The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-02-19
WOODSFIELD MONROE COUNTY OHIO. FEBRUARY 10 1867
In vain implored her parents to inter-

eede Tor me she was etlll lmm0vable.
For long time I was unable to coniec
ture the cause of her refusing me, since,
as she confessed herself, she loved me
almost to distraction. sOne of her visit
ors at length betrayed to me the secret.
Miss Harley was wonder of beauty, but
she had only one leg; and on account Of
this imperfection, she feared to become
by wife, lest should esteem her the less
for it. My resolution was taken. I re-
solved to become like her; thanks to you,
1 became SO. I came with my wooden
leg to London, and in the first place yisi-
ted Miss Harley. It had been reported,
and myself had written to England that
| by fall from horse, | had broken my
| leg, which was subsequently taken off. 1t
was much. regretted Emile fell into a
swoon the first time she saw me- She
was for long time inconsolable, but now
she is my wife. The first day after our
marriage | intrusted to her the secret of
what a sacrifice | had made in conse-
quence of my wish to obtain her hand
She loves me now the more affecticnately.
Oh, my brave Theveneh had I ten legs
to lose, l would, without single contor-
tion of feature, part with them all for my
Emile, So long as I live / will be CRATE
ful to you. Come to London-visit us
become acquainted with my wife, and
then say | was fool. ish
CHARLES TEMPLE, Bart.
ANSWER OF DR.. THEvENET.
SIR: I thank you for your valuable
present; for so | must call it, because I
cannot consider it as reward for the lit
tie trouble l was at I congratulate you
on your marriage with a woman so wor-
thy Of your affections. 1t is true leg
is much to lose, even for beautiful, vir-
tuous and affectionate wife-but not too
much. To gain possession of Eve. Adam
was obliged to part with rib; and beau
tiful women have cost some men their
heads. But, after all, permit me to ad-
here to myformer Judgment. Truly, for
the moment, you were correct, but with
this difference; the correctness of my
Judgment was founded on long expert
ence, as every truth should be, which We
are not disposed to acknowledge. Sir,
mind me, lay wager that after two
years you repent that your leg was taken
off above the knee. You will find that
below the knee had been enough. After
three years you will be convinced that
the loss of the foot had been sufficient -
After four years you will conclude that
the sacrifice of the great toe, and after
five years, Of the little toe, had been too
much. After six years, you will agree
with me that the pairing of a nail had been
enough. Blu. 7 do not say this in preju.
dice Of the merits of your charming wife
In my youth l devoted myself to love
but I have never parted with leg. Had
I done so, should, at this day, have
said, ''Thevenet, thou vast a fool"
have the honor to be, yours, &C.,
LEWIS THEvENET.
Eleven years after, during the horror:
of the Revolution, Tbeveuet, whom per
son that envied his reputation caused tt
be suspected of aristocracy. fed to Lon
don to save himself from the gullotine. %
He inquired after Sir Charles Temple
and was shown his house. He made him
self known, and was received. In al
armchair by the FIRE, surrounded BY
twenty newspapers, sat a corpulent man
who could hardly stand up, he was so un
fwieldy go p {; q
"Ah, welcome, Doctor" cried the cor
pulent man, who was no other than Sll
Charles Temple; excuse me if 1 do no
rise. This cursed leg is hindrance tt
me in everything. You have come to sci
if your Judgment was correct &
81 come as a fugitive, and seek you,
protection. II s. 8
"You shall have it with pleasure Yol
, must live with me from this day, 70,
truly you are wise man You mus
console me. Surely, Thevenet, probabl,
| l had been an admiral Of the blue, hat
not my wooden leg disqualified me from
the service of my country. When | reat
the gazettes, the brown and the blu
make me angry, because | can have moth
ing to do with them. Come, console me.
"Y our wife can do that better than l.
"Say nothing of her. Her woodenlel
q prevented her dancing,so she betook her
self to cards and to fashion. There i
no such thing as living peaceably witt
her" = =
"Whatl was my Judgment correct
then?" g
90 welcome, beloved Theyenet; bu
be silent on this point. 1t was sill
adventure. Had L my leg again, woul
not now give the pairing of nail. Be
tween you and me, I.was fool. but kee
this to yourself. 80 @ q