Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-02-22
a stella meo II s .
Giving q Leg for a Wife.

DR.. Thcvenct, a distinguished surgeon
at Calais, one day received note without
Il signature, requesting him to repair to a
hotel not ia" on, with such Instruments as
were necessary for an amputaton They
enet was somewhat surprised at the man
ner OF the invitation, but concluding that
it was the work Of some wag. pnld no re-
gard to it. Three days after he received
Il second invitation, still more pressing
aud containing the information that the
next day at nine o'clock Il carraye would
stop before his house in order to convey
him. Thevenct resolved to let the affair
take its course, and when, on the follow
Ing day, 1T the striking OF the clock, an Gle.
CANT carriage stopped before the door, he
seated himself i'll it, and asked the drive,
to whom he was to carry him
The driver replied in English, What
do not know | cannot tell
At length the carriage stopped before tho
door of the hotel. 4 handsome Young
man. of about twenty eight Years of age
received the surgeon at the door, and con
Quoted !lina up stairs into large chamber,
where the following conversation tool
place:
"lou have sent for mel"
Il am much obliged to you for the troub
le you have taken to visit me. Here i,
coffee chocolate, or Wnc,if You would take
anything before the opcration.'
"Show me the patient, sir; must firs
ascertain whether the injury is such as to
render an anpntatlOn necessary
1T IS necessary. Doctor,seat yourself
| have perfect confidence in you-listen tc
ne. Here Is purse of one hundred gum
cas-; this is the pay you will receive for the
operation. ltdone succcsstulv,it is yours
Should you refuse to comply with my wish.
cs,sce.herc is a loaded pistol. You are in
my power; | will shoot yoa."
"Sir, | am not afraid of Your pistols
But what is your particular desire! Tel
TIE without preamble.
You must cut off my right leg
With all my heart; and, if you please,
your head too. But the leg is sound You
Sprang up stairs just now with the agility
of Il dancing master. What ails Your leg
Nothing. only went it off,.
Sir, you are u fool
why does that trouble yon Thevenct,
Nv hat sin has the leg conmittcdl'
None; hut are You ready to take it off?
|
| that You are sound Of mind
Will you comply with my rcqucstn
'1es.slr,so soon as you give me sufficient
reasons for such mutlaion of yourself.
4 cannot tell you the truth, perhaps fol
some years; but will lay wager that af
ter Il certain time You shall understand
that my reasons are most noble.--that my
happness,my very existence, depend upon
my being freed from this leg.
Sir, lay no wagcrs. Tell me your
name, residence, family and occupation.
lou shall know all that hereafter. Dc
YOU take me for an honorable man!
i cannot. \ man of honor does 10,
threaten his physician with pistols. have
duties towards you as Il stranger. l will
not mutlate You. If You wish to be the
murderer of the guiltcss father of Il fam
! lily, then shoot.
We'll, M.Thevenet, will not shoot you;
hut will force YOU to take off my leg.
What YOU will not do for the love of mon
ey, nor the fear OF a bullet, You shall do
Tor compasslon.
And how sol
Il will break my leg by discharging my
pistols,and here before your eyes
The Englishman seated himself, and
placed the mouth Of the pistol close to his
knee. Thcvenct was ON the point of spring
ing to prevent him, but he cyclaimed,-
Stir not or tirel Now, said lie will
you increase and lengthen out my pains
for nothingn
"A'ou are fool" SAYS Thevenct, "but
it shall.be done. will take of the untor
tunatc leg"
The Englishman calmly laid by the pis-
tol, and all was made ready for the opera
tion. As soon as the scrgcon began to
cut, the Englshman lighted his pipe, and
swore it should not go out. He kept his
word. The leg lay upon the floor, and
the Englisllnan Was still smoking. They
enet did his work like IL master; the wound
by his skill and the PATIENTS own good ma
ure. was healed at Il fixed time. He re-
warded the sargeon like a king, and thank
ed him with tears OF joy for the loss Of
his leg, and sailed over the streets with a
wooden one. About eight weeks after his
departure, Thevenet received II letter from
England with the following contents
You will receive enclosed, as proof Of
my most heartfelt gratitude, an order for
two hundred and fifty guineas upon Mons.
Panchard in Paris. You have made me