am more
grave than others. You see that I have lost my left hand; this came
not to me at my birth, but I lost it in the most unhappy days of my
life. Whether I bear the fault thereof, whether I am wrong to be more
serious than my condition in life would seem to make me, you must
decide, when I have told you the STORY OF THE HEWN-OFF HAND."

[Illustration]

THE STORY OF THE HEWN OFF HAND.

I was born in Constantinople; my father was a Dragoman of the Ottoman
Porte, and carried on, besides, a tolerably lucrative trade in
essences and silk goods. He gave me a good education, since he partly
superintended it himself, and partly had me instructed by one of our
priests. At first, he intended that I should one day take charge of
his business: but since I displayed greater capacity than he expected,
with the advice of his friends, he resolved that I should study
medicine; for a physician, if he only knows more than a common quack,
can make his fortune in Constantinople.

Many Frenchmen were in the habit of coming to our house, and one of
them prevailed upon my father to let me go to the city of Paris, in
his fatherland, where one could learn the profession gratuitously, and
with the best advantages: he himself would take me with him, at his
own expense, when he returned. My father, who in his youth had also
been a traveller, consented, and the Frenchman told me to hold myself
in readiness in three months. I was beside myself with delight to see
foreign lands, and could not wait for the moment in which we should
embark. At last the stranger had finished his business, and was ready
to start.

On the evening preceding our voyage, my father conducted me into his
sleeping apartment; there I saw fine garments and weapons lying on the
table; but what most attracted my eye was a large pile of gold, for I
had never before seen so much together. My father embraced me, and
said,

"See, my son, I have provided thee with garments for thy journey.
These weapons are thine; they are those which thy grandfather hung
upon me, when I went forth into foreign lands. I know thou canst wield
them; but use them not, unless thou art attacked; then, however, lay
on with right good-will. My wealth is not great; see! I have divided
it into three parts: one is thine; one shall be for my support, and
spare money in case of necessity; the third shall be sacred and
untouched by me, it may serve thee in the hour of need." Thus spoke my
old fat