Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-07-02
The Severed Hand.
A ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE.

About the euu Vi UduudiJ, h1ViO '"AN
twenty years since, Doctor Listranc,
celebrated surgeon ofParis, was return
ing to his house at eleven O'Clock al
night. He had reached his door, and
had raised the knocker, about to give
warning to the maid in attendance Of
his arrival, when a vigorous arm stopped
his own half way, and at the same time
three masked figures surrounded the
astonished doctor. The street was de-
serted, the doctor had no arms by him,
and, wisely judging resistance would
prove unavaillng, he sought to escape
from the hands of the bandith by the
sacrifice of his purse, when the man
who held his arm addressed HIM very
politely, saying:
L believe you are Doctor Lisfranc?
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, we
are no thieves, but only come to ask
from you favor
You have chosen strange way and
an unusual hour for such purpose,
said the doctor, mistrustfully.
Every hour is good for 80 clever q
surgeon as yourself to perform an oper"
alton
'Eh % SAID the doctor, when a 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, sir
Come, come, by George seld one
of the men, if you have SO many words
about It, we shall never proceed He
then sounded shr:ll whistle, and a car
riage coming from narrow street in
the neighborhood made its appearance.
The three men led the doctor to it,
helped hln up, and then got in after
him. The horses galloped away at
rapid pace.
Doctor Lisfranc did not even think of
offering a resistance, which must prove
useless. but submitted with good grace
to the mysterious violence exercised up
on his person.
For two hours time not word was
exchanged between him and his travel
ing companions, who spoke among
themselves in a language he could not
understand.
At length the carriage rolled beneath
a portico-the noise Of an opening gate
was heard, creaklng on Its hinges-the
carriage stopped.
The door was opened and the steps
let down.
Well" 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 alight.-
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 portion. A
door was opened, and the doctor fancied
they made him cross large hall; he
was then led through a suit of apart
covered with soft carpetins. AT
last the DOCTORS guide paused, and said |:
I'VE haye reached our destination,
doctor-remove your bandage.'
The doctor, whose terror had chang
ed to an uneasy curiosity and a vague
apprehension, obeyed the strangers
voice, and found himself in small
room, luxuriouslv furnished, and but
half lit by an alabaster lamp which hung
n the middle OF the room. The win
low curtains were closely shut, as we'll
Is those of the alcove, which occupied
he farther end Of the apartment. In
.his room the doctor found himself alone
sitt, one Of the three individuals who !