Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-10-01
THE LEG-A TRUE STORY.
Translated from the German for the Ne'c
Hampshire Sentinel.

| Translated from the German for the .Ne'o
Hampshire Sentinel.
In the autumn ofl7S2, Lewis Thevenet,
distinguished surgeon at Calais in France
received a billet without signature, request
ing him on the following day to repair to a
public house 1ot far of, with such lnstru-
ments as were necessary for an amPuta-
ton.
Thevenet was somewhat surprised at the
manner of the invitation, but concluding
that it was the work Of some wag, paid no
regard toit. Three days after he received
a second invitation, still more pressing,
and containing the information that the
nett day, at nine o'clock, a carriage would
stop before his house in order to convey
linn.
Thevenet concluded to LET the affair
take It's course; and when on the follow
imp day, an elegant carriage stopped be
fore his door, he seated himself in it, and
asked the driver ''tO whom he was to
carry him?" The driver replied in En-
glish, "What do not know, | cannot tell"
At length the carriage stopped before the
designated public house. A handsome
young man of about twenty eight years Of
age received the surgeon at the door, and
conducted him up the stairs into large
chamber, where they held the following di-
alogue:
TRecenet.-You have sent for me.
EngEshmaR.-I am much obliged to you
for the trouble you have taken to visit me-
Here are coffee, chocolate and wine, il
you would take any thing before the opera
ton.
T.--Show me the patient, Sir, must Is
ascertain whether the injury is such as t.
render amputation necessary.
E.-Itis necessary, Mr.. Theyenet, sea
yourself | have perfect confidence in yOJ
listen to me. Here is a purse of l0I
guineas; this is the pay you will receive
for the operation. If done successfully
it is yours. Should you refuse to com
ply with my wishes, see, here is a pistol
You are in my power; | will shoot yOI
dead.
T.-Sir, | am not afraid Of your pistols
But what IS your particular desire; tell m,
without preamble.
E. You must cut off my right leg.
With all my heart; and if vol
please your head too. But the leg is sound
You sprang up stairs Just now with the a
gihty ola dancing master. What ais you
legl
E.-Nothing. ! only want it off
T.--Sir, you are fool.
E.-Why does that trouble YOU Theye
net.
T.-Whatsi sin has the leg committed
E.-None; but are you ready to tax,
! it off,
TT do not know. Bring me evidence
that you are of a sound mind.
E.-Will you comply with my request
T.-Yes, Sir, 80 soon as you give M
sufficient reasons for such a mutllation o
Yourself
Ell cannot tell you the truth for som
years; but will lay wager that after
certain time you shall understand that m
reasons are most noble-that my happi
ness, my very existence, depend upon be
| ing freed from this leg.
T.-Sir, / lay no wagers. Tell me you
name, residense, family and occupation.
E.-You shall know all hereafter. ID
you take me for an honorable manl
Tt cannot, a man Of honor does no
threaten his physicians with pistols. hav
duties towards you as a stranger. wi
not mutiIate you. If you wish to be tn
murderer of a gulltless father Of a family
then shoot.
E.-Wen, Mr.. Theyenet | will no
shoot you: butt will force you to take Of
my leg. That which you will not do for tn
love ofmy money, nor the fear Of bullets
you shall do from compassion.
T.-And how 500
Ell will break my leg by dischargini
my pistols, and here before your eyes.
The Englishman seated himself, an,
placed the mouth Of the pistol close to hi
knee. Thevenet was on the point Q
springing TO prevent him, but he replied
stir not, or fire. Now, says he, will yor
increase and lengthen out my pains 70
nothingl
You are a fool, says Thevenet, but
shall be done. will take Of the unfortu
nate leg. The Englishman calmly lai'
down the pistol, and all was made read
for the operation. As soon as the surgeon
began to cut, the Englishman lighted hi
pipe, and swore it Shouts not 20 out. H'
kept his word. The leg lay upon the foo
and the Englishman was still smoking
Thevenet did his work like a master; the
rr-orr0d h. - -T-.n H. ~.t,.rf1o orrgr