Smyrna times., 1860-12-20
S ELEC Il STORY.
CHARLES TEMPLE.


IN the latter part of the year l752 NJ Louis
lheVenet, surgeon resGIng at Calais. receIv-
ed an anonymous letter. requesting his atten.
dance, on the following morning. nj a v;II,
situated on the high road to Paris, aud that he
would bring with hIm all the Instruments ne
cessary tor an amputaton.
Ih' Vehet was known at that time as one of
ths cleVeresI men IN his profession, and it was
no unusual ihIug for hIrn to be sunmoned across
ihe channel to give his opinion on certain i'm.
p0rtant Cases. He had served lopo m IN.
army, and was rather snappsh IN his manner
nut his natural klndness however made him n
o. liked by yoa"g and old.
lhe Anonymous letter astonished Thevana,
'he ana place, when and where he was ex.
pecled' We're strictly mentioned, but no sigma.
Ire was 10 te seer.
Som OF our fops would like to ma Ike foo, ot
Lie! he thought, aud therefore did not 90.
Ihree days alter he received similar, but
uor4 urgent invitation, adding, that on the
following morning, at nine o'clock precisely,
carriage would be sent to fetch him.
The next morning, at the appointed time.
handsome vehicle stopped at his door. and
Ihevenet without further hesitation or cere-
m"ny' stepped into it. When outside the
town he asked the coachman where he vas
g1ng TO take him.
Can't say answered the coachman, tartIv.
lou are by no means the most civil of Eng
lshmen! replied Thevenet.
arrived at the mentioned villa, the carriape
stopped. TheVenet, before leaving it, howey
e. asked the already polite individual:
where am | wanted !! Who lives here -
Who is llll
AS he only received the same answer as
above, he only returned the same thanks.
AT the La -,
hooking young gentleman. about fwenIy-eIght
years OF age, who conducted him up stairs into
"ell-iurnIshed apartment. His accent was
'hat OF an Englshman. Thevenet therefore
addressed hun 10 Eng glish, which seemed to
gritty him much.
You have sent for me, sir asked the sur
geon.
am very much obliged to you for your
trouble IN calling! replied the young man.-
Fray, sir, take seat. Here is chocolate, cot:
Iee' wlae, &c &c ,-perhaos you would like
=" feiresh yourself before commencing the op-
Vration!
| should like to see the patient first, if We
please. | must examine the injury, to see if
amPutatlon ls really necessary.
assure you 1t is necessary, Monsieur Thew
enet! Pay sit down. | place all possible
confidence IN you. Listen to me, sir. Here is
apnrse with LOO guineas. They are yours, as
payment for the operation you are about to un-
dertake; aud believe me, sir, this shall not be
the only reward you shall receive. In the con.
rary event. however, or if you, peradventure.
refuse altogether TO comply with my request
you see here this ell-loaded pistol! You are
10 ny power, sir!
AS to your pistol, sir, believe me you cannot
irlghten me! But explain, if you please =
What is 1t you wish me 10 do!
Only cut off my right leg!
With all my heart, sir. But it appears to
me your leg is all right! You jumped up
stairs just now like a rOpe-dancer! Tell me, |
pray, what is the matter with your leg!
Nothing particular, sir. | only want to get
rid oft!
You must be madman, sir
That's no business of yours!
What has this beautiful leg done!
Nothing! Now, then, sir, have you made |
up your mind to take it off!
Sir, have not the pleasure of knowing you ;
require proof as to the state of your mind
Monsieur Thevenet! wilt you do as desire
you!
Yes, sir, OF course, as soon as you can give
me tenable reason for nutilating you!
For the present | cannot give you an expla.
natioHi perhaps may be able 10 the course of
year-and then | ain certain quite certain
you yourself will admit that had the most
JustInaOle reasons TO get off this leg
lc4nnot accede to your wish, unless you will
." Pieased 70 tell me your name, residence,
.faIHiIy and occupation
ALI that you will learn at future time-not
.hHw. Pray, my dear NJ. Thevenet. believe me
70 DE man OF honor!
man of honor. sir, never threatens his sur
geon with pistols | have to observe doties
towards you, sir, although stranger-and I
shall not permit myself to mutiate you, unlos.
1t is really necessary. If, on this account. Won
.ieel inclined TO murder an innOeent-mlnZG-
ther ct amly-well, then, sir, make use of
your pistols. .
Very we'll. Monsieur Thevenet. renIisd ,ho
Eaglshman, taking his. pistol. Pll not FIRE A.
you' but nevertheless will Ike YOU cut off
iny leg. requested il as a fayor-vou de-
ci'ned offered you areward--you refused
II; threatened you with pistOi-you scoru.
sn sin y. we VIII see now decomposition if for me
VIII not force you to comply. -.