Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-11
PRINCE RUpERTS ring.
Cvhambers's Journal.)

About twenty years ago held the rank
of troop sergeant-major In the first LAM
GERS. the regiment being then quartered
in HorneIeigh. At that period full ar
ranaements had been made for ceie-
brating the marriage Of our captain Loru
DashclIffe. a very popular. genial ana
handsome young fellow. who had sue
ceesed to the title on the deatn OF ms
father. about two years previously. INC
lady OF the soldIer-peers cnoice va" ,,s
Me- palsy WILKINS, daughter OF Sir
Pierce wyikyns, OF Billoby Hail. 10TH
shire. A.
On the day before that fixed Tor the
wedding the two subalterns OF the troop
and the requisite number OF non-com-
missioned officers and men were. by per
mission of the commanding officer as
matched by a train TO the hhii III oiuei
10 form a guard Of honor at the church
door during the time OF the marriage.
Upop our arrival most sumptuous heai
was provided for the rank ana NE III
the servants hall, and beds Tor tne men
which were of the 'shake-do"h oruei'
were provided In the riding scnooi az
tacbed TO the stables, about hair mile
from the hall.
Between 8 and in the evening, just
as was thinking Of getting my men
marched off to night quarters. the senior
lieutenant. Mr.. Gloster sent for me and
said. "Sergeant-Mator, Lord Dashcline
uishes n sentry to be placed In the
library. where the wedding presents are
laid out. Many OF the articles are OF
great value and he thinks 1t best to nave
them watched. in case Of accident. So
inst pick out three Of the men. and form
A guard Lord Dashcliffe Will remember
them for their trouble, which may anord
them some consolation, and any three VIII
do" Accordingly. picked out three men,
took command myself. and one trooper.
by name Martin Clements, L ordered 10
go on duty first.
I babe Clements put on his sword, ana
we entered the spacious and beautifully
fitted-up library. The sight that met my
eyes was dazzling In the extreme.
large table in the centre was literally COW
cred with pieces OF plate, from a soiiu
silver service. presented by Prince OF
the blood-royal. to the modest inkstanh
we had subscribed for in our own troop
on several sde-tables were displayed hu-
merous articles Of jewery, with tickets
In front bearing the donors names. repre-
sentative OF nearly all the best families
in England About n dozen gentlemen
were in the room, surrounding tan
florid-faced, handsome old man, with we'll
cut aristocratic features, and the unmis-
taxable bearing of soldier. the butier'
who was standing near. whispered 10 me
THAT Ia Major-General Wylkyns, Sif
Pierce's brother
When the General saw me he called out,
Il perceive you have got your man on
very good" Then he said TO the others;
Excuse me n moment. while / snow the
Sergeant-Major round" In a most gra-
T~t, A
pointed out to me all the valuables In de-
tail. Then he stopped at one of the side
tables. and picking up large emerald
ring of very antique pattern. SAID, IN q
garrulous fashion: That IS one or my
gifts to my niece. You see-isn't the
stone magnificent? One Of the finest
ever saw. Well, ii was presented 10 an
ancestor of mine by Prince Rupert. some
time after Naseby. for services rendered
at the battle | believe the Prince took II
from his own finger, or something or the
sort Anyhow. this ring has been in my
family for over two centuries. When my
aunt died. a couple of years ago. she be-
dueathed 1t to me: and now. having no
children of my own, / am giving 1t TO my
niece No, by Jove, II won't go orr con-
tirued the General, as he tried the rims
over the glove on the little finger Of his
right hand. II remember when Ii would
though. My fingers are a trife equity
nowadays. But see, Sergeant MAJ or'-
and General Wylkyns slipped the ring In
rapid succession over all the digits OF his
left hand-''no chance OF a swelling oil
the muscles here. I'll tell you why. This
paw is made OF wood and steel springs
and so forth. 1t takes the place OF the
hand 1 lost at Sobraon. / can fish, shoot
hunt, carve, box-do anything with 1t, In
fact"
While I stood opposite to Clements l
heard the voluble General still talking
to a knot OF guests on the subject OF the
ring, when a young baronet. Sir Harry
Beynell, a wellknown character In So
ciety and on the turf. observed: Look
here, General; wonder If that ring was
ever consigned by your folks TO the care
OF Messrs A. or some by-gone uncle
In the same line of business as that dis
tinguished firm? Perhaps, according 10
| the condition pertaining TO breach OF
| contract in the shape OF non-payment
| of principal and interest, the real one
may have been forfeited. and sham
one substituted, for the look OF the thing.
General Wyll1yns. appearing a trihe
angry, responded: by Jove. Beynell,
| have heard stories OF the same kind about
| diamondsi OUTSIDE the value of this
emerald from its associations. / assure
you II is intrinsically worth a thousand
pounds,"
one Of the guests now popped his head
| into the doorway, and cried: II say, you
| fellows. come to the billiard-room."
There was Immediately an exodus. the
last to leave being the General. He had
reached the corridor outside, and Their
| heard the old warrior giving vent tC
a volume OF potent imprecations.
rushed outside and said TO him: 'Oh,
beg your pardon, sir, but l thought
heard you tumble; hope you aren't hurt
| slr?
| He replied: mot at all, Sergeant
Major. thank you. My foot slipped OF
the polished oak floor. l wonder II I've
broken my artificial hand?' lawns
rapidly felt 1t over. he growled: NO;
think not, for a marvel. I'm of to bed
Goodnight, Sergeant-Major.
Turning. / saw Clements at the library
door. "Sentry-go, Sergeant-MaJor, th'
man whispered: its just struck twelve
"All right" | replied. Then walked
TO the end Of the corridor that ran paral
lei with the library, and ascending tn'
| s,air called the second man, whose name
| was Jones. ,,,
| While | was relieving Clements, 81
| Pierce Wylkyns came in with the butler
| The Baronet remarked to me: sergeant
Major. I think 1t will be better TO loci
no all the small articles In a cabinet
Williams here will clear them away
Hulloar, he exclaimed excitedly; wher'
on earth is that emerald ring?'
Sure enough. Prince Ruperts enerai'
was missing! al
II beg pardon. Sir Pierce" ] remarked
General wylkyns had 1t In MS hana ON
a few minutes ago. Possibly he may nav
Inadvertently placed 1t in his pocket ~
informed me, Sir Pierce. that ne wa
going to bed"
| Sir Pierce fumed for a minute, anu .he'