The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-11
Selfrt Starr.
THE SEVERED HAND,
A ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE.

hpput tuC cnu W Oduudi uoIe tudu
twenty years since. Doctor Lisfranc, a
celebrated surgeon of Paris, was return.
ing to his house at eleven O'Clock al
night He had reached his door anG had
raised the knocker about to give warn
ing to the maid in attendance of his ar
rival, when vigorous arm stopped his
own half way, and at the same time
three masked figures surrounded the as
tonished doctor The street was desert
ed the doctor had no arms by him, and
wisely judging resistance would prove
unayailing. he sought to escape from the
hands OF the bsnditti by the sacrifice of
his purse, when the man who held his
arm addressed him very politely, say
ing: G%1 ~
."I believe you are Doctor Lisfranc P"
"You seem to be acquainted with my
person." replied the doctor, "Take,
then, my purse and watch--trouhle me
no longer, but get you gone to more
honest work. 70
"Sir," said the man, hsughtily, "we
are no thieves, but only came to ask
from you s9ayor"
You have chosen strange way and
an unusual hour for such purpose"
said the doctor, mistrustfullv.
"Every hour is good for so clever a
surgeon as yourself to perform an ope-
ration" ,-astsa
"Eh ?" said the doctor, who little re.
assured stood examing his three clients
more closely. and pc, ceiving that they
were dressed more like gentlemen going
TO ball than like highway robbers.
I'VE request, doctor, that you follow
US Immediately"
"Permit me, at least to warn my lady
of nv 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
s.But, sir" t..ss-s
"Come, come, by George" said one of
the men, "if you have so many words
about it. We shall never proceed" He
then sounded shril whistle, and car
riage coming from narrow street in the
neighborhood made its appearance The
three men led the doctor to it. helped
him up, and then got in after him. The
horses galloped away at q rapid pace.
Doctor Lisfranc did not even think Of
offering a resistance, which must prove
useless, hut submitted with good grace
to the mysterious violence exercised
upon his person
For two hours time not word was
exchanged between him and his travel
ing mpanions, who spoke among them.
selves in a language he could not under
stand
At length the carriage rolled beneath a
portico-the noise of an opening gate
was heard, creaking on its hinges-the
carriage stopped
The door was opened and the steps
let down
"Wellp p inquired an anxious voice
"He is here," replied one of the men
in the carriage, and taking the doctor by
the hand, assisted him to alighG; they
then caused him to ascend several steps.
By the cold air that struck upon bis
face the doctor perceived that he was on
the steps of an outward portico. A door
was opened, and the doctor fancied they
made him cross large hall (; he was then
led through suite of apartments GOV
cred with soft carpeting; at last the doc
tors guide paused and said:
"We have reached our destination,
doctor-remove your bandage."
The doctor, whose terror had changed
to an uneasy curiosity and vague ap
prebension, o5eyed the strangers voice
and found himself in small room, lux
uriously furnished, ,and but half lit by ar
alabaster lamp, (which hung in the middle
Of the room The window curtains were
closely shut, as well as those of the al
cove which occupied the further end o
the apartment. In the room this docto
found himself alone with one of tn,
three individuals who had made him al
unwilling captive.
| The stranger was tall and of imposin,
mien. He was dressed with truly aris
tocratical precision bis black eyes gil,
tered through the half mask that covere,
bis upper features, while nervous twitc
agitated his uncovered lips ard the thic
heard that surrounded the lower part G
his face
"Doctor," said the stranger, in dr.
and broken voice, "prepare your implt
ments-you have to perform an amputs
tion." rs
"Where is the patient p inquired Ii.
franc: saying which he turned towar
, the alcove, and moved a step forward
The curtain waved gently and a stine
sigh was heard coming from that diret
tion. la -aa 81 a..
"Prepare for the operation. sill, )" re
I peated the stranger, convulsively.
"But," said the doctor, sit is import
ant that ! should see the patient"
"You can see only the hand whic
you are required to cut off,"
The doctor then crossed his arms, an
looking earnestly at his interlocutor n
} piled:
"Sir," there has been violence used
bringing me here; II 1t be true, howeve