The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1827-02-09
THE BROKEN LEG.

IdE BhOkEN Leu.
Bonnard appeared at all times, and every
where before midday, prudent and amiable
man but after dinner, and in the evening, he
waa not always precisely so. In fact, he was
a true son of the ancient Germans so often re-
preached for love of drinking, and knew no
greater enjoyment than that of giving, amidst
convivial friends the inspiring swigs, Enjoy
the charm Of life'-With laurel crown the
flowing bowl,"-and of emptying out a flask
of good old Hook as an accompaniment. Had
he been satisfied with one flask, nobody would
have right to say aught against him, espe-
cially as his income permitted it: but one flask
was sure to call for another, even to "a sixth
or seventh.
The mother, sisters, and brothers with
whom he resided, had the modification of
seeing him return home six evenings in the
week, perfectly intoxicated. Their most ur
gent remonstrances were fruitless, and they
began to think that his drunkenness was incu-
rable. Laura, his sweetheart, thought so too,
for, after innumerable quarrels, breech was
at length made between the lovers, who in
deed were almost as much as betrOthed.> y
Hitherto, he had. from respect to Laura.
maintained at least the outward appearance
Of good manners; but now he became a
shameless and notorious drunkard. Almost
every night he either had scuf1e with watch
men, or slept of lis intoxication in round
house. His health thereby began vsibly to
be injured, and his fortune to melt away. In
short, he was upon the brink of ruin.
Two his friends, who, although they Of
ten drank with him, always kept themselves
within the bounds Of moderation, were much
grieved at his conduct, and resolved to re-
claim the drinker, by method not the most
common in the world. With this view they
one evening accompanied BOnnard to public
wine cellar, and appeared in particularly high
spirits. Old Hook was called for, and they
encouraged him to quaff as much of it as he
liked, and that was no small dose. He drank
himself into the clouds.
About midnight his two friends began to
yawn, shut their eyes, seemed TO fall asleep
Bonnard was delighted. for he could now
drink another flask without being reproved by
them. Before, however he had finished it, in
length fell, deprived of reason, into sound Il
deathlike sleep.
His friends instantly started up from their
pretended slumber, shook and logged him,
and, to their great joy, found that he exhibit
ted no symptoms of wakefulness. By sign
which was previously agreed upon, they now
called in a surgeon, who was waiting in the
adjoining apartments. He Immediately enter
ed, bringing with him splints and other imple-
ments for broken leg, and soon laced up the
right limb Ofthe sleeper. as tightly as lift had
been most dangerously fractured. They then
Spanked water upon his face, and gave a
fearful laundering cry.
The sleeper started up-seized instantly hrs
leg which the splints squeezed, and wished to
rise from his char; his friends, however, held
him fast, crying out, Unfortunate man stir
not, you have received dangerous confusion.
We had scarcely fallen asleep, when, attempt
ing to go down stairs, you broke your leg, and
tainted. We awakened, raised you up, and
caused you to be dressed. In Heavens name,
stir not for your life We have ordered lit
ter, and it will be here Immediately to carry
you home."
Bonnard was delirious-his fancy magnified
the pressure Of the splnts to the pain of real
broken limb, and never once imagining that
he was deceived, permitted himself to be
borne home lamenting.
There, his family received him,as was con-
certed, with tears and wailings. For four
weeks he continued to be visited by the sur
geon, who kept his leg squeezed into case,
SO that he could not move himself, and did not
doubt the reality Of the alleged accident. So
long an imprisonment was intOlerable--he
cursed wine as the cause Of his misfortunes,
and made solemn vow never to get drunk
in future.
At the expiration Of month, the surgeon
informed him the cure was completed. He
went as if upon eggs to save his broken leg
and his first walk was to the house Of his
sweetheart, whom he anxiOusly entreated to
forget the past, and once more to reinstate
him in her affections. She promised both
on condition Of temperate prcbation~ HI