The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-10
Was II Worth a I.eg7


Tt was In the autumn OF the year 15s2 that
surgeon In soufogne OF the name Of
Eaienne Letebvre received letter, not bear
ing any signature, requesting him to repair
on the following day to a country house
which was situated on the road leading to
Calais, and to bring along such instruments
as would be required for performing am
operation.
NJ o a carriage drove up TO his door. The
doctor made no hesitation, but at once took
his scat in the carriage. As he was getting
in he inquired OF the coachman where he
was to be taken to; but the man appeared
either not to know or did not choose to tell
but, as he spoke in English, Lcfebvre said
to himself, " So it is an Englishman to whom
I am summoned" and he accordingly pre-
nared himself for any exhibition OF eccen-
tricity on the part OF one OF that nation
which even now is so little understood by
ContinentalS. AZ length the carriage
stoned, and the doctor fastened into the
house.
He was received at the entrance by fine.
looking Young man Of about twenty-five
wears of age, who requested him to walk
into large and handsome room on the first
floor. His accent showed him to be an
Englishman, and he said:
"Monsieur Lefebvrc, pray be seated.
have entire confidence in you; only listen
to me. Here is purse containing one hum
bred e,uineas. which offer you as fee for
the operation you arc asked to perform, no
matter what the result may be. In case OF
your refusing compliance with my request,
YOU see this pistol? 1t is loaded, and you
are in my power. AS hope for salvation,
will blow your brains out"
"Sir, I am not to be deferred from doing
what consider proper by any fear OF your
pistol. But what do you desire? What am
I expected to do:"
"You must cut my right leg off,
"With all my heart" answered the sur
peon. thinking that this was q characteristic
specimen OF those mad English; "and your
hand, also, if necessary or desirable. How
ever, unless l am greatly mistaken, your leg
is perfectly sound. / saw you walk down
stairs with the greatest activity. What can
be the matter with your leg?"
"Nothing; but it must come OIL.
"Well, Monsieur Lcfebvre," replied the
Englishman. taking up the pistol, ~ will
not fire upon you, and yet 1 Will compei
you to cut off this leg. What you refuse TO
do to oblige me, through love OF gain or fear
OF bullet, you shall do through human
ity."
Chow so, sir:''
al intend to shatter my leg with this pis-
toll. and that, too, before your eyes," an
swered the Englishman, who accordingly
seated himself, cooked the pistol, and then
took deliberate aim ut his knee-ioint.
Lefebvre rushed forward to prevent him,
but the Englishman coolly exclaimed:
ado not come near; il you do, fire.
Now only answer me this question Do you
wish to prolong my suffering neediesSly ~
"Sir, YOU are mad," answered the doctor
in despair; "but have your own way-l
am ready to do as you wish"
EVERYTHING was ready for the operation.
AS soon as the doctor took up his instru-
ments the Englshman lighted his cigar,
and declared that he would smoke until the
operation was concluded. lie kept his
word The liieless leg rested upon the iloor,
but the Englishman still smoked on. The
operation had been performed i'll most
mastery manner, and, thanks to Or. LIE
febyrc's skill and attention, the patient
soon became perfectly recovered, although,
of course, he had to be supplied with
wooden leg. He rewarded 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 laid him; and in short time
started for England.
About two months after his patients de-
parture the surgeon received the following
letter from England:
Enclosed YOU will receive token Of my
boundless gratitude-a bill OF exchange on
my banker in Paris for $500 francs. You
have rendered me the happiest OF men by
Kidding me OF 4 limb which was an obstacle
in the way OF my happiness. Learn, then,
the reason Of what you termed my madness.
You assured me that there could be no lustl-
fable motive for SO singular mutilatlon. L
offered you Il wager, and think you were
right in refusing it. After my-second re-
turn from the East Indies l became ac-
uuainted with Susan Black, the most accom-
DIished and fascinating OF women. 1sOught
her hand in marriage. Her fortune and fam
ily were such rs met with the entire appro-
baton Of my parents. AS for me, thought
ONLY OF her charms. was soon happy enough
to cain her aflections-a fact which she did
not attempt to deny; but she at the same
time firmly refused to become my wife. In
vain did beseech her to do SO; in vain did
her relations all second my desire. She was
inflexibe. For 4 long time l could not dis
cover the reason Of her opposition to mar
rage which she herself confessed would
make her happy; until at last one OF her
sisters revealed the fatal secret to me. SUI
Sui WAS u 1uul Vel VI bSNops5 WV 'AAS " wa ~
unfortunate as to have lost leg, and she
had consequently condemned herself to
eternal cclibacy. My resolution was quick
ly formed, and determined to become like
her. Thanks to you, my dear LeYeb-
Yre, my wishes were soon accom-
plished. returned with my wooden leg
to London. fastened to gain information
of Miss Black. The report had been spread,
and myself had taken care to write to my
friends in England to the same effect, that
had had the misfortune to fracture my leg,
and that amputation had been found abso-
lutely necessary. Every one expressed the
greatest concern at my misfortune. Susan
tainted en- the first occasion OF my present.
ing myself. She was for long time incon-
solable, but at length she consented to pc
come my wife. 1t was only on the morning
after our marriage that l confessed to her
the sacrifice by means Of which had Mt
length been enabled to gain her consent TO
b. mine. The ayowal increased her love.
Oh! my excellent friend, had l ten legs TO
lose would give them all up for the sake OF
nv beloved Susan. So long as live rely
on my gratitude. II ever you visit Eng
land do not fail to come here, so that may
make you acquainted with my wife; and
then tell me whether or not I was out OF my
senses. Yours, faithfully,
ARTHUR OxLEY.
Mons. Lefebyre answered the letter Of his
English friend in the following terms: