The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-08-11

nANt Noutt /
..None at all still you must makeup
your mind 10 amputate it."
..Sir, / have no acquaintance with
YOU give me some proof that you are
In sound mind" naturally demanded
the doctor.
"Will you consent TO my wishes,
Monsieur L~efebvreP"
As soon rs you a assign any ade-
quate or reasonable motive for 81 I'M
necessary an operation"
al can not at present enter into any
explanations-in a year, perhaps, | will
do so. Butt will bet you, sir, that then
you will acknowledge that my reasons
for my present seemingly e~xtravagant
conduct are most pure. manly and no.
bic, and even rational"
alt is quite impossible for me-" re-
monstrated the surgeon, "to comply
until you tell me your name, place of
residence. position and family
"You shall be made acquainted with
all these particulars at some future
time, but not at present. / beg You to
consider me a man of honor
"A III Of honor does not utter I'M
justiiable threats against his doctor.
/ have to perform a duty even towards
you, who are a stranger TO me. My
reasons for refusing to accede TO your
absurd request are, as you must admit,
sound and just. Do you wish to be the
murderer Of an innocent father of n
large family?"
"Well. Monsieur Lefebvre," replied
the Englishman, taking up the pistol,
81 will not FIRE upon you, andy will
compel YOU to cut off this leg. What
you refuse to do to oblige me, through
love of gain or fear OF a bullet, you shall
do through humanity"
"How so, sir?n
al intend to shatter my leg with this
pistol, and that, too, before your eyes,"
answered the Englishman, who accord
ingly seated himself, cooked the pistol,
knee-ioint.
Lefebvre rushed forward to prevent
him, but the Englishman coolly ex-
claimed:
"Do not come near; if youdo, / fire.
Now only answer me this question: Do
you wish to prolong my suffering need
lessly?"
s.Sir, YOU are mad" answered the
Doctor in despair; % but have your owr
way-I am ready to do as you wish"
Every thing was ready for the opera
ton. As soon as the surgeon took up
his instruments the E~Dglishman lighted
his cigar, and declared that he would
smoke until the operation was con-
cluded. He kept his word. The lifeless
leg rested upon the floor, but the En-
glishman still smoked on. The opera
ton had been performed in amost mas
terly manner, and, thanks 10 Dr. Lee
febyre's skill and attention, the patient
soon became perfectly recovered, al
though, of course, he had to be sup
piled with a wooden leg. Herewarded
the surgeon, WHOM he had learned to
esteem more and more every day (;
thanked him with tears in his eyes for
the great obligation under which he
had laid him and in a short time start
ed for England.
About two months after his patients
departure the surgeon received the fol-
lowing letter from England:
IncIosed you will receive = token Of my
boundless gratitude bill of exchange on
nv banker in Paris for 6,J0 francs. You
have endered me the happiest OF men by
i TlUulUZ lie OI n III VIII " ~ al On~NAlAC
in the way OF my happiness. Learn, then :,
the reason Of what YOU termed my madness.
You assured me there could be no lcsfifiable
motive for so singular A mutilation. | 0fer-
ed you a wager, and ! think YOU were right
in refusing IL. After my second return
from the East Indies, | became acquainted
with Susan Black, the most accomplished
| and fascinating Of women. 1 sought her
hand In marriage. Her fortune and family
were such A. met with the entire approba-
tion OF my parents. As for me, J thought
only Of her charms. was soon happy
enough to gain her Affections fact which
she did not attempt to deny; but she, at the
same time, firmly refused 10 become my
wife. In vain did ] be-eech her to do so: in
vain did her relations al second my desire.
, She was infexible. For a long time I could
/ not discover the reason OF her opposition 10
a marriage which she herself confessed
would make her happy; until. atlast- one Of
her sisters revealed the fatal secret TO me.
! Susan was a marvel Of beauty, but she was
20 unfortunate a TO have lost
a leg. and she bad consequent
ly condemned herself to eternal celibacy
determined to become like her. Thanks "a
! you, my dear Lefebvre, my wishes were
2 soon accomplished. | returned with my
/. wooden leg 10 London. hasiened TO gain
: Information of Miss Black. The report had
spread. and myself had taken care TO write
Z to my friends in England 10 the same effect
? that | had had the misfortune TO fracture my
leg. and that smputation had been found
absolutely necessary. Every one expressed
the greatest concern AZ my misfortune
= Susan tainted on the first occasion OF m
presenting myself. She was for a long tim'
(; inconsolable, but at length she consented u
: become my wife. IL was only on the morn
o ing after our marriage that | confessed q
I her the sacrifice by means OF which ! had a
= length been enabled TO gain her consent q
4 be mine. The avowal increased her love
{ Oh. my excellent friend, had ten legs q
: lose, | would give them all up for the sak'
, Of my beloved susan. So long as live, rel.
! on my gratitude. II ever you visit England
do not fail 10 come here, 30 that | may max,
: you acquainted with my wife and then tel
me whether or not | was out Of INV senses