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

10 the place where his presence WAS required.
In fact, the next day, as the clock struck tine,
an elegant calash presented itself before his
door Thevenet no longer hesisated, but
took his seat in the vehicle
$40 whose residence do you conduct mef"
said Theyenet to the coachman, as he seated
himself
Things unknown TO me am not concern
ed ior," returned the other
$50" said Iheyenet to himself, cit is an
Enslishman, chi" The coach proceeded, and
at length stopped before the door which the
note had described.
"Nho lives in this housep and who is the
patient am about TO visit?n asked Thcse-
net, as he descended. The coachman only
repeate the response that he had given TO
the first question, and our surgeon, now ra-
Their inpatient FASTENED to enter the house,
He was received at the vestibule by fine
looking young man Of about twenty eight
years of age, who conducted him to large
saloon in one Of the upper stories of the
house His accent plainly indicated that he
was citizen of England, and our surgeon
addressed him in the language of his coun-
try.
at is you, then, who have called me!" ex
claimed Theyenet
81 am very much obliged to you for the
trouble you have taken 10 vis, me-" said the
Briton. "If you wish any refreshment be.
fore you commence the operation, you will
find it on the table"
"Show me the patient. must first exa.
mine if the operation lie necessary"
at is necessary, NJ. Ihevenct Sit down
here,-I have every confidence in you ills
ten TO me then. This purse, containing one
hundred sulneas, is your compensation for
the operation which you are about to uader
take, whether the result he favorable OF not
If you refuse to comply with my request
you see this pstol--it is loaded you are In
my power"
what do you exact Of mep What am TO do
| herep"
You must cut of my right leg"
with all my heart, aud your head also. n
your leg is sound, for saw you ascend the
stairs with all the lightness imaginable. In
what is this fine limb de6cient?"
! "In nothing. desire only TO lose it,"
! ''Sir, you are fool,'
"Ihat does not concern you, III. Theve-
metz
"What disease, then affects your lege"
"None: But have you decided TO ampu
tate itp"
s'Sir, | know you not. Give me some
proof that your reason is not impaired"
"Will YOU comply with my demand, NJ.
, Thevenet?"
"When you have given lie a reasonable
motive for this mutation"
'Atpresent, may not tell you the truth
in year perhaps But, sir, will wager any
thing, you will then be convinced, that my
motives for dlsencumbering 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 no
thing now pray you, sir, believe me a man
Of honor"
San honorable man never forces his sur
geon to any operation by holding a loaded
pistol to his head. Besides, have duties to
fulfil, even towards you, who are unknown
TO me, and do not refuse you without rea-
sen. But, if you are DESTROYS to become the
murderer Of the father Of an innocent fani-
ly- here is one in your power--fire."
"Well, NJ. Thevenct," said The Briton, ia.
king the pistol, 81 will not fire; but know
how | can force youto amputate this leg
That which you will neither do at my re-
quest, nor for the love Of gain, nor fear Of
bullet, you viii al least not refuse to do for
humaDiiy's sake"
SHOW so, sli?"
81 am about to break my leg with this
weap on, and under your very eyes"
The Englishman sat down, and placed the
muzzle Of the pistol on his knee. Theyenct
darted forward toprevent this rash proceed
ing.
..Do not approach" said the Briton, tran
gully, .sor will fire. Answer iDe this ques.
tion-will you augment or usclessly prolons
10y suferingsP"
"Sir, you are fool. But your will be done;
am ready TO obey you"
all was soon ready for the operation; and
when the surgeon took his instruments, the
Brton lighted his pipe, and swore he would
smoke till the operation was finished. lie
kept his word. The leg lay upon the floor
without movement, and still the Iriton sme-
ked.
Thevenet pcrfo med the operation with a
sual ability, and in a short time, thanks TO
his care, the patient bad entiIciy recovered
| lie recompensed his surgeon, whom he es
tesmed more and more every day-tbankcd
him with tears in dis eyes for the loss of his
leg-and sailed for England, having one OF
his eXtremities eksd out with wood.
LOVE UNEQUALLED.
About two months after the Englishman's
departure. the surgeon received the following
letter from London
oYou will receive in this letter slight ev-
idencc Of my unbounded gratitude--a check
on nv Paris banker for two hundred and inf
~ o,;neas You have rendered me the hap