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

Al will tell you what | mean. / will
shaiter my leg with single shot, and
right befnre your evesm
The Englishman sal down. took the
pistol. and placed the muzzle close to
the knee
Thevenet made an effort 10 restrain
him.
+ Don't novel; cried the English
man. "or fire. Answer bnt this one
question. Will you needles>ly increase
and prolong my sufprines?'
i ''Sir." replied Thevenet lyon are a
madman. Your will be done. I'll cut
off that doomed leg If yours
Everything necessary for the opera
ton was prepared The very moment
the cutting was about to be commenced
the EngIishman lit his pipe. and de-
clared it should not "go out" during
/ the opeu alton. He kept his word
! His leg was lying defnnct on the floor.
and he was sill smoking. nj Theve-
net performed the operation in a most
/ mastery manner. In a very short
time the patient was we'll; rewarded
! him lichly. assured him of his ever
lasting friendship. and thanked him
With tears III his eyes for having taken
off his leg.
Shortly after the Englishman re-
iurned to his native country, minus one
4 leg.
! About four months after his depart
nre. NJ. Thevene, received letter from
England, saying
"My Dear Sir-Enclosed I forward,
as proof of my sincere gratitude, bill
Of exchange for 200 euineas. payable
at The, office of Messrs Blanchard, Pa
lis You made me the happieSt of
mortals hy depriving me Of a limb,
which was the obstacle TO my cart ly
felicity. Nohleminied man! Now.
| yon shall hear the cause Of my foolish
whim. as you once termed it. You
were pleased TO say at that time thai II
was impossible for any one 10 have
sufficient reason for snch a self-mntIla-
,ipn as mine Now listen Shortly af-
Ter my secand retn,n home from the
East Indies became acquainted with
Emily Harley. the most perfect of w"-
men adnred her. Her fortune and
family connections engaged al>o the
attention Of my friends: but her beauty
and noble mind were the sole attrac-
tons for me- joined the crowd Of her
admirers. and dearest Thevenet. Sas
fortunate enonah to become the most
unhappy of all my rivals. She loved
ne in preference Ia all others-never
denied il, and elected me for this very
reason. in vaiG | entreaied her. In
vain her parents did all in their power
on my behalf AIasl she remai..ed in
exorahle. Some time passed before |
could find out the cause. Of her di>in-
ciiuatlnn 10 mary me. whom, as she
herself confessed, she so pas>ionateiy
loved. Que of her sisters. however. a
last revealed the sectet TO me. Miss
H:.tIey was an extraordinary beaut
but. strangely enough. was of nalu
rally defective person, having ouly one
leg. and on account Of this impesfec
ton refused 10 become my wife. She
feared might i'll future treat her
rather in.litferently in consequence
Forthwith my mind was made up.
resolved 10 make myself like her; and.
thanks 10 you, my dear Thevenet.
succeeded. returned to London with
my wooden leg My first business was
10 present myself 10 Miss Harley My
friends spread a report. and | myself
wrote beforehand to England. that, III
consequence OF a fall ftum my horse,
had broken leg. and amputaliou had
been f,nnd necessary. Every one
mel pltied me- Emily faln;ed The first
time she saw me. For a long while
she was iucnnsolable: bnt she became
my wife The dav after the wedding |
! confided TO her fpr The first time, the |
secret Of the sacrifice | hal made for |
her. She loved me the more tor it,
My dear Tnevenet. if had len more
legs, wpul sacrifice them without the |
least hesitation for Emily. rs long as
| live remain ynur lebinr. Come and |
see my excellent wife. aud then dare |
10 say again that am a mailman.
Yours tot ever.
CHAILEs TEMPLE"
NJ Theveret communicated The an
ecdoie and the contents nf the letter to |
his friends and laughed heartily when
ever he spoke of the matter. declaring
Still that the EngliShman was a mad
man. To The letter he wrote the fol-
lowing reply: /
SRI beg to return my best thanks
for youl Snmptnous present-as must
call it, for it is far above payment for
the little trouble had. congratulate
you on your marriage with the most
amiable Of English ladies' I must
confess il is a great sacritice-'a a leg
for beautiful ririnonS. and affection
ale wife; but certainly not too great if
in nature you have no cause 10 repent
your bargain Fathe. Adam was OBJ
IIged TO renonnce one of his ribs TO
possess wife. The same happens 10
plher men, and some even pay with
their heads. Considering all this well,
you will please In permit me to persist
ia my former opinion. Of course, fo'
The present you are quite right; ynn
suiay now the happy days of matri-