"The Almighty created them to lie securely in their shells, or deep in
the caverns of the earth; for the rivers to wash them with sweet waters
or the lurid fire to shape them in the bowls of the mountains. The
beauties given us to enjoy are those upon which our eyes may light in
the woodlands or from the heights--the glory of the sunset, the
stillness of the sea, the thousand hues of a garden of flowers, or the
cascade as it falls from the mountain top. These things are common to
all, but the precious stone is too often for the neck or the fingers of
the harlot and the adventuress. No, sir, I shall retire from this
business and seek out some quiet spot where I can await with composure
the solemn moment of dissolution we all must face."
Ambrose was almost too astonished to speak.
"I admire your philosophy," he said at length, "but the fact is, that I
want a diamond ring and a rope of pearls and if----"
"Ah," said the old man interrupting him, "it is odd that you should
speak of pearls, for I have just been telling my partner here that
whatever he may do in the future, he will find pearls of little profit
to him.
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