The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-17
PART I.

Colonel Davidson was dying. The Old
traveller who bore the scars of nlahy
thrilling adventures. whose iron coIiSti-
tuition had stood by him during his
years of travel in far-off climes~Was
at last called upon to meet the newt
able. AS the gray head rolled rest
lessly to and fro on the white pillow.
the doctor and Mr.. Warner. the eol-
onel's old lawyer andl ife-long friehd.
stood sadly by and ministered to .the
wants Of the sufferer. until, as the INST
faint glimmer Of dawn came through
the open window. the soul Of the III
valid took its flight.
Colonel Davidson was a bachelor.
During his many years Of travel he
had picked up here and there odd cQr-
los, until his big, rambling house Vas
filled with an interesting collection that
was a never-failing source OF eT9er-
tainment to his friends. Less than an
hour before the colonel died he opehed
his eyes and turning toward the Old
lawyer, said with difficulty: "Warner.
after I'm gone I want you to see tha
the doctor gets that sword of mihe,''
He raised his hand and pointed to an
odd-looking weapon that hung over the
mantel. ITS a japanese affair.", ne
continued, feebly, land I've always
priced it because of its interesting MS
my papers. and don't fail to give tia +
to the doctor with the sword"
About a week after the colonel'S fu-
neral the doctor received the sword.
1t was securely wrapped, and with ir
was this note from Mr.. Warner:
MY Dear Doctor: 7 send you the
sword. The history does not accom-
pcny it because have not yet fouI1a it
among the coloners papers. 1t viii
doubtless come to light soon and viii
mail it to you at once. Sincerely yolts
Charles Alfred Warner"N'
The doctor undid the wrappings AID
examined the weapon curiously, Tor.
although he had often noticed it hang.
ing over the mantel of the colonel's ped-
room, he had never before had Oppor-
tunity to examine it closely. He noticed
as he unrolled 1t from the paper that il
had a musty odor, pleasantly suggest
i've of antiquity and strange adventure-
1t was an odd-looking old weapon
about thirty inches long. The scab-
bard was plain. Of wood covered With
thick, black hide, and heavily tipbed
with brass. The hilt was a circular
piece Of brass covered with Japa nes,.
letters and designs. On one side Of the
scabbard was flflat projection WHICH
n
narrow bladed hara- -kiri knife that ft-
ted snugly into q sheath made in the
side Of the scabbard. The blade Of this
knife was eight inches long, and so
much narrowed by repeated sharpeh-
ings that some characters engraved o,
the blade had been partly ground away
Slipping the hara-kiri knife again lhto
its socket, the doctor drew the sTVOrd
from the scabbard.
1t was an ugly-looking blade about
two feet long, perfectly plain, heavy,
and thick, with its edge ground down to
the sharpness Of a razor The handl.
was of metal, closely inlaid with minlt.
bits of colored sea shell and ingenious
ly wound with braided black silk, in an
open work 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 oristhaI
owners name, the doctor thought
The engraving on the other side was Of
such peculiar design as to excite the
doctors curiosity. In the center wert,
wavering flames Of fire from the nlidst
OF which rose the ugly heads Of fve
serpents their fangs protruding fronn
their mouths. This scene had the his
Ing sun for its background.
That's a suggestive design" thoueht
the doctor; certainly must have been
very confronting. suppose it's the
owners coat-of-arms. He must have
been a regular old tippler to hav,
chosen snakes for his crest. Perhans
he inherited them from drunke,,
grandfather. wish Mr.. Warner wolld
hurry up with the pedigree. Mean-
time I'm going to get some Of this en-
craving translated If can."
Bridget" he said, as that WORTHY
came In just then to fill the offce
lamp; do you know any Japanese
mani"
"Hiven sakes, mol" calculated Brid-
get, nearly dropping the lamp in her
astonishment at the question. Jan