Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-06-10
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND. FRIDAY MORNING. JUNE TO- 1910.
The Hand of !
Buddha 5
story of an Ivory Box and
What 1t Contained.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE
Copyright. 1870 by American Press
Association,

ASboCiAtlon. /
O-O-O-O-O-OO-O-O-O-O-O-O
When John Lawrence was in China
he sent me. among other curios,
quaint little box OF carved ivory. It
was a beautiful specimen of the car
ver's art-an airy fabric OF delicately
wrought flowers, queer birds and i'm
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 smoldering fire
81 returned today" he said In reply
to my delighted greeting, Been wait
ing here since o O'clock for you. Your
man said you had gone to the theater."
yes" replied, donnlng dilapi-
dated smoking coat, 81 have been to
see 'Nanette and incidentally saw
Miss Farnham."
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
and, In fact, was deeply interested In
pretty Miss Farnham myself In spite
Of my chagrln managed to congratu-
late him warmly, and, Joining him be-
fore the now replenlshed fire.
Where is that IVORY box sent you,
DickT
Su,,,riaa1 nnh san,axuhat a,nha rTa q {.
ed. l made no reply, but went to the
cupboard and brought the heavy little
box to the table.
What the deuce is the matter with
you" he asked sharply as the box
struck the table with a hollow, empty
sound
Just what want to know" re-
Piled GROSSLY.
He stretched out his hand for the
box and tried to raise It from the ia
BILE, and then as II surprised at its re-
sistance, he arose and lifted 1t with
both hands, looking at me queerly. As
he dropped the box aud we heard the
hollow rattle as 1t struck the table
we both laughed nervously and re-
sumed out seats he staring into the
fire with wide open. startled eyes.
Presently he spoke:
THAT box was given to me by a
wealthy Chinaman whom ! have good
reason to believe hated me intensely
perhaps with reason. 1t was such q
dainty bit OF carving that could not
resist accepting II. In fact, really
could not do otherwise without infring
ing their elaborate social laws. When
he gave II to me old Van Ping told me
OF another pretty bit OF carving, owned
by his brother. Chefu merchant.
He gave me II strip OF red paper Gov
cred with hleroglyphics and told Inc
that on presenting II to his brother.
the merchant could obtain the cher
ished curiO. | went to my room In
Parkerson's bungalow-yOu know
was staying with Parkerson-a and plac-
ed the box before me on the table. II
did not weigh more than few ounces.
A moment later my China boy entered
and uttered 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; that Il was accused and that
Ill luck would fall upon me and all
my house II harbored It a moment.
When laughed at him and told him
about the ivory hand that had been
promised to me | thought he would
20 out OF his mind. lie pleaded that
I would at least send the box to Amer
lea before going down to Chefu aft
er the other curio Perhaps | was
q little impressed by his actions; but,
anyway, my curiosity was aroused, and
50 | 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 It. He was q
sly old beggar and up to some devil
try, was positive, though not q mus
Gle OF his oily, yellow countenancc
moved when | presented my letter.
The hand | have brought home with
me, and. In spite OF my China boys
warning that | would suffer unimag-
Unable Ill fortune II | ever brought
the two objects, the hand and the boz,
together. It II my intention to do that
very thing tonight. The hand is pack
ed In my bag, and want you to come
around to LAY rooms now and bring
the box, and we will find what In the
devil that old rascal was up to IL II
wasn't all bosh."
I assented reluctantly enough, for l
was rather bored by the mysterious
box and just Il bit down In the mouth
about the news Of his engagement.
Nov that you have consented" he
said coolly, I'm read you the letter
which Van Ping sent to bis brother
or course these chaps exercise q lot
Of hocus pocus In all their Affairs, and
was somewhat amused at the ides
Of their evident desire to work me "
into q fright. After the old merchant
had read the letter had 1t translated
1t seemed to throw the translator int
a spaSm az he read IT," He drew
from letter case a thin strip OF red
paper and slowly read "'Giye 10 thu
accursed American the hand Of Bud
dha. He has the sacred box. Tbs
serpent grows rapidly"
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