Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-08-30


denned my pants and stockings The lamp
turned low, aud grasping the old sabre, ap>
preached the door.
Sure enough, the noise was on the outside,
and knew a man was cutting a hole below
the strong large iron bar. The work accom-:
plished, he could insert his hand noislessly,
remove the bar and push the door OPEN
With heated breath and wildly beating heart,
l listened to the saving; the sabre was poised
| above my head and alongside the door,.
Palmer and palmer grew the noise, and at
last circular piece of the door was pushed
little inside when saw two fingers grasp
and pull it out. -
l waited for the insertion of the hand, for
| had determined to sever it with tho sabre.
had heard no noise outside, and had supposed
| the robber was alone. Not long did / wait,
however, for the temperance of tho hand
1t was thrust in, aud the fingers moved toward
the bar. l struck with all the strength ofmy
right arm. The robbers hand fell at my feet,
and the bleeding stump was quickly with>
drawn.
Then above the war of storm, which seemed
to increase every moment, l heard words, and
| a noise, as if person was forcing his way
through heavy drifts.
81 can never use my right hand again." I
have known that that stripping was armed,
Curse my folly"
/ picked up the severed member, aud ex-
amined it at the light 1 looked as If it be-
longed to a man iu the meridian of life, and
the little finger was encircled by heavy gold
ring, with a solitaire diamond setting. 1twas
a right hand, and the tip of tho thumb was
missing. 1 wrapped tho hand in cotton, laid
it in the desk, and replenished the fire, watched
| the door until, through the fatal opening,
saw limbs bending under their load of snow.
| l opened the door, but saw no tracks; it
had showed all night, and covered up ell
traces of the robber. When Devices came
-he always reached tho store half an hour
before Day did showed him the hole and
the hand. OF course he was astonished.
"By George, boy~ he exclaimed "your
fears were not grouudless. You may keep
that old sabre till it rusts-and from this hour
your wages stand increased"
OF course, boys, l was thankful because he
Knocked under to me and because my wages
were increased. Great search was made for
the robber, but he was not found, and re-
mained in possession of the ring and the hand.
Five years later, left Dalton, which had
not been disturbed by robbers since that me-
mortal night. l kept the robbers hand in
spirits for near fifteen years, when neglecting
it, it spoiled. and | buried it in my lot.
"But what did you do with the ring I"
asked tho traveller.
81 kept it. Nothing could have induced
mo to part with it."
"Would you not return it to the owner 7"
"Perhaps he did not come by it honestly
he was a robber, you know"
The travellers face flushed.
ale did, sill" he said.
"What do you know about the ring and tho
robber z" cried Dir. Worden.
ga good deal. Look there p and turning
up his sleeve, he displayed to our gaze hand
less wrist.
'Robberw % cried the ex-merchant and half
a dozen of our party.
"Yes, sill" said the stranger; ''robber once,
but thank God no longer one. The loss Of
my right hand reformed me. Oh, never shall
forget that night-my march through the
drifty snow to my companions in the suburbs of
dalton; how l was compelled Ito save my
life,) to hold snow upon the stump. While
my companions in crime were binding up the
wounded member, swore by my God, to for
| sake my calling. / have kept my oath" he
went on. az sought employment when the
wound had healed, and learning to use my left
hand, l was successful. / have amassed
wealth-wealth enough to enable me to spend
my remaining days in travelling for pleasure.
And now, my reiormer," he smiled, 81 would
ask you to return my ring"
"Did come by it dishonesty would NOT
make the request; but as there is God, did
not: 1t was my mothers. Upon her deaths
bed, one year before l fell into bad company,
she gave it to me, and told me to wear it al
ways. She placed it on my finger and l wore
| it through all my burglarious operations
Give me the ring, sir, and name your price -
Mr. Worden raised his hand, and We saw
the ring. 1t was very beautiful, and must
have cost not small amount Of money. Tho
merchant slowly drew it from his finger, upon
which it had glistened for twenty years, and
passed it over to its long lost OWDer. The
stranger drew out roll Of greenbacks.
| keep your money" said Mr.. Worden, "I
have enough of them. The ring is reparatiou
for the injury inflicted upon you"
al am sorry, sir, that you will not accept
the money" returned the stranger. IL value
this ring above riches. Come, let Us be
friends. Excuse my left hand" and laugh
ing, the two men grasped hands In a hearty
shake.
"And now, gentlemen, step up to the bar
and drink. Had not abandoned the habit
long ago, L would join you"
1--WE rose, approached the bar, and in q
bumper, drank the health of the stranger.
"Now, landlord" he said, "show me my
room. can enjoy sleep to night, for once
again posses that dear old ring. Goodnight,
gentlemen" We never learned his name.