Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-06-30

"NN'' Ahts Htf urdF utNC0ct, i was hannw
enough 10 please her,--she did not hide 4
fem me, bot obstinately refused to arcent
my hand. la vain conjured her to compiy
Ito make me the most fortunate of men
IN vain her friends joined their entreates
with mine. She remained iirm--hcr resolu-
ton could not be shaken.
at was long ere | could discover the cause
oil her diversions TO union, that she herself
aFowed would place her At the summit Of
happsess Atiast one of her sisters disco
vered to me the fatal secret Miss Harley
possessed charms the most attractive--but
she had the misfortune TO have only one leg;
and for this reason, had condemned herself
to eternal celbacy
My resolution was instantly taken. re-
solved TO resemble her in one particular at
least; thanks TO you, my dear Thevenet, I
became SOL ] returned to London with
wooden leg. My iirstcare was TO be Inform
ed of Miss Haiicy--lor the rumor has been
spread, and mysclf bad written to England,
that IN consequence Of falling from = horse,
had broken my leg so badly as to render
ampuiatlon necessary. j was generally pitt
ed; Emily fell scnseless the FIRST time she
saw me alter my return and was long in
consolidate Tor my loss; bit at length consent
ed that our nupials should take II was not
until the day after the ceremony that ac-
knowledgcd the sacrifice had made for her
sake. She loves me with the more ardour for
IT, o. my good Thcvenet-if had ten legs
to lose, would give them all without con.
torton, for Emily.
AS long as live, depend upon my graft
tude Come to London. and remain some
time with us, learn TO appreciate the virtues
OF my charming Emily. and then dare stu
to say that was .foeu
"CHARLES TEMPLE"
The surgeon communicates this letter and
adventure TO his friends. aud laughed heard
ly each time he related it. "He is not the
less fool for all," he used always to add
He replied in these tsrms TO the letter Of his
English friend:
''Sm;-I thank you FOR your generous pre-
seat, for can call il by no other nane, tho
J draft which your letter contained; as / was
| already magnihcenily paid for what youhays
| been pleased TO call my trouble
81 wish yourself and charming wife much
| happiness.in your union. II is true that to
| give leg fer aiady, tender and affectionate.
and virtuons, is not too much, if the happi-
| ness should last. 1t cost Adam one of his
| ribs for the possession of Eve, and il is more
! than one man whom il has cost head to be
possessed Of his mistress. Notwithstanding
| all this, however, pray you, allow me to
hold my first opinion. Doubtless for the time
being, you may be right, for you are at this
moment in thetflll enjoyment Of the honey
moon. But have not the less truth on my
side, with this difference, that its correctness
can only be tested by the time, like many o.
Their facts which we arc not willing at this
day TO admit.
'.Remember this, sir. ! fear that In two
years you will repent not having the ampu-
tation performed below the knee. You will
End tbat-it might have been cut off stilllow-
er. In three years, you will become satisf-
ed, that the loss of afoot would have sufficed.
After four years, you win think great toe
all sufficient. After five, you win hold to the
little finger: and finally, you will be entirely
satisfied. that TO lose single nail, without
thereais actual necessity for the same, is an
| egregious folly.
s.All this is.said without attempting to de,
tract particle from the merit Of your siide-
sa,itee a,ortie. Inmy youth, Il would have gil
wen my life any day, for my mistress, but
never my leg. For should have feared re-
penling it the rest Of my life. In fact, had
done so. each,moment would find me saying
to myself, "Thevenet thou art fool"
II have the honor to be, &c.