New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-01-04
THE STORY OF A RING.


more assiduously to the pursuit Of a single
idea, than Farquharson Leisler, during the fall
OF 1869 and the winter of 20. And yet, while
the fact was apparent, the cause was so OBJ
scure that men could do little more than specu-
late regarding it, aud, in default of actual
evidence, circulate innumerable and extraord-
nary surmises.
Not many of his friends pretended to any
acquaintance with his inner life. | think that
among them all / was the only one who had
any such knowledge. | knew him, not as one
may know another from casual intercourse or
Indifferent conversation, bat with a coincidence
of feeling and an identity of sentiment that is
often found among those who have grown up
together aud developed common sympathies
and impulses. We had been boys at the same
school, were in college together, and nov were
studying law in the same office.
His whole life was encircled by and bound
within the signet ring he habitually wore 1t
may seem an extravagant or rather frivolous
assertion but it was a fact, though none but
myself knew it as such.
The article in itself was peculiar enough to
excite any degree OF interest. lie wore it on
the fourth inger of the left hand, and derived
from its propretorship about as much misery
as any man ever gained from the possession of
any single object.
Without any decentralization or distortion OF
the stomach Of blue FISH which Leisler hauled
in from the waters of Jamaica Bay during a
fishing excursion summer before last. He had
been out all day with i'll success. In fact, he
had caught nothing and just making for the
inlet when his line, trolling through the water
attracted the attention of large specimen Of
the race and secured victim.
During such preliminary Investigations as
were necessary, the ring was found. How it
hah not t}aaro xvl,a had frnm wh af
were its antecedents, we did not know. The
fact of its existence and of its present purpose
was evident. Leisler appropriated it and placed
1T. with great satisfaction, upon the finger
aforesaid. The object was certainly Curl
osity. Apart from the singularity of its dis
covery and the uncertainty attending its previ-
Gus history, il possessed Intrinsic peculiarities
that entitled it to more than ordinary consider
alton. The ring was small, barely large enough
to tit Leisler's rather diminutive hand. A
broad, fat band of gold, surmounted by large
oval seal Of chrysoprase 1t had evidently seen
use, but when or how, under what circum-
stances was a profound mystery. On the face
OF the stone were number of almost imper-
ceptibie scratches, apparently the result of
some injury, and regretted by Leiser as inn
pairing the value and beauty Of the object
The ring was certainly an antique and, though
advertised, found no owner.
About q month or six weeks after the dis.
covery, l began to notice a change in my
friend. His manner seemed distracted, dis
trait, and troubled while the blithe, light
hearted look he bad habitually worn gave place
to a wearied, cherries expression. AT the
same time he became unusually reticent, avoid
ing conversation, particularly of q personal
nature, and was continually absorbed in the
perussl of an old volume that appeared from
some recess of bis desk, and which presented
fn<xa - - L
his reflections, confident that time would de-
velop their character. And the days passed
by, working the more and lie the less, and
exhibiting with the neglect an increasing devo-
ton TO the musty old tome.
One morning he closed the book, with the
tired look that the last few weeks had taught
me to know, and resting his head upon his
hand, looked up as though about to speak.
He twirled the ring upon his finger as he asked,
with melancholy smile:
"Rch, are you supersttious 2
looked at him in surprise. The possibility
of bis being affected by such considerations
had never occurred to me. | replied
"a Not in the least my dear fellow, are your"
He unused for a minute. as he looked at the
ring, and said:
I'm sure l don't know I didn't use to be-"
"What on earth, then, has brought it 10
your mind, now?" l inquired with curiosity
and there.
WELL" he said, slowly at first, as though
arriving at conclusion, not that | believe
in any of the trash we read about manifesto
tions and mediums and the like. j haven't
seen any ghosts, or been in any trance but
between this Internal ring and this abominable
book, don't know what 4 do believe. I'm
thoroughly mixed" And he looked al me az
though in uncertainty and doubt
IL ~ Ill ola I "a
know what evil spirit ever prompted me 90
look it up but I've done it. and found out my
fate. l won't trouble you much longer he
sighed.
Tell me all about it, Far" urged. " Let
me hear what II ~.
"Well," said he, Il don't know a. 10 will
afford you much comfort Or satisfaction, hut
you might as well learn. | got the ring. and
while wondering with you about lie origin. re-
membered an old book IA cur library tia,
father picked mp IN Europe, some med evsl
Italian chronicles. though, that perhap.
might there find what ! wanted. Heres ,hs
thing" aud he opened "a on the dssk before
me. IL was huge Volume. written Ia Log
lish, and a. the text and letter press Indicated
very old aud eorre-pondingly vsiashe.
Listen. Z" said he, a. b. proceeded &, fsai
"Aad IL bofel IN kasenna. that esFisln Ilns
was made yearly. % cas, into ths "a, thai
perchanee, the favor Of tae misht ~
gained. And fofasmuch ~ thls "a hsasrlfih
belong unto the elements. aay ens wha 90
take thereirom the offering shuali "a iaigsd
guilty Of death. nat u he sh.ali Sd sol
wear u unknosinrls. ~ - .sa'4 - a., 80 80.
..::=,, :. ..- winds and wases. sud ihls shoald
surely befsll him. Now, ,he fins was ~ pure
gold, very smsll az ior br,ls, aad ser, hfvsd
sor a protection. The same dad have an osai
shield Of green stone oycrlaid Nth lsyet ei
white, and was every year the same.
lie closed the book and looked ., zee IN
silence This then MAS his mystery. ] sn
deavored 10 disappro,e the statements "a ssd
their reliability referred han bespesitions ~
similar fctions, aud appealed l., his fsason snd
jad gnent. hut 90 no purpose,
mo" said se, 81 should be glad enough q
think with YOU, aud accept your views. beat
cant do IT, l avn not ordinarily supefssitieus.
or even susceptible. hut lopk ~ 'ha hHia Vi
circumstances hss. ,a,o.,sa. "a, issss, e.as.s
across that rare book altogether hy accident
lie buys IL at 80 eNtraVagant pfies. Tie is not
sn antiquarian or q collector AID -. sehts
slly. a frugal man. The book u hfenshi hrne
and is within my reach. ] God th,s rins -
the only 6sh catch during tho day, aud that
when am returning home, wiihou, exIec,a
ton or intention on my part. I have 10
knowledge that the article L. italian. ! have
never looked into the book. We, an led ~
consult TIE one with regard to the other, and
6ud there minute and particular Description
II the object. and more than that "a swtal
iutima,ion of the wsafers Fate. IL all this
mere chance, and am 90 regard u - saehf
eanae, believe II 90. an Repaired "