The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-01-17
THE LEG.

THE LEG.
In the autumn of 1872, the surgeon,
Louis Thevenet, Of Calasis, received an
anonymous letter requiring his attendance
on the following day at certain house not
far from the town, and requesting him to
bring with him the necessary instruments
for amputating 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 i'll
cases of more than ordinary Importance
He had been long attached to the army,
and, though of somewhat uncouth manner,
was universally beloved on account of the
kindness of his disposition.
Thevenet puzzled long time over the
ANONYMOUS communication. Both time
and place were indicated with greatest ex-
actness; at such All hour, and at such
spot, would he be expected, but, as before
observed, the letter bore no signature
ga hoax, in all probability" was the con-
clusion he arrived at, and he resolved not
to 60.
Three days afterward he received a SINH
lar invitation, though couched in more
pressing terms, with the announcement
that a carriage would be at his door at nine
the next morning, to convey him to the
appointed spot.
Scarcely had the clock finished striking
the hour of nine on the following morning,
when handsome open carriage drove to
the surgeons door; he made no further
hesitation, but entered it. AS he got in it,
he inquired of the coachman whittier he
was going to drive him, and the man re-
piled in the English language. 81 do not
NEEDLE with things that are no business OF
NINE"
"Oh no! 80 have to do with an Eng
lishman, you surly dog" replied Thevenet.
The coach arrived at length at the APP
pointed house. "Whom am to see-who
lives here-who is ill ?'' asked Thevenet of
the coachman, as he left the carriage. The
man repeated his former answer, and was
SuduhCu lOl Ms SiNihoy AL oOihS WY aiuSAA
resembling those above quoted.
He was received at the door by hand
some young man, about twenty eight years,
who conducted him up staircase to a
large room. His accent betrayed him to
be native of Great Britain. Thevenet
addressed him in English, and was replied
to with politeness.
"You desired my attendance" said the
surgeon.
81 am very grateful for the trouble you
have taken to visit me. Pray, rest your
self; here are refreshments of all kinds, il
you wish anything before performing the
operation"
First of all, sir, let me see and examine
the patient; possibly it may not be neces-
sary to proceed to amputation."
"It will be necessary, Monsieur Theve-
net. Let me entreat you to be seated. l
have the fullest confidence in you-listen
to me. Here is purse containing hun
dred guineas they are yours when the
operation is over, let the result be what it
may. If, on the contrary, you refuse to
fulfill my wishes-you see this loaded pis-
tol-you are in my power, and, as sure as
YOU are alive, I'll shoot you dead on the
not"
''Sir, your pistol does not in the least
alarm me. What is it you require'9 Tell
me at once, without further preface, for
what purpose have l been summoned
here?
"You must cut off my right leg"
"With all my heart, sir, and your head
as we'll, if you please; but if am not mis-
taken your leg appears perfectly sound.
You sprang up the staircase just now with
all the agility of rope dancer. What is
the matter with your legH'
"Nothing whatsoever, only off it must
Gomez
Sir, you are fool!'
ness of yours"
Sir, you are stranger to me, and
should like to have proofs of you being OF
sound mind"
monsieur Thevenet, will you grant my
request?''
First, sir, give me some reason for in
ficting SO wanton mutlation on you.'
81 cannot disclose the truth to you at
present: all shall be communicated in due
time. Allow me to ask you if you consid-
er me man of honor? %
ga man of honor does not present a
pist 81 to his surgeons head. l have duties
to perform even toward you, who are a
total stranger to me. Without it be strict
ly neces sary, will not consent to mutilate
you. If you are bent on becoming the as
sassin of an innocent father of family
firen'
"'Tis well, Monsieur Thevenet," aa-
swered the Englishman, taking up the pis-
tol, 81 will not be your murderer, but l
will still compel you to remove my leg
What my entreajes have failed to obtain,
what neither the hope of reward, nor the
fear of death has succeeded in extorting
from you, will owe to your passion. /
will lodge ball in my leg, here, before
your very eyes,"
The young man sat down, and deliber-
ately placed the muzzle Immediately above
his knee Monsieur Thevenet rushed to-
ward him in hope of preventing him from
effecting his mad design. "Stir from
your seat?" exclaimed the Englishman,
"and pull the trigger. Answer me once
more; will you put me to the needless pain
will you, by your refusal, compel me to
increase the sufferings have to endure ?"
"Sir, once more you are fool. But be
it as you wish-I consent to take it off. ~
The necessary preparations were soon
made. The leg was removed; and in a
tolerably short space of time the patient
was restored to health He gave his sur
geon munifcent fee, and felt his esteem
for him increase each day. With tears of
gratitude in his eyes he thanked him for re-