The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1854-01-05
The Leg

al Calais. received an anonymous let
ter, requesting his attendance on the
following morning at villa situated
on the high road 10 Paris, and that he
would bring with him all the instru.
msnts necessary for an ampu,atinn.
Thevenet was known at that time as
one of the cleveEest men in hlS pioies.
sion, and il was no unusual thing for
him to be summoned across the Chan
mel 10 give his opinion on certain I'M
poEtant cases. He had served long IN
the army, and was rather snappish in
his mannet; but his natural kindness,
however, made him 10 be liked BY
yeung ard old.
The anonymous note astonlShed The
venef. Time and place, when and
where be was expected, were stllctly
mentioned, but no signature was to be
seen.
"Some of our fnps wonld like to
make fool of me-" he thought, and
therefore did not go.
Three days after. he received a simi-
lar, but more urgent. invitation, adding
that on the following morning. al nine
O'Clock precisely, carriage would be
sent TO fetch him.
The next morning, al the appointed
time. a handsome vehicle stopped at
his door. and Thevenet. without fnIther
hesitation or ceremony. stepped INT" IT..
When outside the town Ice asked the
coachman whittier he was going 10
take HIM. Cant say" answered the
-coachman, CURLY. You are by no
means The most civil of Englishmen,"
replied Thevenet.
Arrived al the mentioned villa. the
carriage stopped. Thesenet, before
leaving il. however. asked the already
mentioned polite lndividuaI.-'' Where
am wanted? Who lives here? Who
is i'll :" As he only received the same
answer as above, he only returned the
same thanks.
AT the entrance he was received hy
a good looking young gentleman, about
twentv-eight years of age, who con-
ducied him upstairs into a well furnish
ed apartment. His accent was that of
an Euglishman. Thevenei therefore
addressed him in English. which SEEM
Ell Ia CRAFTY him much
"You have sent for me, sir" asked
the surgeon.
Il am very much obliged 10 you for
yonr trouble in calling" replied the
young man. ',Ptay sir take seat
Ae.e il chocolate. coffee, wine. &c.:
perhaps you wnnld like to refresh yonr-
self befnre commencing the operation q
Il should like to see The patient fist.
If you please. | must examine the IN
jury, 10 see il ampuialion is really ne
cessary.'
. assure YOU il is necessary. Mon
sieur Tfevenet. Pray sill down. |
place all possible confidence in you
Listen to me, sir. Here is purse
with 100 auineas. They are yours. as
payment for the operation You are
about 10 undertake; and believe me.
sir, this shall not be the only reward
yru shall receive. In the contrary
event, however. or if you peradven-
ture, refuse altogether to comply with
my request-you see here this we'll
loaded pisinl,-you are in my power,
sit-hang me, if don't blow your
brains out y
"As to your pistol, sir. believe me
you cannot Tighten me Bat explain.
II yon please. What is it ynu wish me
TO do!'
"only 10 cnt off my right leg"
With all my heat. sir and. if von
like. yonr head into the bargain. Bnt
il appears 10 me your leg is all right.
Ton jumped upstairs juSi now like
rope-dancer. Tell me. pray, what is
the matter with your leg g
Nothing particular, sir. only |
want to get ridof it,
You must be mailman, siri'
ssThat's no business of yoursW
What has this beautiful leg done 7"
"Nothing. Now then. sir, have you
made up your mind to take il off :"
Sir, | have not The pleasure OF
knowing you; require proof as 10 the |
state of your mind -"
!" Monsieur Thevene,! VIII yor do
IS desire yon?'
!" Yes. sir. Of course. as soon as you
can give me tenable reason for mu-
Iiilaiing you.'
q For the present cannot give you
an explanation; perhaps ! may be
able in The course of year. and then
am ceftain-qnile certait,--ynu your
self will admit thai had The most JUS
HG6able reasons To gel rid of this leg"
~ cannot accede 10 your wish, un-
Cess ynn will be pleased 10 tell me ynnr
pane, residence, family, and occupa-
hon. z..s
- All that sou will learn al future
@ime. not now. Pray, my dear Nj. The
Fenei. believe me 10 be man OF
lnnor.n
A man Of honor. sir, never threat
hns his sureeoB with pistols. ! have
% observe duties towards you. sir. al
houah stranger. and shall not per-
Nj, myself to matilaie sou unless il is
eally necessary. II, on this account,
k0u feel inclined TO marder an inno-
ent man-father Of family-well,
zen. sir, make use Of your pistols
Very well, Monsieur Thevenet,"
slied the Englishmaa, taking his pis-
.l'll uot FIRE al you but neyeithe-