Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-05-20
Finger Rings.

u,
or who was its possessor is point
on which history cannot enlighten
us. Evidence hes been discovered
OF its existence among the earliest
races, and numerous shecimens have
been dicovered i'm the oldest pyra-
mids. Although the origin of the
ring is thus unknown, the Greeks
supply pretty story to fill the de-
iiciency. 1t is that after Jupiter
had decreed that Prometheus should
remain bound to the rock for 80, 900
years he relented, and wished to
Tree the prisoner So he ordered n
ring of iron to be made, in which
was set small piece of the rock.
This was placed upon the finger of
Prometheus, who thus remained
tiguratively bound to the rock.
In the days when the impress of a
mans signet ring was recognized
everywhere as his signature genuine
beyond doubt, it was looked upon
as If Of priceless value, and guarded
with jealous cae. If one should
happen to fall into the hands of an
enemy it could work unlimited mis-
y
!uto was the rule Of the Signet ring
that when Alexander the Great
wished to nominate one of his
generals, Perdiccas, as his successor,
he handed him his signet ring, and
the power and authority of Alex
ander passed with the ring to Per-
diccas.
The custom Of placing the ring dur
ing the marriage ceremony upon
the fourth finger of the bride comes
from the ancient Romans. 1t was
the belief with them and other ma
tions of that time that a vein ex-
tended from the fourth finger of the
left hand to the heart, and for that
reason the fourth finger received the
ring.
AT various times rings have been
regarded by the superstitious as be.
ing of great value in overcoming and
preventing sickness and misfortune.
Some bore magic words, each posses
sing certain virtue of its own. a
piece of elk horn in a ring would, it
was believed, cure epilepsy. Rings
made of composition of iron and
quicksilver were worn to prevent
headache. Sapphire in ring was
sure preservative against poison
and would also procure favor with
those in authority, and pacify ene-
mics. Lord Ruthven once offered
to Mary Qeen of Scots RUG, which
he said, would guard her against the
fatal effects of poisons.
But in contradistinction to the good
effects of these amulets was the ring
which Cesare Borgia is said to have
worn. Whenever he grasped the
hand of friend" by pressing a
spring in his ring he could inject a
powerful poison into the palm of the
"friendn so favored and within a
few hours the victim would come to
sudden end.
a ring of pure gold, valued at
$4,000 and weighing full pound, was
presented to Franklin Pierce before
his inauguration. 1t was tho gift of
anumbG- 2fcitiZens of San Francisco,
and contained nine pictures illustra-
ting different periods in the history
of California.
Rings have long been regarded as
suitable gifts of friendship or esteem.
Washington bequeathed to five of his
relatives and friends each ring
valued at 500. "These beQuests are
not made for the intrinsic value of
them," the will states, "but as me-
mentOes of my esteem and regard"
Shakespeare remembered his fellow
players or I" my poor fellows,' as he
terms them in like manner. His will
directs that they be allowed "20
shlllings 8 pence apiece to buy them
rings"
Not TO BE BEATEN.-An anus.
ing story is related in the New York
independent of a farmer who came
into village store in one of our
Western States and exhibited to an
admiring crowd an enormous egg
about six inches long, which was
laid by one of his old hens. He had
1t packed in cotton, and wouldn't
allow anybody to handle it for fear
of breaking the phenomenon. The
groceryman examined it with the
rest, and, intending to chaff the
countryman, said:
Pshaw! I've got something in
the egg line that will beat that"
"Pll bet you five dollars you hav.
not" said the countryman, getting
excited.
"Take it up," said the grocery
man and going behind the counter
he brought out a wire egg.beater
"There's something in the egg Line
that will beat it, guess" said he
reaching for the stakes.
Hold on there !" said the farmer
"let's see you beat it." and handed i
to the grocer.
The latter held out his hand for it
but dropped it in surprise on the
the counter, where it broke TIVE
soup plates and platter. 1t was o
iron, painted white.
"Some folks think they are tarna
tiOn cute" muttered the farmer, a.
he pocketed the stakes and left, "bu
tain't no use buckin' ag'inst the solit
facts"
A REPUTATION FOR FORAGING.-
| During the rebplIiOn tha Nipeteentl