M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1861-02-28

been separated Tor one night, ana win
a heart which beat with high hopes
even amid the grief of parting, took
my place in the stage, and lett for the
first time, the home Of my glad child
hood.
In a month | had become accus.
toned to the separation, and thought
only Of my profession.
Medical students are generally y wild,
reckless, and dissipated. was nei-
ther. The discretion Of old age
seemed to have come suddenly upon
me. ksharea my comrades studies,
but refused to mingle IN their orgies,
for ] had deter mined to retain my
strong nerves and unshaken hand to
the last. Nevertheless | was a general
favorite, and formed many friendships
among the giddy band, which lasted
long after they had become gray
headed men. There was one among
the number whose name was Robert
Redlaw-a gay handsome boy he was,
full of fur and frolick, and terribly
addicted to practical jokes; but never
theless, kind, hearted and generous to
fault, for he would have given his
last penny to any one who seemed in
need OF it. To the living he was all
tenderness; to the wounded wretch at
the hospital, his hand was as soft as
any woman's; and | have seen his
eyes fill with tears while he inflicted
necessary pain, but to the dead he
seemed heartless "a lifeless body
being of no more value, in his eyes,
than the trunk of dead tree.
"Would you value your old violin
case3" he would say when any one re-
monstrated with him upon the subject.
1.-THE strings broken nay the instru'
ment destroyed--of what value is that
which was but formed for its protec.
tioni For my part, when my soul
has taken flight, / care not what You
do with this compilation Of flesh and
bones which now contain it." And
upon this principle he seemed to aci
involuntarily.
: One night--oh! how we'll remem
Der it--a cold black evening in mid
8 winter-I sat alone beside my fire, alb
? sorbed in meditation. The book haC
been reading lay beside me, upon thi
: table, and my candle burned low
: within the socket, for it was nearly ON
5 o'clock, although had not yet retired
! ! Suddenly was aroused by a lou'
d ringing or my door bell, and soCnC
g of Sard thrown against my windoV
a from without, and lighting anothe
, taper, descended and opened the door
, There, upon the steps, stood Rober
! Redlaw and four other fellow students
all the worst for liquor, and all in bois
J. ferrous spirits. "Let us in, old fellow,
t cried Robert. tive want to tell you 0
our lark. BY George! we've made
s night oft. Such punch as we've beel
$ having at Tom B--'s while yol
have been moping over your must,
4 books. You must 60 with us mex
timo." ........ .....
J. There was no use Of remonstrance
q and one by one, my unexpected visit
i ors mounted the stairs, and took thei
places around my tireeide. ..
$ 81 say, Bob frightened rs all aWhil
! ago." began one OF them after tenn
:, porary silence.
9 "HowG" | asked.
! 'How9' laughed Bob, why with thi'
8 And without another word Of preface
J. he drew folded 'kercAief from hi
9 pocket, and uniolded it, exhibited
8 human hand,
"Bob, where did this come froma
r asked, involuntarily drawing back
e step or two.
. "He took it from a grave which tn
}, rain had washed open," answered a tai
}, young fellow, turning away with
of shudder. "Cut it off with his knit
h as cody as he might a bit Of wooc
n although III swear sigh, or groan c
IS scream, or all Of them together, cam
e from the body when he first laid hi
n finger upon it."
d "Bahl" laughed Robert Redlav
O. "your ventriloquest tricks can neve
j. impose upon me. took the littl
81 hand in spite of them, and shall kee
h it. A pretty creature it must hav
<, belonged to. Look at the almonc
$. shaped nails, Greystock."
d "a woman's hand" raid, sane
e oh, Bob, there is Wedding ring upo
y the finger!" 4
ID $50 there is," said the boy, leanin
er across the table, $50 there is Strang
at that | did notice it before. Conn
i gentlemen, Greystock is IN a serior
is mood-let us leave him." And wral
a. ping his strange prize once more
:: the 'kerchief, my wild friend and h
a. companions departed. .t,
m Ispent the night'in restless dream
c. in all. OF which the pale little han
y which had been laid before me, plays
D. cons picuous part, and arose at da,