Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-02-13
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THE STORY OF LEG.

In the autumn of 1112, The surgeon,
Louis Thevenet, of Calais, 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 instru-
ments for amputating a limb. Thevenet
was at tina! period renowned far and wide
for his skill, and it was by no means un-
common for patients 10 send for him from
England, in order to be guided by his
judgment in cases of more than ordinary
importance. He had been long attached
to the army, and, though Of somewhat un-
couth manner, was universally beloved on
account of his kindness of disposition.
Thevenet puzzled a long time over the
anonymous communication. Both time
and place were indicated with greatest eX
actness; at such an hour. and at such a
spot, would he be expected, but, as before
observed, the letter bore no other sigma
turc. "A hoax, in all probability" was
the conclusion he arrived at, and he resolved
not to go.
Three days afterward he received SINH
lar invitation, though cOuched in more
pressing terms, with the announcement
that n 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 the next morning, when
handsome open carriage drove to the
surgeons door; he made no further hesi-
tatlOn, but entered it. As he got IN it, he
inquired Of the cGachman whittier he was
going to drive him, and the man replied in
the English language, 81 do not meddle
with things that are no business Of mine. -
'Oh no. so have to do with an Eng
lishman, you surly dog" replied Theye-
net.
The coach arrived at length ut the ap-
pointed house.
"What am to see-who lives here
who is ill?'' asked TheveEet of the coach
man, as he left the carriage. The man re-
peated his former answer, and was thanked
for his civility in terms very much resem-
bling those above quoted.
He was received at the door by hand
some young man of about twenty eight
years. who conducted him up staircase
to a large room. His accent bctray, d
him to be a native of Great Britain. The
venet 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, if
you wish anything before performing the
operation"
! First of all, sir, let me see and exam
inc the patient; possibly it may not be ne
cessary to proceed to amputation."
! at will be necessary, Monsieur Thcve-
net. Let me entreat you to be seated. |
| have the fullest confidence in yOu-listen
/ to me. Here IS purse containing nun :
dred guneas, they are yours when the op-
Grafton 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
spot.''
"Sir, your pistol does not in the least
alarm me. What is it you require? Tell
me at once, without further preface, for
what purpose have | been summoned
/ here2''
"YCu must cut Off my right leg
"With all my heart, sir, and your head
as well, 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 leg?'