The Osceola times., 1876-09-16

until at last one of her sisters revealed the
fatal secret to me. Susan was a marvel
of beauty, but she was 50 unfortunate as
to have lost leg, and she had conse-
quently condemned herself to eternal
celibacy. My resolution was quickly
formed, and determined be to like her.
Thanks to you, my dear Lefebvre, my
wishes. were soon accomplished. i re-
turned 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
absolutely necessary. Every one ex-
pressed the greatest concern at may mis-
fortune. Susan tainted on the first occa-
sion Of my presenting myself. She was
for a long time inconsolable, but at
length she consented to become my
wife. 1t was only on the morn
ing after our marriage that ] con-
fessed to her the sacrifice by means
Of which had at length been enabled to
gain her consent to be mine. The avowal
increased her love. Oh my excellent
friend had ten legs to lose would give
them all up for the sake of my beloved
Susan. So long as | live rely on my graf
itudc. II ever you visit England do not
fail to come here, 80 that | may make
you acquainted with my wife; and then
me whether or not was out of my tell
senses. Yours, faithfully,
ARTHUR OxLEY.
In the year 1898, during the reign Of
terror, the surgeon of Boulogne, having
been accused of being an aristocrat by
one of his younger professional brethren,
who envied him his practice, was obliged
to take refuge in London in order TO save
his neck from the guillotine. Being
without employment or acquaintance,
he inquired for the residence OF his former
patient, Mr.. Oxley. He was directed to
it and ON arriving at the house he sent
up his name, and was Immediately ad-
mitted. In huge armchair, seated be-
fore the fire, with bottle of wine beside
him, sat portly parsonage, whose size
was so great that it was with difficulty
he could rise to welcome his visitor.
Welcome, Monsieur Lefebvre," ex-
claimed the huge Englishman. " Do
not be offended at my receiving you in
this manner, but my cursed wooden
leg won't allow me to do anything
You have come, no doubt, my friend
to see it, in the long run, you were not
right"
al am fugitive seeking an asylum
among you"
You shall stay with me for you are
really wise man. You will console me
Do you know, my dear Lefebvre, that
had it not been for this abominablt
wooden leg rendering me useless should
have been admiral of the Blue. spenC
my life in reading the newspapers and in
curses that am tied here when every
body else is up and doing. Remain here
you shall comfort me.
Your charming wife can doubtles
do that better than / can"
ooh, as for that, no. Her wooden leg
prevents her from gadding about ant
dancing; so she has, as a resource, giver
herself up to cards and scandal. There
is no possibility of living alone with her
in other respects she is a good enough wo
man. | was an unutterable fool. II
had my leg back again | would not par
with the pairing of Il single nail. Between
ourselves / must have been crazy; but
keep that to yourself.