Middletown transcript., 1868-02-29
I Su Jntertstinp Storp.
LOSING A LEG TO GAIN A WIFE
translated from the German
by A. NJ. MILLER

ny A. NJ. MILLER t,..t
In the Fall of 1882 the celebrated sur
geon, Louis Thevent, then practicing at
Calais, received an anonymous letter, ask
ing him to come on the next day to coun-
try house near the road to Paris, and to
bring with him everything necessary for an
amputation! esa0'j tr'l.s.
zThevent was known at that time far and
wide as the most skillful man in his pro-
fessi0n 90 1t would have been nothing
strange if he had been called across the
channel to England for the sake of his pro-
fessional services, but still he wondered at
this letter. Time, hour place, were all
specified with the greatest exactness, when
and where he was expected; but as we
have said the note had no signature.
Probably some one wishing to send me on
"a FOOLS errand," thought he and did not
go. A'.. h'H e+ IN F''-h
Three days afterward he received sim
liar invitation even more pressing, adding
that at niue o'clock the next morning a
carriage would stop at his house to convey
him to the place designated In fact, as
the clock struck nine a pretty, open car
ther delay sprang into 1t. = -.' u" ~. -
Er"Who sent for me he asked as he got
in.l'i y ppi ~! +, eei's'-Tft iii sgl =
-a'I don't know" answered the driver,
20 and don't care. "ana" "s'5 - e's!
no A pleasant beginning" thought The
vent. E'aHs9- - q La '77-i'. '.'.g'
The carriage stopped at last at the coun-
try house which had been described in the
letter. "Who lives here? who is sick
hercf' asked Thevcnt as he got out. i
The driver gave the same answer as be-
fore, and Thevent, not being satisfied,
turned towards the house. At the door a
handsome young man appearing to be about
twenty y-eight or thirty years old, received
him, and conducted him up stairs into
large chamber. The young mans Ian
guage showed him to be an Englishman.
"You have sent for me ?" said Thevent
in English, after the usual salutation had
been courteously given on both sides.
II am much obliged to you for coming" !"
answered the Englishman. Take seat,
sir ); here is chocolate, coffe, wine. You
had better take lunch before you COM
mence the operation" 7''d1 '7...-=.. -
sThank you; but I-must first see the
patient and decide whether amputation is
necessary. st5, ..s-...,.,.,,,
ri, =. 1t is necessary, DIR. Thevent; take a
seat and hear me out. have perfect con-
tidence in you. Here is purse of two
hundred guineas. | promise them to you
as your fee for the operation which you
are to perform. 1t. makes no difference
whether you are successful or not. On
the other hand, if you hesitate to execute
my wishes here is a loaded pistol, you are
in my power, and will blow your brains
out" -..--.-sf--- .'.-''-
"Sir,, am not afraid Of your pistol
What do you want? Only say the word
without anymore circumlocutions. What
am | to do here? '' ''.''.'' p. ..'.,... -. &
d" You must cut off my right leg"
Very willingly, sir if you wish it, and
your head too. But SO far as can see
the leg appears perfectly sound. Yor
sprang up the stairs before me like ropt
dancer What is the matter with the legY'
:" Nothing, but / want to get rid of It. ,
I" You are q fool, |" -, 9.
THAT is none of your business, DR.
Thevent P'i .e< s-s.A'A =
"What crime has the beautiful leg com,
mltted r
None; but are you going to take j
offr'
g Excuse me, sir, ]. do not know you
You must give me proof that you are il
your right mind" ra
!" Are you going to do what ask, DIR
Thevent p a ssg ea.
AS soon as you give me a reasonable
ground for doing it." ..q.sf a-,ss
II cannot tell you the truth now, per
haps can in a year or SO. But / will
bet you, Doctor, that you yourself viii
say that my reasons are the noblest posi-
ble." asssl asaee -ssia9r3 rsa4 - +
81 will not bet sir, for you have no
sold me your name. your place of resi-
sdenee, your family or your business ssn
:" All that yeu shall knew presently
not now. However win tell you that
am q nobleman." ,,.a,s3
"A nobleman docs not threaten hi
physician with pistol. have dutic