The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-29
THE HARA-kIRI.
\
BY III. WORTHlNOTON PAIGE, M. D.
Bachene Syndirel

Icoprish. .sss. by the Bachelor syndle.,s.l


PART I.
Col. Davidson was dying. The old
traveller who bore the scars of many
thrilling adventures, whose iron consti-
tuition bad stood by him during his
years of travel in far-off climes - was
at last called upon TO meet the in
evitable. AS the gray head rolled rest
lcssly 10 and fro on the white pillow,
the doctor and Mr. Warner, the colonel's
old lawyer and lifelong friend, stood
sadly by and ministered TO the wants
OF the sufferer, until, as the first faint
plimrncr of dawn came through the
omen window, the soul of the invalid
took its fight
Col. Davidson was q bachelor. Dur
ing his many years of travel he had
picked up here and there odd curios, un-
til his big. rambling house was filled
with an interesting collection that was
never-failing source of entertainment
TO his friends. Less than an hour be-
fore the colonel died he opened his eyes
and turning toward the old lawyer said
with difficulty: warner, after I'm
g-one want you TO see that the doctor
gets that sword of mine" He raised his
hand and pointed to an odd-looking
weapon that hung over the mantel. Its
a japanese affair" he continued. feebly,
"and I've always priced it because of
its interesting history. You'll find the
story of il among my papers, and don't
fail TO give that to the doctor with the
sword"
About a week after the colonels fu-
neral the doctor received the sword.
II was securely wrapped, and with it
was this note from Mr.. Warner:
my Dear Doctor: i send you the sword.
Tho history does not accompany IL be-
cause .1ve not yet found IL among the
coloneio lapors. II viii doubtless come 10
light soon and will mail 1t TO you at once.
Sincerely yours,
"CKARLES ALFRED WARMER"
The doctor undld The wrappings and
examined the weapon curiously, for,
although he had often noticed it hang
ing over the mantel of the colonel's bed
room. he had never before had oppor-
tunity 10 examine Il closely. He noticed
rs be unrolled Il from the paper that it
had musty odor, pleasantly suggest
i've of antiquity and strange adventure.
1t was IN odd-lool.ing old weapon
about thirty inches long. The scab-
bard was plain. OF wood covered with
thick. black hide, and heavily tipped
With brass. The hilt was n circular
piece of brass covered with japanese
letters and designs. On one side OF the
scabbard was n fat projection which
the doctor found TO be the handle Of a
narrow-bladcd hara-liri knife, that flt-
tedsnugly intoa sheath made in the side
OF the scabbard. The blade of this
knife wns eight inches long, and so
much narrowed by wpeated sharpen
ings that rome Characters engraved on
the blade had been partly ground away
Slipping the hara-lSiri knife again into
it's socket, the doctor drew the sword
from the scabbard.
4 IT was M pgly-loolSing blade about
two feet long, perfectly plain, heavy
and thicl, with It's edge ground down 20
the sharpness OF razor. The handle
was of metal. closely inlaid with minute
bits of colorcd sea shell and ingenious.
ly wound with braided black silk, in an
opcnwork design showing the inlaid
handle beneath
Set firmly into each side of the
handle was small metal plate. One
had letters engraven on it, the original
owners maine. che doctor thought
The engraving on The other was of such
peculiar design as TO excite the doc
tors curiosity. In the center were
wa"ering flames OF fire from the midst
OF which rose the ugly heads of five
scrrcrts, their fangs protruding from
.iclr mouths. This scene had the rs-
ing srn for it's background.
"Thet's n suggestive design" thought
the Doctor; "ccrtainly must have been
very comforting. / suppose it's the
owners coat-of-arms. lie must have
been regular Old tippler to have
chosen snahcs for his crest Perhaps
lie Inherited them from q drunken
grandfather 7 wish Mr.. Warner would
hurry up with the pedigree Mean.
time Tn going 20 get some of this en-.
graving translated il can"
"Drdret." he said. rs that worthy
cerne in just then TO fiji the office
lamp; do you know any japanese
mar ?"
"IIiven saiSes, mol" calculated Bird.
get, nearly dropping the lamp in her
astonishmcnt ut the question. "Jap-
inasc mon indadc." she shifted. "an
phwat wud / be- wantin' OF Japnase
mon? Shurc mn haven't enough TO DO
wild looking afthcr the hathen o. my
own country widout huntin' up cells
chils?"
Il know YOU have" replied the doc
tor laughing. Its not for YOU but
myself wanted him. | thought you
might know where could find one"
"lndadc Oi do not" said Hridget,
somewhat mollifed, "or .Iapinase VIM
in nather, unless il be Timme wud do
ye."
"Just the mani" exclaimed the doc