Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-02-14


Isn't John saving up money with which
to pay off the mortgage on his house ?"
"Yes. He has almost enough. The
mortgage is eleven hundred and fifty
dollars, and he has thousand of it IN.
bank"
"Don't say anything to him that i
have been here, and say nothing about
Colonel Powers"
But-Peter-"
"Trust me, Susan l think L see a
way to give him lesson. Hold your
peace, and await the result"
On the following day Peter Cart
wright met John Ogden in the store,
and informed him of the arrival of Col.
Powers.
"And he wants to see you, old fell
low. Will you go mp with me shis
evening ?"
"OeItain1y Will, replied John,
gladly. I" How is hep
Comfortable, considering. He has
had hard time of it, though. You
knew he had lost an arm ?"
"I heard of his being wounded at
Antietam. And so the arm had to come
Off"
eyes"
(Which"
excuse me, John. / have an ap-
pointment to keep at the bank. I will
call for you this evening""
Gall right. I'll be ready"
And in the evening Peter called, and
together the two went to the hotel.
They found Col. Powers in his private
room, seated in big easy-chair, and
looking somewhat pale and worn.
Crank, my dear fellow, how are
you ?" cried John, advancing.
John, old boy, am glad to see
you. You'll excuse me not rising. I
am pretty well, but not SO strong as I
have BEEN"
"Keep your seat, Frank. am glad
to see you back alive (; and I'm sure
you'll pick up in time"
The empty coat-sleeve, dangling over
the arm of the chair, was eloquent, and
Johns eyes mOistened as he fixed his
gaze upon it.
And yet the conversation flowed
pleasantly after a time. The colonel
had much to tell, and his hearers were
willing to listen.
John arose to depart first. He had
told his wife that he should not be out
late. Cartwright would remain a 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 de-
posit for his employers. Peter had
evidently been waiting and watching.
Are you going to lunch, John ?"
"Yes. Will you come with me ?"
81 will if you'll lunch with me-"
The lunch-rooIn was near at hand,
and while they eat they talked of Frank
Powers and his adventures, and 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. 4"
John Ogden looked up curiously.
"Eh, Peter?"
81 say, Frank ought to be thankful
that they took his left arm instead of
his right"
"You mean that for joke ?"
"How?"
"Why,-Frank has lost his right
arm, to be sure"
"You are 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?"
care you daft, John? Of course, I
mean it"
"Do you mean to say that Frank
Powers has lost his left arm, and that
his right arm is intact?"
81 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 pre-
vious evening. He remembered Just
where the empty sleeve had dangled,
and he remembered that the opposite
arm had been whole.
"Peter," he finally said, slowly and
emphatically, "Frank Powers has lost
his right arml"
"You are mistaken, John"
"Do you think 80 ?"
81 know you are mistaken"
I'D like to bet you something on
it," said John, with decisive gesture.
"I'll bet you anything you like, my
dear fellow, SO that you make it an OBJ
ject"
"And I'll bet anything you like"
John answered.
" You amt sure enough to bet a
thousand dollars ?"
ga thousand ?"
thought it would shake your con.
fidence in yourself" nodded Peter,
with smile.
John Ogden started to his feet. and
brought his hand down with slap upon
the table"
"Dare you bet a thousand dollars,
Peter 2"
eyes"
You'll lose it,"
"I am able"
"I'll go it The bet is made. Will
you hold here while I go and and get
the money ?"
eyes"
John hurried away to the bank and
drew out his thousand dollars, and with
it returned to the lunch-room flushed
and excited. A mutual friend was
called, to whom the case was plainly
, stated.
81 bet a thousand dollars" said
John, that Colonel Frank Powers has
lost his right arm, and that his left arm
is whole"
"And ], " said Peter, "bet the same
amount that Colonel Frank Powers hat
lost his left arm, and that his right arm
is whole"
The money was deposited in the
hands of the mutual friend, with in
structions that he should pay it to the
winner. And then they agreed that the
three should go at once to the hotel ant
settle the matter.
Twelve months before this time Johr