The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-04-23
THE SEVERED HAND.
A Romance of Real Life.

the knocker, about TO give warning to
the maid in attendance of his arrival,
+ when vigorous arm stopped his own,
halt way, and ut the same time three
masked figures surrounded the astonish-
/ ed doctor. The street was deserted. the
doctor had no arms by him, and wisely
7 Judging resistance would prove unavail-
ing, he sought to escape from the hands
/ of the banditti by the sacrifice of his
purse, when the man who held his arm
addressed him very politely, saying;
:" believe YOU are Doctor Lisfranc?"
g You seem to be acquainted with my
person, replied the doctor: Take then
my purse and watch-trouble me no
longer but get you gone to more honest
work
Sir" said the man, haughtily, eve
are no thieves, BUT only come to ask
from you a favor.
You have chosen strange way and
an unusual hour for such a purpose,
said the doctor mistrustfully-
Every hour is good for so clever
surgeon as yourself to perform an opera
ton"
Eh?" said the doctor, who, little
treasured, stood examining his three
clients more closely, and perceived that
they were dressed more like gentlemen
going to a ball than like highway rob
bers.
We request, doctor, that you follow
us Immediately"
Permit me, at least, to warn my lady
of my absence"
No-there is no need for it. You
have your implements with you; that
will do. You must submit, however,
to having your eyes bandaged."
But, slr,-
Come, come, by George" said one of
the men, if you have so many words
about it, we shall never proceed" He
then sounded shrill whistle, and car
riage coming from a narrow streetin the
neighborhood, made its appearance.
The three men led the doctor to it, help
ed him up, and then got in after him.
The horses gallOped away at a rapid
pace.
Doctor Lisfranc did not even think of
offering a resistance which must prove
useless, but submitted, with a good grace
to the mysterious violence exercised
upon his person.
For two hours time not word was
exchanged between him and his travel
ing companions, who spoke among them
selves, in a language he could not under
stand.
AT length the carriage rolled beneath
portico-the noise of an opening gate
was heard, creaking on his hinges-the
carriage stopped.
The door was opened, and the steps
let down.
Well?" inquired the anxious voice.
He is here, replied one of the men
in the carriage; and, taking the doctor
by the hand, assisted him to alght
They then caused him TO ascend several
steps.
By the cold air that struck upon his
face, the doctor perceived that he was
on the steps of an outer portico A
door was opened, and the doctor fancied
they made him cross a large hall he was
then led through a suit Of apartments,
covered with soft carpeting. At last the
doctors guide paused, and said:
eve have reached our destination,
doctOr-remove your bandage.
The doctor, whose terror had changed
to an uneasy curiosity and vague APP
prehension, obeyed the strangers voice
and found himself in a small room, lux
uriously furnished, and but half lit by
an ababaster lamp, which hung in the
middle of the room The window-cur-
tains were closely shut, as well as those
of the alcove, which occupied the farth-
er end of the apartment. In this room
the doctor found himself alone with one
of the three individuals who had made
him an unwilling captive
The stranger was tall and of imposing
mien. He was dressed with a truly
arristocratical precision; his black eyes
glittered through the half mask that
covered his upper features, while ner-
vous twitch agitated his uncovered lips
and the thick beard that surrounded the
lower part of his face.
Doctor" said the stranger, in dry
and broken voice, prepare your imple
ments-you have to perform an amputa-
ton.
Where is the patient?" inquired Lis
franc. Saying which he turned toward
the alcove, and moved a step forward.
The curtains waved gently, and stifed
sigh was heard coming from that direc-
ton.
Prepare for the operation, sir" re-
peated the stranger, convulsively.
"'But," said the doctor, it is impor-
tant that should see the patient"
You can see only the hand which
you are required to cut off"
The doctor then crossed his arms, and,
looking earnestly at his interlocutcr, re-
piled:
''Sir, there has been violence used in
bringing me here; if it be true, however,
that some one stands in need Of my SER
vices, without looking into your secrets
-unmindful of the way | have been
brought here-I shall willingly do my
duty as surgeon. But if you have
meditated crime, you may have oblig
ed me to follow you, but you cannot
force me to be your accomplice.
BE easy, sir" replied the stranger,
bitterly; there is no crime in all this. )"
And taking the doctor by the arm, he
walked up to the alcove; then pointing
to hand that came from behind the
curtains, he said: That is the hand
you are to cut off.
The doctor took within his own the
extended hand he felt its delicate fin
gers shudder at the contact. I was
woman's hand, small and beautifully
shaped, on which ruby ring made its
wilderness appear still more remarka-
bic.
Nothing here" exclaimed the doc
tor-''no, nothing demands an amputa-
ton"
And l tell you" cried the stranger,
with a laundering voice, ''that, if the
surgeon refuses, shall fulfill his Office
myself" And seizing an ak that lay at
the foot of the bed, he laid the hand
ON the nicht-tahla and nrenared to