The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-08-11
WAS 1T WORTH A LEG!

IL was in the autumn of the year 11s2
that \ surgeon in Boulogne, of the name
of Etienne Lefebvre, received a letter,
not bearing any signature, requesting
him 20 repair on the following day to q
country house which was situated on
the road leading to Calais, and to bring
along such instruments as would be re-
quired for performing an operation.
Lefebvre was at that period well known
a. a distinguished and successful ope-
rator; 50 much so, indeed, that he was
not unfrequently sent for from great
distances. He had served FOR a consid-
cradle time in the navy, and his a
ners had. therefore, acquired . certain
degree of bluntness; but, when you
once became acquainted with him, you
could no: help liking him for the ma
tural and unaffected goodness of his
heart.
He was naturally somewhat surprised
at this anonymous communication; for,
although the time and place were, rs
already stated, mentioned with great
minuteress. there was no clew afforded
by which the writer could be identified.
He, therefore, cane TO the conclusion
that some Of his jocular friends were
making fun Of him, and he did not keep
the appointment.
Three DAYS afterwards he again re-
ceived a similar summons, but couched
in more pressing terms than the first,
and he was informed that ut 9 O'Clock
in the morning a carriage would be
sent 70 bring him TO the place where he
was anxiously expected. Accordingly
next morning, sure enough, on the last
stroke Of 3, a carriage drove up to his
door. The doctor no longer made any
hesitation, but at once took his seat in
the carriage. As he was getting in, he
inquired Of the coacbman where he was
20 be taken to; but the man appeared
either not TO know, or did not choose
70 tell but, as he spoke in English,
LefebTre said to himself, $50 it is an
En-lishman to whom | am summoned
and he accordingly prepared himself
for any exhibition of eccentricity on the
part of that nation which even now is
so little understood by Continentals.
At length the carriage stopped, and the
doctor fastened into the house.
He was received al the entrance by a
fine-looking young man of about p
year Of age, who requested him &c
walk into a large and handsome room
on the first floor. His accent showed
him 70 be an Englishman- The follow
ing conversation then ensued between
them.
ssYou have sent for me-" said tn,
doctor
al am very mach obliged to YOU fol
the trouble you have taken in coming
here,n rejoined the Englishman. "Bi
50 good as to seat yourself at table
where you will find chocolate, coffee, n
wine, in case you would like to partak'
of any thing before commencing the
operation"
"But first show me the patient.
wish % satisfy myself that IN operation
il absolutely necessary"
alt Is necessary, Monsieur Lefebvre
pray be seated. i have entire conf
dence in you; only listen TO me. Her
is q purse containing 100 guineas, which
4 Offer you as a fee for the operation yol
are asked TO perform. no matter wha
the result may be. In case Of your re
fusing compliance with my request, you
see this pistol. 1t is loaded, and yol
are in my power. As ] hope for saliva
ton, I will blow your brains out"
"Sir, | am not to be deferred from
doing what | consider proper by an
fear Of your pistol. But what do yol
desire? What am | expected to do?n
"You must cut my right leg off,
With all my heart" answered the
surgeon, thinking that this was a char
acteristic specimen Of those mad Eng
fish; sand your hand, also, il nccessar,
or desirable. However, unless / an
greatly mistaken, your leg is perfect,
sound. ! saw you walk down stair
with the greatest activity. What can b,
the matter with your Lego"