Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21

| leg!
Nothing particular, sir. only want to
get rid of it.'
"You must be madman, sir!'
That's no business of yours u
"What has this beautiful leg done p
Nothing. Now then, sir, have you made
up your mind to take it off,
"Sir, l have not the pleasure of knowing
you; | require proof as to the state OF your
'Monsieur Thevenetl Will you do as l
desire you ?"
'Yes, sir, of course, as soon as you can
give me a tenable reason for mutilating
you
"For the present cannot give you an
explanation; perhaps may be able in the
course of year, and then | am certain
quite certain-you yourself will admit that
had the most justifable reasons to get rid
of this le,.
Il cannot accede to your wish, unless
you will be pleased to tell me your name,
residence, family aud occupation"
"All that you will learn at future tlme'
not now. Pray, my dear M. Thevenet, be-
lieve me to be man Of honor"
ga man of honor, sir, never threatens his
surgeon with pistols. | have to observe
duties towards you, sir. although stranger,
and shall not permit myself to mutilate
you unless it is really necessary. If, on
this account, you feel inclined to murder an
innocent man--father of family--well,
then, sir, make use of your pistols"
every well, Monsieur Theyenet, repli-
ed the Englishman, taking his pistol I'll
not fire at you but nevertheless, will make
you cut off my leg. requested it as ia
vor-you declined. offered you reward
you refused it. Threatened you with a
pistol-you scorned it. We will see now
if compassion for me will not force you to
comply
What do you mean, sir ?
Il will tell you what mean. I'll shatter
my leg with single shot, and right before
ysur eyes!
The Englishman sat down, took the pis-
tol, and placed the muzzle close to the
knee.
Thevenet made an effort to restrain him.
Don't move = cried the Englishmsn, 'or
| FIRE. Answer but this one question. Will
you needessly increase and prolong my
sufferings"
Sir replied Thevenet, you are mad
man. Your will be done. I'll cut off that
doomed leg of yours.
Everything necessary for the operation
was prepared The very moment the cut.
ting was about to be commenced the Eng
lishman lit his pipe, and declared it should
not go out during the operation. He kept
his word. His leg was lying detunct on
the floor, and he was still smoking. NJ.
Thevenet performed the operation in most
mastery manner. In very short time the
patient was well; rewarded HIM richly, as
sured him of his everlasting friendship, and
thanked him with tears in his eyes for hav-
ing taken of'his leg.
Shortly after the Engllshman returned to
his native country, Minus one leg.
About four months after his departure, M.
Thevenet received letter from England,
saying
"My dear Sir.-Enclosed forward, as
proof Of my sincere gratitude, bill Of ex-
change for 200 guineas, payable at the of
flee of Messrs Blanchard, Paris. You made
me the happest of mortals by depriving me
of limb which was the obstacle to my
earthly felicity. Noble-minded man! Now
you shall hear the cause Of my foolish whim
as you once termed it. You were pleased
to say at that time that it was impossible
for any one to have sufficient reason for
such a selt-mutilation as mine. Now listen
Shortly after my second return home from
the East Indies | became acquainted with
Emily Harley, the most perfect of women,
| adored her. Her fortune and family con-
nectlons engaged also the attention of my
friends; but her beauty and noble mind
were the sole attractions for me. Joined
the crowd of her admirers, and dearest The.
venet, was fortunate enough to become
the most unhappy of all my rivals. She
loved me IN preference to all Others, hey
er denied it, and elected me for tins very
reason. In vain entreated her. In vain
her parents did all in their power on my
behalf. Alas she remained inexorable.-
Some time passed before could find out
the cause of her dlSinclindtion to marry me-
whom, as she herself confessed, she so pas
sionately loved. One of her sisters, how
ever, at last revealed the secret to me-
Miss Harley was an extraordinary beauty,
but strangely enough was Of naturally de-
tective person, having only one leg, and on
account of tins lmperfection refused to be-
come my vile. She feared | might IN fu-
ture treat her rather lnditferently in conse-
quence. Forthwith my mind was made up.
resolved to make myself like her; and,
thanks to you, dear Thevenet, succeeded.
returned to London with my wooden leg.
Miss Harley. My friends spread a report
and myself wrote beforehand to England,
that, in consequence of fall from my horse
| mad broken leg, and amputation had
been found necessary. Every one met
pitied me. Emily tainted the first time she
saw me. For long while she was incon-
solable; but she became my wife. The day
after the wedding confded to her, for the
first time, the secret ofth sacrifice | had
made for her. She loved me the more for
it Ny dear Thevenet, if | had ten more
legs, | would sacrifice them without the
least hesitation for Emily. As long as |
live Iremain your debtor. Come and see
my excellent wife, and then dare to say "a
gain that am madman.
Yours for ever.
CHARLES TEMPLE"
M. Thevenet communicated the anecdote
and the contents oil the letter to his friends,
and laughed heartily whenever he spoke of
the matter, declaring still that the English