Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-07-27
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1888.

TO Engand) that had injured my leg By
q fall from my horse, and that ampulaton
was found necessary; | became the object
of universal pity. Emily tainted away at
our first meeting. She remained for long
time inconsolabe, but at length consented
to our marriage. On the day after our
union did 4, for the first time, disclose to
her the sacrifice had made to gain her
hand, Her love for me became even yet
more tender. o, Thevenet 10 obtain my
Emily, | would lose ten more legs, without
the least conjunction.
MY gratitude toward you can only end
with my life. Come to London and pay US
visit, and when once you have seen my
angel wife, | defy you to cay again that |
ON fool = CHARLES TEMPLE.
Monster Thovene. showed the letter to
his friends, after having related all the
preceding circumstances, and he never told
the story without a burst of laughter, as he
wound up with He is as much fool as
ever!'
The following was his answer to the
above:
.SIR-I am obliged to you for your mu
nihcent present, for such must term a sum,
so much exceeding the value of my humble
services.
Il congratulate you on your marriage
with your accomplished countrywoman.-
True, leg is heavy price to pay for the
possession Of fai. and virtuous wife; yet
not too heavy, if the result prove in favor
of the change. 1t cost Adam rib from
his body to be blessed with Eve;-many
other men. since him, have lost their ribs
for their fair ones; some even have forfeit
ed their heads.
Notwithstanding your protestations,
you must allow me to retain my original
opinion. Very probably you are right at
present, for you are still in all the rapture
of the honeymoon. l am right too, but
with this difference, that it requires time
to be convinced of the justice of my opin
ion; for it is ever long ere we are willing
to admit the truth Of ideas that clash with
our own.
Have a care, sir. for strongly suspect,
that ere two years are flown, you will be.
gin to wish that the amputation had been
below the knee joint. In three years it
| will strike you that you might very we'll
have compounded for the loss of the foot
only. In four years you will think that the
sacrifice Of your great toe might have very
| well sutficed, and before the expiration OF
the fifth year, you will grudge even your
| little toe. After six years | am afraid the
pairing of your nails will seem to you all
! that was necessary.
Il have said all this without prejudice to
your wife's merits Beauty and virtue are
not so tleetng as the judgment of man.
In my youth | would have laid down my
life for the beloved one, but never would
have lost my leg for her; the loss of the
one would never have repented, but each
day should have repined over the sacrifice
of the other. Had | ever consented tc
such sacrifice, should say: 'Thevenet
you were fool' and herewith have the
honor, etc. etc. G. THEvENET.'
In the year 1898, during the reign o
ter'our, Monsieur Thevenet, who had beer
denounced as an arstocrat by some aspiring
member of his profession, fled to Londol
in order TO escape the equalIzing propens
ties Of the guillotiEe. When there, desi
ring to increase his acquaintance, h,
inquired for the residence Of Sir Charlie
Temple.
He was directed to his mansion, and wa
announced to its master. Seated on al
easy chair by the fireslde, foamrg tank
ard Of porter at his elbow, and twent,
newspapers s.rewed about him, appeared
!, porl|y gentleman, whose size would scarce
y allow him to quit his chair.
! 'Ha! right welcome, Monsieur Theve
net! exclaimed the portly gentleman, VIII
was no other than Sis Charles Temple
, do not be offended with me if resume m
seat, but my cursed wooden leg is Away
in my way. In all probability, my worth
! friend, you are come to ascertain if m
! hour Of conviction has arrived?'
, Il am here as fugitive from my nativ
, land, and claim your protection!'
, You must take up your abode with me
tor, OF verify, you are a wise man. B
> this time, Thevenet, ] should, have bee
f admirable of the blue, if this internal wood
] en- leg had not iucapacitaled me for
t serving my country. Here am l readn
I in the papers news of the most stirrn
kind, and cursng my stars that can tax
no part in all that is going on. Come So
something consoling TO me-
0 Your excellent lady is far better adapt
b ed than to play the comforter
F.; Don't mention her. Her wooden lie
T binders her from dancing, so she has deve
=. ted herself to cards scandal; there is n
+ possible dealing with her, but she is
c good enough woman in her way.
f Then, after, all, was right"
!, Most individually so, my dear 1hevenet
t but enough of that. committed an eyre
G gious bunder. Had my leg back agair
!, not nail pairing OF it would part witt
y Between ourselves, be it said, l was fool
. but keep this piece Of truth to YOURSELF
y CULTURE OF TROPICAL PLANTS
0 Having accidentally seen the manuscriE
of the following letter to the Hon. Lev
. Lincoln from gentleman as well acquain,