as I had .feared; ho was
certainly cold and distant in his manner,
but lie expressed himself very please 3
that my aunt should have me with her;
nevertheless, I heard afterwards that the
unfortunate butler who had admitted me
was peremptorily dismissed.
At the first, when my aunt was so ill and
helpless, Josiah came very little into the
sick-room; but as scam as she grew better,
and began thoroughly to regain her con
sciousness and the use of her limbs, he was
in and out of the room all day. On the plea
that I should be over-fatigued, he wanted
me to let the nurse sleep in the room. I
would not consent to this: I said, that as
my aunt was so accustomed to my nursing,
I knew she would never like anybody else
with her. He was very reluctant to forego
his proposal. The nurse slept in the bou
doir, and I observed that she became fur
more active and attentive in the night than
she had been during the worst of . the illness.
If I got up ever so softly to go to my aunt's.
bed, she was sure to t ue in the room; and
more than that, the sligntest movement al
ways brought Josiah tapping at the door to
know if we wanted anything.
My aunt was so pleased with Jusiales at
tentions, she would call out as loud as she
could: '.Thank you, Josiah; you go to bed;
it's nothing, Josiah."
I remember wanting to send a note home;
there was no ink in my aunt's inkstand, so
I asked the nurse to get some. She left the
room, and Josiah presently came in with
his own inkstand and placed it before tae.
I wrote my note, which he undertook to
send, and then he carried his inkstand off
with him.
Somehow I could never get any ink kept
in my aunt's inkstand, and whenever I in
quired for ink, Josiah was sure to come in
to the room. I soon discovered that every
movement of mine was closely watched; but
it was all done so cleverly and naturally,
that I had not a word to say.
One morning, Josiah was sitting in the
room with my aunt and myself, I had been
up several times in the night, and was in a
sort of a half-doze, when I beard ray aunt
address Josiah in a low tone:
"She has been very good to me during my
illness, giving up her time so entirely.—
You feel that, Josiah, don't you?"
"Yes, aunt."
"Then, Josiah, forgive her, fur my sake."
"For your sake, aunt, I do forgive her."
"You hear that?" said my aunt to me,
"Josiah forgives you."
"Flom the bottom of your heart—say so,
Josiah."
"From the bottom of my heart," echoed
Josiah; "but I could see the scowl on his
face as be spoke.
"I Must do something for her," continued
my aunt.
"0 aunt!" exclaimed Josiah, starting from
his seat and coming to the bedside, "haven't
I been always affectionate and attentive,
and dutiful? Did I marry against your
commands? Did I spurn your kindness?"
"You have been very good, Josiah—very
good," replied my aunt.' "I only want to
do iome little thing for her, because she
has been so attentive daring this illness."
My pride was aroused, and but for fear
of over-exciting my aunt, I should have de
clined any return for doing what was mere
ly my duty.
"I can't give her any money; I've sworn
not," said ray aunt, addressing Josiah.
"You did swear it," lie replied very de
liberately; "i%fr. Chapman was witness."
"But there are the diamonds, Josiah."
"What! your own diamonds, aunt," said
be, "which you have always worn?"
"They're net money, Josiah."
"But she married out of the fan.ily.—
Your diamonds go to strangers!"
I could not endure this. I begged my
aunt to let Josiah have the diamonds.
"She shall have the diamonds!" said my
aunt peremptorily. "Go and get them, Jo
siab;" and with some difficulty, she took off
her neck the key of the drawer.
Josiah, much to his discontent, was forced
to obey, he went to the boudoir and brought
in the diamonds, which he placed on the
bed.
I was so dreadfully afraid of some scene
taking place, which I knew would be very
prejudicial to my aunt, that I was greatly
relieved at the doctor being announced.
"Thera," said my aunt, pushing the case
towards me with great effort, "I said they
should be yours the first day I bought them
if you were a good girl—you have been
very good during this illness; take them;
and do what you like with them."
"One word." said Josiah, speaking to me
"never forget that those were once Annt
Janet's diamonds, which she bought years
ago. They are very precious to me. If
you ever desire to part with them, or even to
modernize the setting, let me know. I will
strive to scrape money together to give the
full worth as they stand now."
Poor Aunt Janet! she little knew what
she was doing when- she gave me those
diamonds.
The doctor was quite 'right; my services
were not required very long; another sei
zure took place; and after lingering a few
days, my aunt died. The whole of the prop
erty was left to Josiah, with the reservation
that if he died witiv.nt children, the land
was to go to my eldest son.
Of course, we kept up no intercourse with
Josiah; but I heard quite enough of his go.
ings-on to show that I had formed a true
estimate of his character. As soon as he
came into his wealth, he began to lead a
very wild and dissipated life.
When I placed the diamonds in my hus
band's hands, I told him that Aunt Janet
had given me the option of parting with
them, which, if ho thought advisable, I
should be very happy to do, as I felt our
circumstances would not permit of my
wearing them. tie would. not listen to my
proposal; he was not pressed for money, he
said, and in a few years I might be fully
entitled to wear them.
Ab! my love, I am so glad that you are
not going to marry a man on that horrid
Stock Exchange; I am sure the dreadful
anxiety I have undergone about Mr. Hunt
ly. In these days he was without the ex
perience which be now possesses, and at a
time when business was very dull, he took
to speculating on his own account, and on
behalf of others who were very cunning and
plausible. It seemed that ho was success
ful at first, and I used to be quite surprised
at his elation of spirits. One day he came
home sadly downcast; he had had very
heavy losses, chiefly through the villainy of
a client, whose debts my husband was
bound to make good. tie feared it would
be necessary for me to part with the dia
monds. Of course I was only too glad to
think that we yet possessed the means of
setting things to rights.
According to my promise, I resolved at
once to write to Josiah, and offer hint the
diamonds; and we agreed that I had better
ascertain their value front an experienced
jeweler, and so mention a sum in the letter.
Taking Lucy as an escort, I went off the
next morning to a very old established jew
elers at the top ef the Strand, where Mr.
Handy's family had dealt for many years.
I gave the ease into the hands of the
chief partner of the firm, who happened to
bo in the shop, and asked him to give me
some idea of the market value of the stones.
He made a very careful examination.
"I suppose, ma'am," said ho, "you arc
aware that these are not diamonds?"
I said, with great warmth, that they had
belonged to an aunt of mine, that they
were bought at —'s.
"Fxcuee me, ma'am," he replied; "they
could not have been sold for diamonds; but
they arc perfect imitations; at first I %Vas de
ceived by them myself."
"Why," I replied, in a state of the great
est excitement, "I was present years ago,
when they were bought—l know 'they are
diamonds,"
"You hare asked my opinion," said the
jeweler kindly, ''and I am very gory to un
deceive you. The proof is very simple; I
shall, if you will allow me, draw a file over
one of these stones; if the stone remains un
injured it is a diamond."
"Do itl" said I, with desperation: but, as
I spoke, I felt the man was right. We were
ruined—my husband compromised!
Crash went the file—tho stone was star
red: I looked for a moment, and fainted.
When I cants to myself, Lucy was 'attend
ing to me.
"Mr." Josiah," she whispered in my ear.
"What?" mid T, dreadfully confused.
"Ire took them that night; I know he
did."
$ll5O PER YEAR IN ADVANCE; $2,00 IF NOT-IN - ADVANCE
The shop people were about us; I bade
her be silent. We regained our coach, and
returned home. I felt convinced that Josi
ah had changed the diamonds. Ah! me! it
was weary and sad waiting as that day
dregged slowly on, and Mr. Huntley was so
late. When he did come home he was far
calmer than I had expected.
"Thank God," said he, "I know the worst
of it—a thousand pounds will set things
straight. You told me your aunt gave more
than twelve hundred for the diamonds--"
"But—" said I, in a perfect agony.
"But what?" he exclaimed impatiently.
"0 Edward!" I replied, "the sooner I tell
you the better. They are not diamonds:
they are worth nothing."
I recounted the events of the morning.
I shall never forget the end of that day;
its utter hopelessness and despair; ny„and
the bitter days that followed close upon it.
Ilow to raise that thousand pounds? Why,
selling all we possessed at the price things
fetch at a sale, we knew would not realize
one half; and then my husband would stand
compromised fur the rest, a defaulter, with
his name posted up. I remember it was all
so sad, that I felt I was almost doin - g, wrong
to smile at baby as he laughed and crowed
in my arms. -
In the absence direct proof, my hue•
bath thought it was hopeless to do anything
with regard to Josiah; but I was determ
ined to hare Mr. Chapman's advice in the I
matter. That gentleman received me very
kindly. I found that Josiah had given him
serious offence with regard to some pecu
niary tranaection arising out of my nunt's
will. lie was greatly astonished when I
told him that the diamonds were false. Ile
confessed that, on after reflection, he had
been very much puzzled by Lucy's persis
tence in her statement; but if he had en
tertained any suspicions against Josiah, it
was of course nothing beyond the supposi
tion that Josiah, having asked the girl to
meet him, and fearing the affair had been
discovered, had endeavored to shift out of it . '
as best he mizht. The false diamonds
an entirely new: color to the transaitioti.,:-
The case would'itand thus--Jo'siah might
have fallen -into extravagances before My
aunt's dealt; indeed be i -,Mr:::Chapnaan,:httd
received pretty strong
,prbef!that such' was
the fact. Unwilling to confess. his delia
quencies, he bad sought some other mode-of,
extrication. Marriage with me
given him the immediate coniitettd-of money.
That failed. Theft - the atistraotion of the
diamonds. He knew that EnAltunt would
wear the diamonds on th , ollgsipf the din
ner party; Lucy is asked to.Mcetzhimat-the
end of the garden on that night;. be takes
care that she has the keys of -the press left .
for a time in her hands; the diamondiUre
missing; suspicion naturally falls on Litcyf:
Ten days have elapsed between the p:trty
and the loss of the diamonds being discover
ed; the diamonds are altered during •that.
period; and at the very last moment the
false stones nro cleverly deposited in a place
in which nineteen people out of every twen
ty would never dream of looking for them.
But all thi3 supposition, urged Mr. Chap
man, is worth nothing, unless we can get
hold of Josiah's accomplice in the affair.
Mr. Chapman very warmly pledged him
self to assist me, though he could not hold
out any strong hopes of success.
"In the first place," said he, "we must I
ascertain whether your aunt ever purchased
diamonds or not."
We found, on application, that the jewel
er's books showed that certain diamond or
naments had been sold to my aunt at the
price of thirteen hundred and seventy pounds.
Moreover, the late foreman, an old man,
who had since become a partner, was pre-
Paved to swear to their being diamonds.
In order to ncertain Josiah's cognizance
of the fraud. Ur. Chapman directed me to
write to my cousin; and he sketched out a
letter which stated that my circumstances
obliged me to part with the diamonds, and
according to my promise, I gave him the
first offer at the price illy aunt bud original.
ly paid.
To my surprise, Josiah sent an answer
almost by return of post. The letter was
written in his usual hypocritical style; he
deplored the necessity of my parting with
the diamonds, but be was truly obliged to
me for not forgetting his request. lle be
leived that diamonds had lately risen in
value; and he thought the fairest plan would
be that the diamonds should be taken to his
jewellers', and ho would direct them to give
me the highest market-price; my own jew
eler had orcourne better he consulted.
knows all about it," said Mr. Chap
man, reading the letter, "or he would not
have made such a proposal."
"But," said I impatiently, "how will this
avail u. The auctioneer is now in our
house."
"Have faith, madam," he replied; "1 am
acting under the advice of a very clever de
tective."
Josiah did not communicate with me ngain
but he wrote to the auctioneer, commission
ing him to bid any fair aunt at the sale.
I confess I had given up all hopes of suc
cess; but on the very evening of the day on
which the sale took place, while we were
anxiously waiting for the auctioneer's ac
count of the proceeds, in came Mr. Chap
man, exhibiting as much glee as his dry le
gal face would permit. 111
"Josiah's bought the diamonds?" ho es.
elsinsed.
"What! the paste?"
[WHOLE NUMBER 1,536.
I "No. Jusiah's not such a fool as to give
ten thousand ponnds for paste,"
We believed that Mr. Chapman must price
been suddenly bereft of his senses; but . he
proved his words by a check of.: his own
banker's for eight thousand pounds; a:n(1
' further than that, ho placed in my hands n
j little box containing Aunt Janet's veritable
•
diamonds.
This was Mr.' Chapman's story. It had
been arranged that the false-diamonds
should be on view with thereat of the effects;'
but they were to be placed under a glass
case, and the detective, as an auctioneer's
man in charge, was to watch unrioWly alt
the people who came to view them: It, was
also agreed, on any person desiring a cloiCr
inspection, that the detective was to' make
excuses about the key of the case having'
been mislaid. Several people, evidently''
dealers in jewelry, had grumbled a great'
deal at only being able to see the diamendi
through the glass, but nobody had expressed
a doubt as to their being real. At kst two
men came in together, and while the one
was complaining aboUt the key, the other,
at a glance, told his companion that it did
not matter: he knew they were only paste.
Hew could that man be certain at a glance
that the stones were paste?
The detective motioned to Mr. Chapman,
who was standing near. M. Chapmaii
went up to tlto man, and drawing him aside,
told him that ha was quite right; the dia
monds were only paste, and it would ho
worth money to any yorson who could say
how they came to be battto.
By dint of clever examination, and prom
ises of reward, the mnn confessed that he
had made those very imitation stones him
self! When? Somewhere' about two - years
before. For whom? Well, he didn't mind
saying that—the fellow was lately dead=-
Benson, the Jew money-lender, who often
employed him for that sort of job. On
whose behalf was Benson acting? All
Benson kept his affairs very close; but it
did happen there wits - a 'great press at the
!end to got this work done; and when ho'
'took it home to Benson's, ho huiried atone()
into the private office, and there' was the
gentleman, all impatient •to get possession
of fulse stones. Benson '..was angry
with him for ooming'into• the — office. He
never found out the geritlrnan'ajticnit;;''be4
he was certain he should ltitiw'hirri:tignin. -
i.W•—the• diamonds?' Yes; lies" sahcied ''lie
kn'ew where the diamonds Wereftlitiritithad
not been broken up; they were in the hands
of a man who wanted a long- pribedia
mends wore rising in the market;:the wian'
could bide his time.
"Now," said Mr. Chapman; '"that gentle.
man you-chanced' to see is wary anxious to
:get those diamonds back again;Ae . will giira
!the man his own price for them if they are
hronglit to my office to•morront, morning,
and something handsome to you in the-bar
gain."
The man agreed:: AirstQbar man wrote t
Josiah, making an appointmeiit.for the fol.
lowing morning, at elocsa" &Oink, respect
ing some executor business.-
The maw duly arrived at the 'office kith
the diamonds, and Mr. Chapman' had them
inspected by nu experienced jeweler, who
declared that they were genuine; artir that
they exactly corresponded with the original
setting.
Josiah kept the appointment.
I can almost see Mr. Chapman before me
now as he described his interview with Josi
ah. His features never lea their ,eadate
business aspect, but his small gray _eyes
twinkled with waggish exultation.. -
Josiah was very ill-tempered, rude,-about
some proposal of Mr. Chaprattn'esespouting
my aunt's affairs.
"You are nu ungrateful fellow, Josiah,"
said Mr. Chapman; 4 'l'm always' doing
what I can for you. I heardithatYotiVors
very anxious to get hold of your aunt's dia
monds."
"Yes," replied Josiah; "I told the auc
tioneer to bid for me: but he says th'ofre dia
monds have turned out to bin sham."'
"That's just it, Josiah; I t;ave,given my
self all the pains in the world to get the real
oiaes fur you."
"Fidllestieks:"
"Fact. They were in the hands of st Mr.
Benson. (Josiah turned deadly pale.)
find that person is dead; Lot rye n young
, man in the next office who was employed by
Mr. Benson; he anys ho once snw a gentle
; man in Mr. Benson's ulfice—z." '
I am very much indebted to yon for your
trouble," exclaimed Josiah, kith the deep
est of scowls on his countenance; '•k AXonly
t•to glad to get my poor aunt'a diamonds.--
What am I to pay?"
"Ten thousand poundp:7 -replied Mr.
Chapman sery deliberately. (Josiah.made
use of very strong or.preetions.) Perlmp,
1 you don't think they are genuine.'t said
Mr. Chapman. "Shall we bare the young
man in?"
'•1'll give the money," ssid Josiah. has-
'•Write n check,"
"1 have not so much money .atarby bank-
er's."
You forgot,• , said Mr. Ci.zeptnats, •that
the money for that estate is lodged , at your
banker's, pending the completion of •tho
purchase It will just *nem." .
JoslaH 'wrote the check. "Corse you,"
be exclaimed, as be gave it-to Mn. Chap
.
mom.
"You ought to say thank yen, Josiab.:—
I'm auto I're taken a deal of trouble fo
10