The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-04-06
The Hand of
Buddha
Story of an Ivory Box and
What 1t Contained.
By CLARISSA MACKlE
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

When John Lawrence was in China
he sent me, among other curios, Il
quaint little box of carved ivory. 1t
was beautiful specimen of the car
ver's art-an airy fabric of delicateiy
wrought flowers. queer birds and inn
possible fishes. If the box really had
an opening The fastening was so art
fully concealed that could not find 1t.
One night some months later, on
returning home from the theater.
found my studio brilliantly lighted and
Lawrence occupying big chair before
the smolderlng fire.
Il returned today" he said In reply
to my delighted greeting Been wait
ing here since O'clock for you. Your
man said you had gone to the theater."
YES" replied, donning a dilapi-
dated smoking coat. Il have been To
see 'Nanette' and incidentally saw
Miss Farnha M"
I'VE are to be married in May" he
said without turning his head.
l swallowed my establishment, for
had not known they were engaged
pretty Miss Fafnham myself. In spite
of my chagrin | managed TO congratu-
late him warmly, and. Joining him he
fore the now replenished fire.
Where is that ivory box | sent YOU,
Dick y
Surprised aud somewhat embarrass-
ed. made no reply, but went to the
cupboard and brought the heavy little
box TO the table.
What the deuce Is the matter with
your he asked sharply rs the box
struck the table with a hollow. empty
sound.
Just what l want TO know. re.
Piled GROSSLY.
lie stretched out his hand Tor the
box ana tried TO raise 1t from the Ia
Die, ana then, as IL surprised at It's re
sistanee, he arose ana lifted 1t with
both hands, looking ut me queerly. As
he dropped the box and we heard the
hollow rattle as II struck the table
we both laughed neryously ana re
snmeu Out seats, ne staring INTO the
hre with VIDE open. startled eyes.
presently ne spoke:
Ihat box was given TO me by Il
wealthy ohiilaihah whom nave sooo
reason TO DeiieVe mated me intensely
perhaps with reason. 1t was such II
dainty bit OF carving that could no
resist accepting II. In fact, ! really
could not DO otherwise without infring-
ing their elaborate social laws. When
lie gave II to me OLD Van flnS told nue.
oil another pretty Dit OF carving owned
by his brother ehefu merchant,
lie gave me strip OF red paper Gov
cred with hierogiyphics ana toid me
that on presenting II TO MS brother.
the merchant, couid OBTAIN the chef-
lshed curio. Went 10 my room In
Parkerson's bungalow-you know l
was staying with Parkerson-and plae-
ed the box before me on the table 1t
did not weigh more than few ounces.
moment later my China boy entered
ana uttered a cry OF fear when he
saw the box, which he seemed to rec
ognize. He threw himself upon his
knees and begged me to take the box
away thhi u was aN' SOU anu 'hut
Ill luck would fall upon me and all
my house If harbored 1t moment.
When | laughed at him and told him
about the ivory hand that had been
promised to me thought he would
go out OF his MIND. lie pleaded thai
l would al least SEND the box to Amer
lea before going down to Chefn aft
er the other cnfio Perhaps was
little impressed by his actions; but.
anyway. my curiosity was aroused, and
SO agreed. and he happily packed
the little box among your case of
goods and watched with great salts
faction while the coolies rolled the
case into the hold of the ship. The
day after that went down to Chefu
and secured the hand of Buddha.
as the old man called 1t. He was
sly Old beegar and up to some devil
try. was positive, though not mus