Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-06-20

venets 1
.Wheu YOU have given me reasonable mo
tive for this mutilation."
cat present, may not tell you the truth-in
wear perhaps-But. sir, will wager any thing,
you will then be convinced, that my motives fur
disencumbering myself Of this limb, were of the
most noble nature"
81 will do nothing. unless know your name,
residence, rank. and family"
"You will learn all that one day, but nothing
now. pray you, sir, believe Tie man Of hoi-
or.
GAN honorable man never forces his surgeon
to any operation by holding loaded pistol to his
head Besides, have duties to fulfil, even to-
wards you, who are unknown to me. and do not
refuse you without reason. But, if you are de-
sirous to become the murderer Of the father OF an
innocent family; here is one in your power~hre."
"Well, NJ. Thevenet," said the Briton, taking
the pistol, Il will not fire; but know how eau
force you to amputate this leg. That which you
will neither do at my request, nor for the love OF
gain, nor fear of bullet. you will not al least
refuse to do for humanity's sake"
How so. sir?"
81 am rbout to break my leg with this wear
pom, and under your very eyes.
The Englishinan sat down, and placed the
muzzle of the pistol on his knee. Thevenet dart
/" Do not approach" said the Brton, TRANQUILITY,
or will hrc Answer me this questioli-wlll
YOU augment Or uselessy prolons my snfferlnss'"
Sir, you are fool! But YOUR will be done:
an ready to obey vou."
All was soon ready for the operation; and
when the surgeon took his instruments, the iirlon
lighted his pipe, and swore he would smoke I'LL
the operation was finished. lie kept his word.
The leg lay upon the floor without movement,
and still the Briton smoked.
Thevenet performed the operation with usual
ability: and III short time, thanks to his care,
the patient had entlrely recovered. He recon-
pcnsed his surgeon. whom he esteemed more and
more every day-thanked him with tears in his
ewes for the loss of his leg-and sailed Cor Eng
land, having one Of his extremities eked out with
wood.
About two months after the Enslishman's de-
parture, the surgeon received the following let
ter FROM London
You will receive in this letter slight evil
dence of my unbounded gratitude--a check on
my Paris banker for two hundred and fifty gut
meas. You have rendered me the bappiest OF
mortals, by removing the only obstacle to my
happiness.
{" Learn now the cause which prompted Inc TO
sacrifice, that, at the time, you thought foolish.
You pretended that there could exist no reason-
able motive for u muulation like mine. pro-
posed wager, which think you acted prudent
iy in not accepting.
=. After my second return from the West In
dies, became acquainted with Emily Harley,
the most accomplished of women. | sought her
hand-her fortune and family suited mine: on
ly thought of her celestial goodness. An my
dear Thevenet, was happy enough to please her:
she did not hide it from ne. but obstlnately re-
fused to accept nv hand. In vain | conjured
her to comply-tO make me the most Fortunate
of men-in vain her friends joined their entreat-
les with NINE She remained frm-her resolu-
ton could not be shaken.
-. 1t was long ere could discover the cause OF
her ayersiOns to union, that she herself avow-
ed would place her at the summit of happiness.
At last one of her sisters discovered TO me the
fatal secret. Miss Harley possessed charms the
most attractve-but she had the misfortune to
have only one leg; and, for this reason, had con-
demned herself to eternal celibacy!
..My resolution was instantly taken. resolv-
ed to resemble her in one particular at least;
thanks to you, my dear The'enet, became so!
| returned to London with wooden leg. My
first care was to DC informed of Miss Harley
for the rumor had been spread, and myself had
written to England, that in consequence OF fall
ing from horse, had broken my leg so badly
as TO render anpu'aton necessary. was gene
rally pied: Emily fell senseless the first time
she saw me FER NV return-anj was long incon-
solabe FOR nv loss; but at length consented that
our nupuals should take place. twas not until
the day after the ceremony that acknowledged
the sacrifice had made for her sake. She loves
me with the more ardor for it. o! my good The
venet-if had ten legs to lose, would give
them all without contortion, for Emily.
''As long as live, depend upon my gratitude.
Come to London. remain some time with Us. learn
to appreciate the virtues of my charming Emily.
aud then dare still to say that was .fo0G
"CHARLES TEMPLE"
The surgeon communicated this letter and adj
venture to his friends, aud laughed heartily each
time he related it. .slie is not the less a fool
for ALL" he used always TO add. He replied in
these terms to the letter of his English friend:
''SIR--I thank YOU for your generous present,
for can call it by other name. the draft which
your letter contained, as was already masnif
Gently paid for what you have been pleased 10 call
my trouhlp