Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-02-10
The Man with One Hand.

fairs, my father determined on MAKING me y
physician; and l was sent to Paris. that might
study profoundly profersion, which, in Con.
stantnople, is practised by mere quacks. Istay-
cd at Paris three years, and when returned
home found nv fathers shop closed. was
informed that he had been dead two months. |
found every thing in good order in the house.
hut all my fathers gold was gone. tried to es.
'ab'sh myself as a physician, bnt as could not
play the charlatan, and as was deprived Of all
protection BY the death OF my father, did not
succeed. To continue the business Of my father
vas DhpossH.n. as the shop had lost all .itsaens.
TONER'S So onezssaJ', vasslc yssAsesin 6 aver the
gloomy aspect or my prospects, II occurred to
me, that when | was staying in France, had
seen some of my countrymen travelling about
and offering for sale goods which were eagerly
purchased at high price, on account of their
coming from foreign country. My resolution
ras soon taken. sold my fathers house, Sc
lected the best of his goods, bought such other
articles as would be priced in France and en-
barked second time
had no sooner trave,sed the Mediterranean,
than found fortune was beginning to smile on
me- Our passage was short and happy. Wis.
tied the towns of France, and found ready
sale for my merchandize. had always II fresh
supply Of goods sent from Constantinople ; and
as my trade increased, and | had money in hand,
determined to venture on larger speculation
and 90 to Italy. must not omit to state, that
in addition to ny business, made my profession
avaiable Whenever entered new town. did
not fail to publish bills and advertisements that
was Greek physician; and often made as
much money by my pills and draughts, oils and
ungens, as by my shaws and handkerchlefs.-
| went to Florence where proposed making
longer stay there than usual, partly because
liked the town, and partly because wished to
repose for time from my wandering life.
myself in the double capacity of physician and
merchant. My shop was scarcely arranged,
when customers poured in; and though my
prices were rather high, sold more goods than
any other merchant probably on account of my
poiteness and civity A few days after my ar
rival was about to close my shop, and to exam
inc, as was my CUSTOM my stock of boxes OF
ungens, when found in one of them u little
note which felt sure had not. pat there.
nd fonnd int itatio TN Cn tho
following night at twelve o'clock to the bridge
called Ponte Vccchio. AS had no acquaintance
in Florence, naturally concluded that was 10
be conducted secretly to some patient and as
such case had often fallen in my way, deter
mined to 90; but as precaution, | put on
sword which had given me by my father.
A little before midnight, was at thc appoint
ed spot. The bridge was quite deserted, and
VIII, invited me there should appear. 1t was a
cold night. The moon was at The full, and
amused myself by looking down upon the rver'
the ripples of which silvered by the moonbealns,
were moving silently on raised my head and
behed tall man enveoped in red cloak, and
holding one of the corners so as to hide his face
was rather startled on finding him so close to
me; bu, quickly recovering asked what he
reqeired of me.
The red cloak threw piercing glance upon
me, and said in an abrupt tone,-
Follow me
felt rather uncomfortable at the idea of 60
ing alone with nan entirely unknown to me
therefore remained still.
Not so. sir sad Il want first to know
where am to follow you ?-and first OF all
want to see your face, that may Judge whether
you have any civil purpose or not
The man did not appear to pay any attention
to my remarks.
IF you will not follow Zalencos, remain, ht
answered and went away.
felt my anger rise.
do you Think exclaimed ''hat man like
me, will be the toy of fool? Do you think vii
have waited here for nothing this cold night? p
la a moment had reached him, and taking
nOIu OF HIS ClOuh WIFI Uu5 udIu dlO dpolS NY
sword with the other, | repeated my words
louder than before; but the cloak remained ir
my hand-the stranger had suddenly disappeared
round the corner. Thuugh was angry before
[ soon became calm by the possession Of the
CLOAK, which thought would give me some clue
by which might trace this singular adventure
to its origin. put it on my shoulders, ant
took ny way home. Just as | reached home
some man brushed close past me, and whispered
in French
Take heed, count, lhore is nothing to be
done this night
Before had tine to turn round and sec who
it was the man had passed, and could only see
his shadow diminishing along the houses. Tha
the words were addressed to the cloak, and moi
to me, had no doubt; but that circumstance
did not throw any light upon tho affair, and the
whole night was medilating what course tt
pursue The next morning examined the CLOAK
more closely. 1t was a rich velvet mantle, trim
med with valuable fur. and extensively embroi
dered with g,ld. The magnifcence of the man
tie suggested to me singular idea. l put it in
to my shop and exhibited it for sale, putting s.
high price upon it, that 1t was not very likel,
to find a purchaser. My reason Tor thus expos
ing the mantle was, 10 scan sharply any on.
who might ask for it for the stature of the un
known, which had clearly seen after the los,
of his cloak, was so deeply impressed upon IN,
mind, that should have known him out Of
hundred. The beauty of the cloak attraeted I
great many admirers, but no one resembling m,
stranger.
1t was getting near evening, when young
man who had often made purchases of me, camt
to the shop, and throwing down purse of ducatl
upon the counter, exclaimed,-