The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-03-17

seated IN big easy chair, and looking
somewhat pale and worn.
Frank, my dear fellow, how are you p
cried John, advancing.
John, old boy, am glad to SEQ you.
You'll excuse mo not rising am pret.
ty well, but not so strong as have been
Keep your scat. Frank. am glad to
see you back alive and I'm sure you'll
pick up in time
The empty coat.slecvc, dangling over
the arm Of the chair. was eloquent, aud
Johns eyes moistened as he fixed his
gaze upon t.
And yet the ccnver rsation flowed pleas
antly after time. The colonel had much
to tell, and his hearers wero willing to
listen.
John arose to depart first lie had
told his wife that he should not be out
late, Cartwright would remain while
longer.
On the day following this visit Peter
and John met in the street close by the
bank where the latter had come to depos.
it for his employers. Peter had evident.
ly been waiting and watching.
Are you going to lunch, John?
Yes. Will you come with me
Il will if you'll lunch with me-
The unch.room was near at hand, and
while they ate they talked of Frank Pow
ers aud his adventures, md also Of his
mishaps.
He ought to be thankful, though
remarked Peter, that it was his left arm
that was taken Instead of his right
John Ogden looked up curiously.
'Eh. Peter?'
Il say, Frank ought to be thankful
that they took his left arm instead Of his
right
You mean that fer joke p
How?
'Why-Faank has los, hi- right arm,
to be sure
You arc mistaken, John. His right
arm, is safe and sound. 1t is the left
arm that is gone.
Peter are you in earnest? DO you
mean it,
DO you mean to say that Frank Pow
ers has lost his lett arm, and his right
arm is intact p
Il do say exactly So
Jchn pressed the ends of his fingers
upon his brow, and called up to mind the
picture as he had seen it the previous
evening. He remembered Just where the
empty sleeve had dangled, and he remem-
bered that the opposite arm had been
whole.
Peter, be finally said, slowly and en-.
phatically, Frank Powers has lost his
right arm !"
'You are mistaken, John.
DO you think so 2
Il know 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, so that you make it an OBJ
ject.
And Iii bet anything you like John
answered.
You oin't sure enough to be, thou.
sand dollars p
"A thousandT
Il thought it would shake you, conf.
dence in YOURSELF nodded Peter, with a
smile.
john Ogden started to his feet, and
brought his hand down with slap upon
the table
Dare you bet thousand dollars. Pc.
ter 2
Yes
You'll lose it,
i am able
IN 20 it The bet was made. Viii
you hold here while 60 and get the
money p
Yes
John hurried away to the bank and
drew out his thousand dollars, aud with
it returned to the lunch.room flushed and
excited. A mutual friend was called, to
whom the case was plainly stated.
Il bet thousand dollars, said john
that Colonel Frank Powers has lost his
right arm, and that his LETT arm is whole,
And L. said Peter, bet the same
amount that Colonel Frank Powers ha.
lost his left arm, and that his right arm
is whole
The morey was deposited in the hand,
Of the mutual friend, with instruction,
that he should pay it TO the winner. AnG
then they agreed that the three should g
at once to the hotel and settle the matter
Twelve months before this time, Johr
Ogden would not have bet so largo a sun
under any circumstances but the habi
had indeed grown upon hin.
Arrived a. the hotel the three were ad
mitted to the colonel's presence.
'Ah, boys, | am glad to see you. an
feeling much better to-day. John, ol,
fellow, can get up for you now. Hos
ore you ?
Aud Colonel Frank Powers arose, an
extended his hand his RIGHT HAND-an
whom John felt Its grasp he found it tru
flesh and blood, warm and pulsaiing. II
staggered back witha groan,
You will excuse us. Colonel said Pc
ter but John aud had little dispute
He thought you had lost your right arm
oh no. returned Powers. smiling
Thank Heaven, my right arm is spare
me,'--extending his good right hand :
but this poor stump is all that is left ,
" fellow pointing to its empty s!eev
hat hung by his left side.
John got away as soon as be could. |
the lower hall the two thousand dolla
} was paid over TO Peter Cartwright