Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-06
EVENING STAR.
LOVE AND WOODEN LEGS.
A TALE.

A TALE.
In the autumn of 1882, the surgeon, Lord
Thevenet, of Calais, received On anonymous
letter, requiring his attendance ON the follow =
ing day at a certain house not far from the
town, and requesting him to bring with him
the necessary instruments for amputating a
limb. Thevenet was, at that period, renowned
far and wide for his skill and it was by no
| means uncommon for patients to send for him
from England, in order to be guided by his
judgment in cases of more than ordinary i'm.
portance. He had been long attached to the
army, and though of somewhat uncouth man
ner, was universally beloved on account Of
the kindness of his disposition. Theyenet
puz1led a long time over the anonymous COM
| munication. Both time and place were indi-
Gated with utmost eXactness; at such an hour
and ut such spot would he be expected; but
a. before observed, the letter bore no sigma.
ture. "A hoax, in all probability" was the
conclusion he arrived at, and he resolved not
to do so.
Three days afterwards he received simi.
lar invitation, though couched in more pres
sing terms with the announcement that car
riage would be at his door at nine the follow
ing morning to convey him to tho appointed
spot. Scarcely had the clock ceased striking
the hour of nine, on the following morning
than handsome open carriage drove to the
surgeons door; he made no further hesitation
but entered it. As he got in, he inquired Of
the coaehman whittier he was going to drive
him, and the man replied in the English Ian
guage, II do not meddle with things that are
no business Of mine
''Oh, no, so L have to do with an English
man, you surly dog" replied Thevenet
The coach arrived at length al the appoint
ed house. ''Who am to scC-who lives here;
who is liz" asked Theyenet of the coachman
as he left the carriage. The man repeated
his former answer, and was thanked for his
civliity In terms very much resembling those
above quoted He was received ut the door
by n handsome young man, about twenty
eight years years old. who conducted him up
staircase to a handsome room. His accent
betrayed him to be native of Great Britain
Thevenet addressed him in English, and was
replied to with much politeness.
You required my attendance said the
surgeon.
Il am very grateful for tie trouble you
have taken to visit me. Pray rest yourself
here are refreshments of all kinds, if you
wish anything before performing the opera
ton
First of ALL sir, let me see and examine
the patient possibly it may not be necessary
to proceed TO amputatiOn."
1T will be necessary, Monsieur Theveret
Let me entreat you to be seated. / have the
fullest confidence in you-listen To me. Here
is purse containing hundred guineas they
are yours when the operation il over, let the
result be what it may. If, on the contrary
you refuse To fulfill my wishes-yOu see this
loaded pistol-you are in my power, and as
sure as there is God in Heaven, shoot you
dead on the spot
"Sir, your pistol does not in the least alarm
me. What IL it you require? Tell me at
once, without preface, for what purpose l
have been summoned hcreH'
"YOu must cut off nv right leg
with all my heart, sir. and your head as
we'll, if you please but. if l am not mistaken,
your leg appears perfectly sound. You sprang
up the staircase just now with all the agility
of a rope-dancer. What is the matter with
your leg,
Nothing whatsoever, only off it must
come"
Sir, you are a fool -
THAT, Monsieur Thevenet, is no business
of yours"
"What sin has that weil-shapen limb of
yours committed i''
None; but have you made up your mind
to take il off ?"
''Sir, you arc a stranger to me. and / should
Ike to have proofs of your being Of sound
Monsieur Thevenet, will you grant my re-
quest -
First, sir, give me some sufficient reason
for inficting so wanton q mutiiation on you"
- cannot disclose the truth TO you at pres
ent; l may, perhaps, within a year; but L
will lay you any wager, sir, that you yourself
will, at the expiration Of the twelve months,
allow that my reasons for desiring to be freed
of my leg were most satisfactory and praise
worthy"
- make no bet with you, unless you inform
me of your name, your residence, your family
and your profession.
"All this shall be duly communicated to
you, but not at present. Allow me to ask if
you consider me Il man Of hOnor?"
. man Of honor does not present pistol
at his surgeons head. / have duties to per-
form even towards you, who are a total stran-
ger TO me. Without ii be strictly necessary, L
will not consent to mutilate you. If you are
bent on becoming the assassin Of an innocent
father of n famly-fre :"
'''Tis well, Monsieur Theyenet," answered
the Englishman, taking up the pistol, 3. will
not be your murderer, but l will compel you
to remove my leg. What my entreaties have
failed to Obtsin-what neither the hope of re-
ward nor the fear of death have succeeded in
extorting from you'll will owe to your COM
passion"
.'How so, sir?''
81 will lodge ball in my leg before your
very eyes
The young man sat down and deliberately
placed the muzzle above his knee Monsieur
venting him from effecting his mad design.
% Stir from your seat, >" exclaimed the Eng
lishman, and | pull the trigger, Answer
me once more Will you put me to needless
pain ? Will you, by your refusal, compel me
TO increase the suffering have to endure ?'
I" Sir, once moro you are fool; but be it as
you wish consent to take eff that cursed
leg Of yours"
The necessary preparations were soon made
just before the first incision, the Englishman
lighted his pipe, and swore it should not go
out. True to his word, he smoked Oh till his
leg lay on the ground before him, no longer
his exclusive property.
Monsieur Thevenet showed all his wonted
skill, and, in a tolerably short space of time,
the patient was restored to health He gave
his surgeon magnificent fee, and felt his
esteem for him increase each day. With tears
of gratitude in his eyes, he thanked him for
relieving him of his limb, and sailed for Eng
land duly equipped with a wooden leg
About eighteen months after these events.
Monsieur Thevenet received letter from Eng