The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1905-11-24
RING THE CURSE OF SPAIN
Simple Band Is Known as "Mephis-
to's" and Brings Misfortune
to Dynasty.

There Is always distinction and q
sort of pride in possessing something
which no one else has, even II that
something Is reputed to be 4 ciispenser
of misfortune and history can show
that the possessor Is sure to get into
trouble through It. Until very re
Gently the Spanish royal family was
In this unenyiable position and this
lasted from abou: the middle of the
sixteenth century until after the time
OF the SpanlshAmerican war.
This unique but unfortunate posses
sion Is nothing more or less than an
innocentlooking but rather wonder
full ring. and because It Is reputed to
be the carrier Of III luck II has been
dubbed "Mephistos ring" In appear
ance It Is similar to an ordinary mar
riage band Of solid gold with the ex
ception that II is set with a large and
perfect emerald, the center of which
has been followed ont and contains
ruby so cut as to 1T exactly. Around
these at the edge OF the emerald are
alternately set pearls and diamonds OF
about the size of pin heads
Although this ring Is said to be
quite valuable and to have a wonderful
history attached to It, no one can be
found In Spain who Is willing to take
II oven as gift, and this because II
Is universally known what "Mephisto's
ring" means
This evil ornament came into Span.
ish possession mt the time OF the reign
Of Philip H.. but how no one seems
TO know, History tells that during the
| eign of this monarch and those OF
his successors, Philip III. and Philip
", the country was slowly but surely
on the decline. This ring was In the
possession of all these kings. From
the reign Of Philip ~. to that OF
Charles ". the ring cannot be traced,
| but Il then again springs into exist.
| once, and history tells OF the dis.
aSt:ous wars between Spain and Eng.
| land during the time Of the last.named
monarch
Next Philips son. who assembled the
| Spanish throne as Ferdinand H., Is
taken prisoner by Napoleon and the
| Spanish throne ~ given TO the brother
| of the French emperor. Then comes
the CarlIst rebellion under Fcrdnands
! daughter. isabella H., and the hantsh.
mont of Queen Christina; the war with
| the Moors; the banishment OF Queen
| Isabella In 1865. the general scenes
| of anarchy and bloodshed during the
years OF 1873 and 1874. and finally the
quarrcls between Spain ard her colo,
MES, which resulted in the disastrous
Spanish-American war,
Al the time of the commencement Of
the recent war between Spain and the
! United States this ring was presented
by the Spanish royal family to u
church in the hope that having q re-
ligiOuS institution a. It's owner its evil
effects would be averted This did
nothing toward changing It's influence,
for almost Immediately after It's recep.
ton by the church this house of wor
ship was burned to the ground and
the ring was thereupon returned to
its donor
II was then given to n museum, but
| like the church, this was also destined
to receive harm, for it was twice "a
thing said never to happen) struck by
lightning The ring was again re.
turned to the Spanish royal family,
where 1t remained for some time The
last defeat OF the Spanish army and
navy Is claimed to be due to this ring
At present no one will take the re.
sronsibility Of the ownership Of this
jewel, so 1t has been placed In strong
box and secretly buried.