The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-01-04
The Story Of a Ring.

The Story Of Ring.
| suppose that never a man lived within
more contracted sphere, or devoted his
energies more assiduously to the pursuit
OF single idea. than Farquharson Leisler,
during the fall of 1869 and the winter of
20. And yet, while the fact was appar-
ent, the cause was so obscure that men
could do little more than speculate re-
garding it, and, in default of actual evil
dence, circulate innumerable and extraor-
dlnary 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 con-
versation, but with coincidence of feel
ing and an identity of sentiment that is
often found among those who have grown
up together and developed common SYM
pathies and impulses. We had been boys
at the same school, We're in college to-
gether, and now were studying law in the
same office.
His whole life was enclrcled by and
bound within the signet ring he habitual-
~ NOlt ~ JlttN SttIi iu cktIiNdGtllL Oh
rather a frivolous assertion, but it was a
fact, though none but myself knew it as
such.
The article id itself was peculiar enough
to excite any degree OF interest He
wore it on the fourth finger of the left
hand, and derived from Its proprietorship
about as much misery as any man ever
gained from the possession of any single
object
Without any circumlocution or distor-
ton of realities, the article in question
was found in the stomach of blue fish
which Lcisler hauled in from the waters
OF Jamaica Bay, during fishing excur-
sion 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 ii had got there, where it had come
from, what We're its antecedents, we did
not know. The fact OF its existence and
of its present purpose was evident. Leis-
ler appropriated It and placed it, with
great satisfaction, upon the finger afore
said. The object was certainly curios-
ity. Apart from the singularity OF its dis
covery and the uncertainty attending its
previous history, it possessed intrinsic
peculiauties that entitled it to more than
ordinary consideration. The ring was
small, barely large enough to fit Leisler's
rather diminutive hand. A broad, fiat
band of gold, surmounted by large oval
seal of chrysoprase. 1t had evidently
seen use, but when or how, or under what
circumstances was a profound mystery.
On the face of the stone were a number
of almost imperceptible scratches, appar-
emily the result Of some injury, and re-
GREETED by leisler as impairing the value
and beauty of the object. The ring was
certainly an antique; and, though adver-
tised found no owner.
About month or six weeks after the
discovery, | began to notice a change in
my friend. His manner seemed abstract
ed, distrait and troubled, while the blithe,
light ht-hearted look he had habitually worn
gave place to wearied, cheerless ex-
preston. At The same time he became
unusually reticent, avoiding conversation,
particularly of personal nature, and was
continually absorbed in the perusal of an
old volume that appeared from some re-
cess of his desk, and which presented no
legal appearance | did not interfere
with his reflections, confident that time
would develope their character And
the days passed by, | working the more
and he the less, and exhibiting with the
neglect an increasing devotion to the
mustv 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:
erich, are you superstitious ?''
looked at him in surprise The pos
sibility of his being affected by such con-
siderations had never occurred to me.
replied:
"Not in the least, my dear fellow. are
you ?''
He unused for q minute, as he looked at
the ring, and said:
I'm sure I don't know; | didn't use to
be-"
"What on earth then, has brought it to
your mind now?" inquired, with curios-
ty and with the intention of having it out
then and there.
"Well," he said, slowly at first as
though arriving at a conclusion, mot that
belive in any of the trash we read about
manifestations and mediums and the like.
| havn't seen any ghosts, or been in any
trance; but between this Internal ring
and this abominable book, | don't know
what do believe. I'm thoroughly mix
ed" And he looked at me as though in
uncertainty and doubt.
The old book tells all aboutit don't
know what evil spirit ever prompted me
to look it up; but I've done it, and found
out my fate. won't trouble you much
longer" he sighed.
''Tell me all about it, Far" l urged,
"Iet me hear what it is"
"Well." said he, 81 don't know as it
will afford you much comfort or satisfac-
ton but you might as we'll learn. got
the ring, and while wondering with you
about its origin, remembered an old book
in our library, that father picked up in
Europe, some medieval Italian chroni-
cles. l thought that perhaps l might
there find what | wanted Here's one
thing" and he opened it on the desk be-
fore me. 1t was a huge volume, written
in English, and as the text and letter press
indicated, very old and correspon dinghy
valuable.
"Listen," said he as he proceeded to
read
"And it befel in Ravenna, that a certain ring
was made yearly. to cast into the sea, that, per-
chance the favor of the seas might be gained.
And forasmuch as this did henceforth belong
unto the elements, any one who did take there.
from the Offering should be judged guilty of
death. But if he should find and wear it un-
knowingly, he should be left to the mercy of
the winds and waves-and this should surely
befall him, Now the ring was of pure gold,