The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-02-26
me Severed Hand.
A ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE.

About the end of january, more
fhan twenty years since, DIR. Lis
sranc, a celebrated surgeon of Paris,
vas returning to his house at eleven
o'clock ut night. He had reached the
door, and had raised the knocker, about
10 give warning to the maid in attend
nnce OF his arrival, when vigorous arm
opped his own ba'f way, and at the
Inc time three masked figures sur
Lo&nded the astonished doctor. The
sIreet was deserted, the doctor had no
arms by him, and, wisely Judging resist
auce would prove unavaihng, he sought
81 escape from the hands of the banditt
by the sacrifice of his purse, when the
man who held his arm addressed him
very politely, s yipg:
- believe you are DIR. Lisfranc? ?"
You seem to be acquainted with my
person, replied the doctor. "Take.
then, my purse aud atch- trouble NJ,
no longer. but get You gone to more
honest work"
.sSr," said the man, haughtily, owe
are no thieves, but only come to ask from
you favor"
- You have chosen O strange way and
an unusual hour for such purpose,
said the Il ,ct II. mistrustfully.
!" Every hour is rood for so clever a
surgeon as'yourself to perform an opera
4ion."
sE12" said the doctor, who, lit e
assured, stood examining his three
ents more closely, and perceived that
lev were dressed more like gentlemen
#ing to ball than like highway rob-
We request, doctor, that you follow
Immediately"
1" Permit me. at least, to warn by lady
.lny absence"
y No: there is no need for it. You
/ pive your implements with you; that
\ ill do. You must submit, no wever, to
lcSving your eyes bandaged.
- "But, sir -
"Oome, come, by George" said one
the men, elf you have so many
ords about it we shall never proceed. >
he then sounded shrill whistle, aud q
arriage coming from narrow street in
he neighborhood made it's appearance.
he men led the doctor to it, helped
linn up, and then got in after him. The
orses galloped away at a rapid pace.
DIR. Lisfranc did not even think Of
offering a resistance, which must prove
useless. but submitted with a good
grace TO tn" inyssef4ous violence exer'
lcised upon his person.
N For two hours time not word wal
4 Unchanged between him and his travel
ling companions, who spoke among
themselves in language he could no
understand.
I. At length the carriage rolled beneath
'',slh portico-the noise of an opening gatt
was heard breaking on its hinges-thC
carriage stopped.
The door was opened and the step
let down.
swell? ?" inquired an anxious voice
"He is here, =" replied one of the mel
in the carriage, and, taking the docto
by the hand, assisted him to alight
They then caused him to ascend severa
steps.
By the cold air that struck upon hi
face the doctor perceived that he was OF
the steps of an outer portico. A doc
was opened and the doctor fancied the,
made him cross large hall; he wa
then led through cutie of apartments
covered with soft carpeting, At las
the doctors guide paused and said
"We have reached our destination
doctor; remove your bandage."
The doctor, whose terror had changed
10 an uneasy Curiosity and vague ap
prehension, obeyed the strangers voic
and found himself in a small room
luxuIiously fHERiahed, and but half Ii
by an alabaster lamp which hung in tn
middle of the room. The window cur
kofnu olooaIxy ohnk &c nall kboo
of the alcOYe, which occupied the furthe
end Of the apartment. In this room tn
doctor found himself alone with one Q
the three individuals who had made hir
40 unwilling captive.
The stranger was tall and of imposin
nien. He was dressed with a trul
hristocratie precision; his black eye
elittered through the half mask tha
covered his upper features, while nerV
ous twitch agitated his uncovered lip
and the thick beard that surrounded th
lower part of his face.
"Doctor," " said the stranger; in DIR
and broken voice, "prepare your in
plements; you have to perform an an
putaiion."
"Where is the patient ?" inquire
Lisirane. Saying which he turned tC
ward the alcove, aud moved step fol
ward. The curtains waved gently, an
a stiffed sigh was heard coming fro
that direction.
Prepare for the operation, sir" n
peated the stranger, convulsively.
But, said the doctor, "it is impoI
ant that shouls-see the patient.