The native American., 1838-02-03

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. He kept his word.
The leg lay upon the floor without movement,
and still the Briton smoked.
| Thevenet performed the operation with his
usual ability; and in short time, thanks to his
care, the patient had entirely recovered. He re-
compensed the surgeon, whom he esteemed more
and more every day--thanked him with tears in
his eyes for the loss of his leg-and sailed for
England, having one Of his extremites eked out
with wood
About two months after the Englshman's de-
parture, the surgeon received the following letter
from London:--
You will perceive in this letter slight evi-
dence Of my unbounded gratitude check on
my Paris banker for two hundred and fifty gnineas.
You have rendered me the happiest of mortals,
by removing the only obstacle 10 my happiness.
Learn now the cause which prompted me to a
sacrifice, that, at the time, you thought foolish.
ou pretended that there could exist no reasona-
BILE motive for mutilation like mine. / pro-
posed a wager, which, think you acted pru-
dently in not accepting.
AFTER my second return from the West Indies,
became acquainted with Emily Harley, the
most accomplished Of women. | sought her
hand--her fortune and family suited mine: I only
thought Of her celestial goodness. All! my dear
Ihevenet, was happy enough to please her; she
did not hide 1t from me, but obstnately refused to
accept my hand. In vain conjured her to com
ply--to make me the most fortunate Of men--in
vain her friends joined their entreates with mine.
She remained frm-her resolution could not be
shaken.
1t was long ere could discover the cause of
her aversion to a union, that she herself avowed
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
attractive-but she had the misfortune to have
only one leg; and, for this reason, had condemned
herself to eternal celibacy
MY resolution was instantly taken. resolved
to resemble her in one particular at least; thanks
to you, my dear Thevenet became SO! re-
turned to London with wooden leg. My first
care was to be informed of Miss Harley--for the
rumor had been spread, and myself had written
to England, that in consequence of falling from
horse, had broken my leg so badly as to render
amputation necessary. | was generally pitied;
Emily fell senseless the first TIME she saw me
after my return-and was long inconsolable for
my loss; but at length consented that our nuptals
should take place. 1t was not until the day after
the ceremony that / acknowledged the sacrifice |
had made for her sake. She loves me with more
ardor for it. o! my good Thevenet-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,
and then dare still to say that was foOI.'
CHARLES TEMPLE
The surgeon communicated this letter and adj
venture to his friends, and laughed hearty each
time he related it. He 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:
'SlR:-I thank you for your generous present,
for can call it by no other name, the draft which
your letter contained, as I was already magnif-
Gently paid for what you have been pleased to call
my trouble.
i wish yourself and your charming wife much
happiness in your union 1t is true, that to give
leg for lady, tender, afectionate, and virtuous
is not too much, if the happiness should last. It
cost Adam one of his ribs for the possession Of
Eve: and it is more than one man whom it had
cost head to be possessed Of mistress, Not
|withstandng 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 the enjoyment of the honey noon
But have not the less truth on my side; with
this difference, that its correctness can only be
tested by time, like many other facts that we are
not willing at this day to admit.
Remember this, sir! fear that in two years
you will repent not having the amputation per-
formed below the knee. You will find that it
might have been cut off still lower. In three
years, you will become satisfied, that loss of a
foot would have sufficed. After four years, you
will think great toe all sufficient. After FIVE, you
will hold to the little fnger and finally, you will
be entirely satisfied, that to lose single nail, with
out there is actual necessity for the same, is an
egregous folly
All this is said without attempting to detract
a particle from the merit of your suidesante NOR
tie. In my youth, would have given my life
any day for my mistress, but never my leg; for
should have feared repenting it the rest Of my
life. In fact, had done so, each moment would
have found me saying tomyself, sThevenet, thou
art fool! | have the honor to be, &c.
| Il. THEVENET.'
sln the year 1892, the Surgeon Of Calais, ac
cused of aristocratic sentiments by one of his
young professional associates, who envied his
success and the extent of his practice, fed te
London to prevent the connecting link between
his body and head becoming acquainted with thu