Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-06

4
L was fortunate to become the most unfortu-
nate OF all my rivals; she loved me, and me
| only; she avowed her affection and-reiected
me In vain did press my suit, in vain did
her parents and friends intercede for me-she
| remained inexorable.
-" For a long time did fail to discover the
cause of her refusal to become mine-to make
me happy, to whom she owned loving 70 dis.
action. At length one of her sisters reveal.
ed the mystery. Miss Harley was a marvel
OF beauty, but strange to relate, was born with
but one leg, and this blemish rendered her
averse 10 becoming my wife, as she feared /
might look on her with aversion.
My resolution was soon formed I deter
mined there should be no disparity between
US, and thanks TO you, worthy Thevenet, it
| exists no longer.
returned TO London with my wooden leg,
and at once betook myself to Miss Harley
| The report had circulated {set on foot by a
letter | had previously dispatched to England)
| that had injured my leg by a fall from my
morse, and that amputation was found neces.
sary. became the object of universal pity
| Emily tainted away at our first meeting She
| remained for u long time inconsolable; but at
| length consented 10 our marriage On the day
| alter our union did L, for the first time, dis
| close TO her the sacrifice L had made to gain
| her hand. Her love TO me became even vet
| more tender. Oh, Thevenet to obtain nv
| Emily, would lose ten more legs without the
| least eompunction. My gratitude can only
end with my life. Come to London and pay
US visit; and when once you have seen nv
angel wife, defy you to say again that am
| fool CHARLES TEMPLE,
Monsieur Thevenet showed the letter TO his
| friends, after having related all the preceding
circumstances, and he never told the story
without burst of laughter, "a he he wound
| 1t up with: ''IIe is as much a fool as ever!'
The following was his answer:
SIR am obliged to you for your munii-
cent present. for such must term the sum 50
much exceeding the value of my humble SER
vices.
II congratulate you on your marriage with
your accomplished countrywomen. True.
leg Is heavy price to pay for the possession
OF fair ami 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-somc even
have forfeited 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 honey
moon. L am right, too, but with this differ
ence, that 1t requires time TO be convinced Of
the justice Of NY opinion; 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 L strongly suspect
that ere two years are flown, you will begin
| to wish that the amputation had been per
formed CeioIO the knee joint. In three years
it will strike you that you might very well
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 suf-
hced; and before the expiration Of the fifth
| year, You will grudge even your little toe.
I Gsnr- II
nails will seem To be all that was necessary.
Il have said all this without prejudice to
| your wiieS merits. Beauty and virtue are
| not so feeting as the Judgment of man. In
my youth L would have laid down my life
| for my beloved one, but l never would have
| lost my leg for her; the loss Of the one / never
| repented, but every day | should have re-
rined over the sacrifice of the other. Had
| ever consented to such a sacrifice, should
say: Thevenet, you are a fool,-and here
| with have the honor, &c, DC.
sc. THEvExET."
In the year 1898, during the Reign Of Ter
ror, Monsieur Thevenet, who had been dc.
| nOunced as an aristocrat by some aspiring
member of his profession, fed to London in
| order TO escape the egualizing propensities Of
the guillotine When there, desiring to increase
his acquaintance. be inquired for the residence
of Sir Charles Temple. He was directed to his
II.
Seated at the freside. with "A foaming tankard
OF pewter at his elbow, and twenty newspapers
s:rewed about him, appeared a portly gentle
man, whose size would scarcely allow him to
quite his chair.
''Ha. right welcome, Monsieur Thevenet!"
exclaimed the portly gentleman, who was DO
other than Sir Charles Temple. do not be
offended with me if L resume my seat, but 10y
cursed wooden leg is always in the way In
all probability, my worthy friend, you are
come to ascertain if my hour Of conviction has
arrived ~
Il am here fugitive from my native land,
and claim your protection. >
''lou must take up your abode with me- for
of vority You are a wise man. By this time,
Theyenet. / should have been Admiral Of the
Blue, if this Internal wooden leg had not inca.
pacitated me from serving my country. Here
am |, reading In the papers news of the most
stirring kind, and cursing my stars that can
take no part in all that is going ON. Come
say something consoling To me. :"
You excellent lady is far better adapted
than l to play the comforter
'DOn't mention her. Her wooden leg hin
ders her from dancing. so she has devoted her.
self to cards and scandal: there is no possible
dealing with her-but she is a good enough
woman in her way"
Then, after ALL l was right?n
"Most lndubltably So, my dear Thevenet-
but enough of that. L committed an egregious
blunder Had L but my leg back again not
a nail pairing of it would part with. Betwee n
ourselves, be it said, was a fool; but keen
this piece of truth to yourself"