Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-07-05

disclosed the bold brigand's staggering
reply-a cardboard box containing "a
mans ear packed in sawdust, and in
side the lid these words were scrawled:
mo less than four thousand. Part
of his eXcellency is sent free SO that
he may hear your decide which was
final"
In after years that day always re-
NAMED impressed with startling vivid
ness on his lordshib's memory What
| with his wifes continual fainting fits;
his three daughters ia consecutive hys-
terics. their conscious intervals being
employed in upbraiding him in such
severe terms that one would have
thoLght that the poor man had himself
cut his sons ear OF; his own mental
anguish as he remembered that the
future head of his house would never
be able TO hear both sides; the horrd
possibility Of getting the wanderer
back for nothing-a piece at time.
and the fear that at that moment fur
ther tortures might be in course of in
fliction-he often marveled, not only
that he survived 1t, but that reason did
not altogether forsake her lettering
throne.
Ana the climax was reached when
In the softening shades Of twilight
Lady Methwick and her three daugh-
tiers. dressed in black. went in solemn
procession To distant part of the
grounds, where, beside ripping
stream and beneath spreading tree,
the gardener had already dug a grave.
There, with fresh bursts of tears and
passionate sobs, the box of sawdust
with its precious freight was solemnly
buried, and cairn built over and
about its resting place.
The outgoing evening mail carried
two letters, one 10 the brigands agree
ing TO their terms, the other TO friend
of the family, who happened to be
consul in the near neigh borhood, in
closing a draft for four thousand
pounds, and begging him TO put him
self in instant communication with
Giuseppe and obtain the captive's re-
lease.
The consul did as he was desired.
and, in compliance with instructions
from the robber band, who were evil
IDENTITY taking every precsution against
HN'Hb N'NHPNNf lAONNNNtN aunt Oll'
evening, carrying a parcel of four
thousand sovereigns TO an indicated
spot on the outskirts Of forest. Here
he was met by a sunburnt. black
bearded giant, picturesque attired in
his native dress, who carried rifle,
while a couple OF revolvers and
poniard adorned his sash. Motioning 10
the consul 10 follow him. he proceeded
but few PAGES into the forest, then
halted and blew a long, low peculiar
whistle on his fingers.
Approaching footsteps were immedi-
ately heard, and there emerged from
among the trees the whilom prisoner,
alone. As he ranged up to the side of
his deliverer, the gold was handed
over, carefully counted. and then. with
low bow, the roober turned on his
heel, at once disappeared. without hav-
ing uttered word, and the consul and
his purchase were free TO depart.
Methwick hall was ablaze with light
on the evening of the heirs return 10
his ancestral home. The female por-
ton Of the family had spent the day
in alternately laughing and crying for
joy, and were now in state of intense
excitement, aDxiously awaiting the re-
turn of the carriage from the station
Presently the sound of wheels was
heard drawing up TO the door, and
mother and sisters rushing out, fell
upon Robert, Rugged him and kissed
him al half dragged, half carried
him into the house, but IL was not an
til after they had been for some time
assembled in the library that there
flashed across their minds the remem-
brance OF that horror that lay buried
beside the stream. His mother first
made the discovery.
why, Robert, you have two ears"
Two ears, mother. Have ! net al
ways had two?'
but we buried one OF them
Hon. Robert was evidently in the
dark, and when they explained he de-
clared (truthfully) that he knew moth
ing about It. AS word-painter he
proved a decided failure, considering
the adventures which they expected
him 10 recount He had nothing TO re-
late, simply monotony waiting for the
ransom, and, no matter how they piled
him with questions, he could tell them
nothing of the doings of the gang, for
he said he never saw any of them ex-
cept the one who had him in charge.
few days after his return, plead
ing the necessity of a visit TO West
End tailor, he travelled 20 London,
after receiving strict injunctions and
giving promise 10 shun his old haunts
and companions. Arrived in town, he
at once proceeded TO Tom Langton's
chambers, and his first words 70 his
chum were:
Il say, Tom, what about that ear,
and why wasn't | told of it?'
We'll, l thought you might object.
and as it was desirable 70 bring things
to climax, got it from the dissecting
room at the hospital through stu
dent"
1T took me quite by surprise when
they accused me of having two ears,
and told me they had buried U,e of
them. But how about ne money ,"
II have told the fellows that you
have negotiated a loan and empowered