Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-05-09
LElSLEK'S FATE.

| suppose that never man lived
within a more contracted sphere, or de-
voted bis energies more assldOusiy to
the pursuit OF n single idea, than Far
quharsou Leisler, during the fall OF
1853 and the winter of 70. And vet,
wllle the fact was apparent, the cause
wa. go obscure that men could do httle
more than speculate regarding it, and
in d.flult Of actual evidence, circulate
iuuUlarabIe and extraordinary surm-
Uses,
Net mauy OF his friends pretended to
aur 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 an
other from casual intercourse or indif-
icuut conversation, but with coinci-
dcace of tecIiugaud anidentity of senti-
ment that is often found among those
who have grown up together and devel-
upeu common sympathics and impulses.
We had been boys mt the same school,
were in college together, and now were
studvlnP law in the same office.
His whole life was encircled by and
bound within the signet ring he habit
Ualy wore. II may seem an eXtrava-
CANT or rather iriyious assertion, but
it was q fact, though none but myself
knew il was such.
The article in itself was peculiar
enough b. excite any degree of interest
Ho wore it ON the fourth finger Of the
left hand, and derived from its prophet
urshlp about as much misery as any
man ever gained from thc possession of
amy simple object.
Without any circumiocution or dis
trtluu at realities, the article in qucs-
auu HaS found in the stomach Of a blue
isI NulcA Lclsler hauled IN from the
water of Jamaica Bay during a fishing
excursion summer before last, lie had
been ont all day with i'll success. IN
tact he had caught nothing, and was
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 ne
ceasorN, tine ring was found. How it
h0j got tuere whore 1t had come from
what were it's anteCedeuts, We did not
know The fact of its existence and OF
IT'S present purpose was evident Lois
Ict appropriated it and placed it, with
great satisfaction, upon the finger atore-
e..|. ihe object WAS certainly q curl
nsttN. Apart from the singumuty of
70, discovery aud the uncertainty at
t'UdGy ! Is previous history, it posses
sod lUtrluslc peculnritics that entitled
il ID more than ordinary consideration.
The rug was small, barely large enough
tO tit lelsler's rather diminutve hand.
\ broad, tat band of gold, surmouutcd
hy q large oval seal of chrysoprase 1t
had evidently seem use but when or
how, ur under what circumstances, was
d prarnud mystery. ON the face of
the Stone were number of almost inn
pereepuo.e scratches, apparently the
rsnsf ot some injury, and regretted bv
Lols,cr as mpairIng the value and
beauty ot the object. The ring was GER
family au antique, and, though adyer-
tsej. found no owner
Abnu. mouth orsiN weeks after
the discovery began tonotiee change
ln my friend His manner seemed alb
etre.rd, dIstralt and troubled, while
tHe tUtAe, Usathearted lock he had
moualIE Worn save place tom wearind
rAlcr,n~S expression At the time
ne became unusually roticent, avoiding
conversation, particularly Of personal
uat7ge, and was continually absorbed
n .aa pcmsal ut Jam old volume that
apNeHryd }um some recess Of his desk,
a8I which presented no legal appear