The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-08-15
WAS IT WORTH A LEe9

| VTS - "VNbH ~ E&N
It was In the utumn OF the year 17B.
that surgeon Boulogne, of the namt
OF Etlenne Lefebvre, received a letter.
not bearing any sigma ture, requesting
him to repair on the following day to q
iGountry-house which was situated on
the road leading to Calais, and to bring
along such instruments as would be re-
Iquired for performing an operation.
LeIebvre was at that period well known
as distinguished and successful oper-
ator; so much so, indeed, that he was
not unfrequently sent for from great
distances. He had served for a con-
siderable time In the navy, and his man.
ners had, therefore, acquired certain
degree OF bluntness; but, when you once
became acquainted With him, you could
not help liking him for the natural and
unaffected goodness of his heart.
He was naturally somewhat surprised
at this anonymous communication; for,
although the time and pace We're, as
already stated, mentioned with great
minuteness, there was no clew afforded
by which the writer could be identified.
He, therefore, came 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 q similar summons, but couched
in more pressing terms than the first,
and he was informed that at O'Clock in
the morning a carriage would be sent to
bring him to the place where he was
anXiously expected. Accordingly, sure
lenUugh, on the last stroke Ul 8, car
riage drove up to his door. Tine doctor
no longer made any hesitation, but at
once took his seat in the carriage. AS
he was geUSIng in, he inquired OF the
coachman where he was To be taken to |;
but the man appeared either not to
know, or dad not choose to tell; but as
he spoke English, LetebVre said to him
sell, so IT is an Englishman to whom l
am summoned" aud ne accordingly pre-
pared himself ior an exhibition of eccen-
Lriclty on the part of one of that nation
which eyennoW is SO little understood
by continentals. AT length the carriage
stopped, ana the doctor fastened into
The house. .f
lie was received at the entrance by a
tine-loOklng young man Of about twenty
five years ol age, who requested linn TO
walk into a large and handsome room on
The first floor. His accent showed him
TO be an EDglishman. The following
conversation then ensued between
them:
You have sent for me-" said the doc
tor.
II am very much obliged to you for the
Itrouble you have taken III coming here"
IrejolneG me Englishman. "Be so good
as TO seat yourself al table, where you
will find chocolate, coffee, or wine, in
lease you would like tu partake Of any
thing before commencing the opera
tion."
"But first show me the patient.
wish To satisfy my sell that an operation
is absolutely necessary"
"ltis necessary, Monsieur Lefebvre
lpray be seated. L have entire
confidence in you; only listen to me.
Here lis purse containing 100 guineas,
which / offer you AS a lee lor the oper-
alton you are asked to perform, no
matter wnat the result may be. In case
OF your refusing compliance with my
request, you see this pistol. 1t is loaded,
ana you are IN my power. AS l hope
for salvation, l will blow your brains
out"
'Sir, / am not to be deferred from do
ing what l consider proper by any tear
OF your pistol. But what do you desire
| What am expected TO doT
| "YOu must cut my right leg off"
"With all my heart" answered the
SUI geon, thinking that this was char
| dCJGll5llC opCSlMOh VI LhOoO IAdu LDS
lisn; "and your hand, also, is necessary
or desirable. However, unless L am
greatly mistaken, your leg is perfectly
sound. l saw you walk down stairs
with the greatest activity. What can be
the matter with your leg"
| 'tNolhing, but 1T must come off,"
''olr, you are mad"
sTbaJ is no concern of yours, Monsieur
Letebvre."
"What harm can that handsome limb
have done~
"None at all; still you must make UP
your mind TO amputate it,"
"Sir, l have no acquaintance with
you; give some proof that you are in
sound mind," naturally demanded the
| doctor.
"Wlll you consent to my wishes, Mon
sieur Letebvre~
| "As soon as you can assign any ade-
quaJe or reasonable motive Tor SO un-
necessary an operation"
IL can not at present enter into any
expianations-in ayear, perhaps, will
do SO. But will bet you, Sir, that then
you VIII acknowledge that my reasons
lor my present seemingly extravagant
conuuct are pure, manly, and noble, and
| even rational"
"It is quite impossible for me-"
demonstrated. the surgeon, "to comply
| until you tell me your name, place OF
residence, position aud family"
"You shall be made acquainted with
all these particulars az some future
time, but not at present. l beg you to
consider me man of honor" w.,
"a man Of honor does not utter un-
justitiable threats against his doctor. l
nave to petorm a duty even towards you,
who are stranger to me. My reasons
Tor refusing to accede to your absurd
request are, as you must admit, sound
ana just. Do you wish to be the
murderer of an innocent father of large
tamily3" .s
"Well, Monsieur Lefebvre," replied
the Engishman, taking up the pistol, II
, will not fire upon you, and yet [ will
G ompel you to cut of this leg. What
v, gu refuse to do TO oblige me, through
10 We of gain or fear OF u bullet, you shall
do through humanity"
"sHow SO, .slrW
I" [ intend to shatter my leg with this
pist oil, and that, too, before your eyes,"
ans ,vered the Englishman, who accord |
inyly' seated himself, cooked his pistol. |
and then took deliberate aim at his |
knee. Joint.
Lelebvre rushed forward to prevent
him, but the Englishman coolly ex-
al ii.