Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-11
The Model for a Marble Hand

Lexington (Ky.) Letter TO Cincinnati Enquirer.
After the restoration of Louis Philippe to
the French throne May of Napoleon's SOL
d ers were left in com parative poverty. One
Of tn m, a famous General, had a beautiful
daughter whom he wished to marry rich, but
who fell in love with poor young man-an
under secretary, or something Of that kind.
She married 1T her fathers request a rich
Count, but refused at the wedding ceremony
to allow the ring 10 be placed upon her eft
hand, upon which she wore ruby, put there
by her lover Her jealous husband was not
long in finding out what was the matter. and
Interceptirg a letter in which the ardent
Young lover claimed Matida's hand as his, he
determined upon an awful revenge.
One night, as the eelebrs ted surgeon, Lis
france. was returning from a professional
visit he was captured by a party Of men.
blindfolded and taken to distant palace and
led through q labyrinth Of passages and
rooms. At length his 'nductOr. stopping,
said: doctor, we have arrived; remove
your bandage." The doctor. whose fears had
given place to a restless curiosity and a vague
apprehension. Obeyed. and found himself in a
small chamber. furnished with remarkable
luxury and half lit bv an alabas er lamp hui z
from the ceiling. The windows were her
meticallv sealed, az well as the curtains of an
alcove at the end Of the room.
Here the doctor found himself alone with
one of his abductOrs. He wasa man Of I'M
posing height and commanding air, and his
whole Xterior Of the most aristocratic stamp.
His black eyes cleaned through the half max
that covered the upper part Of his ace, and a
nervous agitation shook his colOrless lips and
the thick black beard thatiuframed the lower
doctor" said he, in An abrupt, loud voice,
prepare for your work-an amputation."
"Where ia the patientT' asked the doctor,
turning toward the alcove. The curt iins
moved slightly. and he heard . stihed sigh
prepare, SIR" said the man convulsively
"But, SIR must see the patient" "You will
see onlv the hard you are to cut on The doe
tor, folding his arms aud looking firmly at the
other, said: "Sir,you hrou hit me here BY force.
II YOU need my professional assistance. shall
do my duty without caring for that or troub-
ling myself about your secrets: but II you
wish 10 commit crime yon cannot force me
to be your accomplish BE content, sir,
replied the other, there Is ne crime n this"
and leading HIM to the alcove he drew from
the curtains hand. at is this you are 10
cut on" The doctor took the hand in his;
his fngors trembled At the touch. IL was
lady's hand. small, beautifully moulded, and
its pure white set on by mag incent ruby
doctor, s'there IL no need OF amputatlOn; moth
ing is" And |, sirl say" Numbered The
other. 'ff you refuse ] will do it my
self" and, Selling Ratchet, he drew
se es about to strike The doctor O arrested a9
him arm. "Do yonr duty then. doctor" "Oh,
but this Is an atrocious act" said the sur
geon. what is that 70 you? IL must be done
/ wish IL; madam wishes IL also; II necessary
she will demand II herself Come, Madam
request the doctor 70 do you this service
The doctor, nonpussed and almost fainting
the alcove, in ahalf-expiring Voice and mex
pressible accent OF despair and resignation:
"Sir. since you are a surgeon-yes--I eutreat
you-let Il he you and not-Oh. yes; YOU you
In mercvw "Well, DOCTOR" said the man.
''you or l."
The resolution Of this man was 20 frightful,
and the prayer Of tn, poor lady 80 full OF en-
treaty and despair that the dOctor felt that
even humanity commanded OF him compi-
ance with the appeal Of the victim. He took
his instruments with last imploring look at
the unknown. who only pointed 70 the hand.
and th,n with sinking heart began the
operation. For the hrst time In his eNperi-
ence his hand tremblei, but the knife was
doing its work. There was a cry from the
alcOve, and then al was silent. Nothing was
heard but the hOrrid sound Of the operation
till the hand and the saw fell together on the
floor.
Lisfrance wore the ruby upon his watch
chain, where 10 vas seen by the young lover
on his return 10 Paris, and out OF IL grew
duel that led 70 the disclosure VI the nfamous
crime. The morning after the young lovers
arrival az the capital he was presented By a
man in livery with an ebony box, Opesing
10 he discovered a bleeding hand. Mattlda's,
and on 1t paper with these Words "eee
how the Countess OF --- keeps her oath"
After the duel the young mas ned 70 Brussels,
where the bleeding hand was transferred to
canvas; Hart, seeing The painting, copied 10
In marble