Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-07-27

| cas-, they are yours when the operation Is
over, let the result be what it may. If, on
the contrary, you refuse to fulfil my wishes
you see this loaded pistol-you are in
my power, and, as sure as you are alive.
shoot you dead on the spot
Sir, your pistol does not in the least
alarm me. What is it you requre' Tell
me at once, without further preface, for
what purpose have been summoned here''
you must cut off my right leg
with all my heart, sir, and your head as
well, if you please: but, if am not mista-
ked, your leg appears perfectly sound.
You sprang up the staircase just now, with
all the agility of a rope dancer. What is
the matter with your Lego
Nothing whatsoever, only off it must
come
Sir, you are fool
That, Monsieur Thevenet, is no business
Of yours
What sin has that well-shapen limb Of
yours committed?
None; but have you made up your mind
to take it OFF,
Sir, you are stranger to me, and
should like to have proofs of your being Of
sound mind.
Monsieur Thevenet, will you grant my
request9'
First, sir, give me some sufficient reason
for intlcting so wanton mutiation on you
/ Il cannot disclose the truth to you at
. present, may perhaps, within year; but
, will lay you any wager, sir, that you your
! self will, at the expiration of the twelve.
! month, allow that my reasons for desiring
, to be freed ofmy leg were most satisfactory
, and praiseworthy.'
Il make no bet with you, unless you in.
J form me your name, your residence, your
, family and profession.
5 'All this shall be duly communicated to
you, but not at present. Allow me to ask
, you if you consider me man of honor''
. "A man of honor does not present a PTS.
tol at his surgeons head. have duties to
4 perform even toward you, who are total
| stranger to me. Without it be strictly ne.
\ cessary, will not consent to mutlate you.
f IT, you are bent on becoming the assassin oil
an innocent father of a family, fire!'
e IT'S well, Monsieur Thevenet,' answered
t the Englisnman, taking up the pistol: Il
n will not be your murderer, but will still
. compel you to remove my leg. What my
S entreaties have failed to obtain: what
v neither the hope of reward nor the fear oil
a death have succeeded in extorting from
a you. | will owe to your passion
[ How so, sir?'
n twill lodge ball in my leg, here before
n your very eyes
The young man sat down, and dcliber.
+. ately placed the muzz'e Immediately above
It his knee. Monsieur Thevenet rushed to.
e ward him in hopes OF preventing him from
q effecting his mad desig Stir from your
e seat! exclaimed the Engshman, and
It pull the trigger. Answer me once more
will you put me to the needless pain will
you by your refusal compel me to increase
the sufferlngs have to endure?'
Sir, once more you are fool, but be i
T. as you wish-I consent to take off tina
n cursed leg of yours
e The necessary preparations were soor
d made. Just before the first incision. TIT
% Eng|ishman lighted his pipe and swore j
Is should not 90 out. True to his word, h
AZ smoked on till the leg lay on the groun'
Is before him, no longer his own exclusive
IN property.
a. Monsieur Thevenet showed all his wont
IN ed skill. and in a toIerably short space O
G. time, the patient was restored to health
y, He gave his surgeon munlfcent fee, an
T. felt hls esteem for him increase each day
he With tears of gratitude in his eyes h
thanked him for relieving him of his limit
ne aud sailed for England, duly equipped wit
10 q wooden leg.
ST About eighteen months after these event:
q Monsieur Thevenet received letter frol
re England, to the following effect:
"A Enclosed is an order on Monsieur Pan
ID chard of Paris, for two hundred and fit
guineas, which beg you to accept in toxic
n Of my heartfelt gratitude. BY deprvin
re me of limb which formed the sole obslacl
nj to my earthly bliss, you have rendered m
ne the happiest of mortels
p. Best of men! At length shall you b
made acquainted with the real grounds {
'g what you were pleased to term my ma
g, within. You persisted in maintaining thu
TO no rational cause could possibly warrar
er the self,mutilation have undergone. We
he for you that you refused to accept the we
as ger offered.
ed Shortly after my last return from tn
d. East Indies, became acquainted wit
g. perfection, in the person of Emily Harley
g | fell desperately in love with her. HI
1t. wealth and family connexions made my II
p lations as eager for the match as myse!
no though saw but her beauty and angel
of disposition. yoked myself to the car
'e. her admirers. Alas! my dear Thevene
nd was fortunate enough to become the mo-
ny unfortunate of oil my rivals; she loved m
and me only; she avowed her affection
d. and-rejected me In vain did press IN
irs suit, in vain did her parents and friends il
} tercede for me-sbe remained ineXorabl,
20 For long time did fail to discover tn
let cause of her REFUSED to become mine -,
ed make one happy whom she owned to b
loving to distraction. At length, one
ne her sisters revealed the mystery. Mi,