Smyrna times., 1874-10-07
ers. Peter had evidently been waiting and

"a
The lunch-room was near at hand and while
they ate they talked of Frank Powers and his
adventures and also of his mishaps.
" He ought 20 be thankful, though" re-
marked Peter, "that it was his left arm that
was taken, instead of his right.
John Ogden looked up curiously.
"Eh! PeterH'
81 say Frank ought to be thankful that they
took his left arm instead of his right"
How?"
why, Frank lost his right arm-to be sureI"
" You are mistaken, John! His right arm is
safe and sound. 1t is the lett arm that is gone |"
Peter are you in earnest? DO you mean
| it2 Do you mean to say that Frank Powers
has lost his left arm, and that his right arm is
intact p
Il do say exactly so?''
John pressed the ends of his fingers upon
his brow and called up to mind the picture as
| he had seen it on the previous evening. He
remembered Just where the empty sleeve had
dangled, and he remembered that the opposite
arm had been whole.
"Peterl' he finally said, slowly and em-
phatically, Frank Powers has lost his right
arm ~
" You are mistaken, John!"
Do you think SO 2
Z" EHOl0 you are mistaken ~
I'D like to bet you something on it ~ said
John, with decisive gesture.
"IN bet you anything you like, my dear
fellow $50 that you make it an object.
"Ill bet anything you like! John answered.
" John you amt sure enough to bet thou
sand dollars 2"
"A thousand ?S
81 thought it would shake your confidence
in yourself !" nodded Peter, with a smile.
John Ogden started to his feet and brought
his hands down with a slap upon the table.
" Dare you bet thousand dollars, Peter? ?"
"Yes |"
you'll lose it,"
" am able!"
"Tll 20 i'll The bet is made Will you
hold here while 60 and get the money p
"Yes!"
John hurried away to the bank, drew ou
his thousand dollars, and with it returned t
the lunch-room flushed and excited. A mu
tual friend was called, to whom the case wa
stated.
81 bet thousand dollars" said John
"that Colonel Frank Powers has lost his righ
arm, and that his left arm is whole!"
! And |, said Peter, e" bet the same amour
! that Colonel Frank Powers has lost his LEI
arm, and that his right armiis whole !"
. The money was deposited in the hands Of tn
mutual friend, with instructions that he shou
pay it to the winner. And then they agree
that the three should go at once to the hOte
= and settle the matter.
> Twelve months before this time John Ogde
> would not have bet 50 large a sum under an
: circumstances but the habit had indeed grow
upon him.
Arrived at the hotel, the three were admit
= ted to the Colonel presence
All boys | am glad to see you! | al
= feeling much better to day. John, old fellow
" !, | can get up for YOU now. How are you?'
u Aud Colonel Frank Powers arose, and e1
= tended his hand-hs right hand; and whe
: John felt its grasp he found it true flesh an
blood, warm AMI pulsating. He staggcre
back with a groan.
:. You will excuse Us Colonel" sail Peter
~ but John an1 had little dispute. H
thought you had lost your right arm "
g "Oh, mol" returned Powers, smilin,
le "Thank lIeaven my right arm is spare
me-" extending his good right hand; :" hi
N this poor stump is all that is left of its fellow
TX pointing to the empty sleeve that hung by HI
left side.
lg John got away as soon as he could In II
ST lower hall the two thousand dollars were pa
over to Peter Cartwright.
le am sorry you lost your money John
the latter said, az he put the banknotes in
his pOcket-book, "but [ think won it fair
" "It's all right, Peter' And John triC
le to smile as he said so, but he could not do
>. A miserable man was John Ogden that a
I ternoon; and more miserable was he when
ne went to his home in the evening. His wi
asked him what was the matter, but he wou
t; not tell her. and when she pressed him
I'd waJ angry He could not, he dared not, t
her that the savings of years, the money tn
en- was to have paid for their precious home, h,
been swept away in a moment-swept aw
by an act of his own sin and folly.
10 That night he slept not wink. On Il
llt following morning, pale and shaking, he stai
ed to go away from his home without his brea
let fast On his doorstep he was met by Ca
of wright's clerk, who handed him a seal
packet
ill It's from Mr. Cartwright, sir |"
"Do yon wait for an answer?"
ly. "No, sir -
John vent back into his house, broke {
a seal, and opened the packet. He found with
ost one thousand dollars in crisp bsnknotes, and
folded letter. lie opened the letter, and rea
m. Dedr John With this send you back yo
as gambling bets are often won, yet did {
win it fairly. Frank and deceived you
mt purpose On your first visit his right al
his was hid beneath his coat aud his wooden al
was strapped on As he did not rise from
chair the deception was perfect You fon
he him on your second visit as he really wi
nd only the wooden arm had been laid aside.
III Forgive me, J0hnl ana OeneVe tHat y
70: an aim in :his, which God grant may be E
r filled PETER.
PSI should like that this subject shot
u never be referred to between u.s. Please me
tV this, won't your r.
Dear John what Is it p
see Susan had come in, and az she spoke =
up put her arms around her husbands neck q
kissed him. lie returned the kiss.
he Not now, Susan he said huskiy.
n will tell you some time"
it. "But you will come and eat some bre,
tly fast ?" ..-
ell, "If you wont ask any more questions-yes
The blow had been severe one, and [
his effects of the shock did not quickly pass avn
Irt But John Ogden revived in time; and VIII
he told to his wife the secret Of his trouble
Ind that unhappy night, he was prepared to g
ere her great and lasting joy by adding that
oy had made his last bet