The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-09-06
osidence, position and family .

time, DuJ not at present. Oegyou 10
consider me a man Of honor"
"a man Of honor does not utter un-
justifiable threats against his guests.
/ have to perform a duty even towards
you, who are stranger to me. My
reasons for refusing to accede to your
absurd request are, rs you must admit,
sound and Just. Do you wish to be
the murderer of an innocent father of
a large family p
"Well, Monsieur Lefebvre," replied
the Englishman, taking up the pistol,
~ will not fire upon you, and yet ]
will compel you to cut off this leg.
What you refuse to do to oblige. me,
through love Of gain or fear of bull
let, you shall do through humanity"
"How so, sir p
"I intend to shatter my leg with this
pistol, and that, too, before your eyes"
answered the Englishman, who accord
ingly seated himself, cooked the pis-
tol, and then took deliberate aim at
his knee-joint.
Lefebvre rushed forward to prevent
him, but the Englishman coolly ex-
claimed:
"Do not come near if you do l fire.
Now only answer me this question Do
you wish to prolong my suffering need
lessly ?"
"Sir, you are mad" answered the
doctor, in despair; "but have your
own way-I am ready to do as you
WISH"
Everything was ready for the ope-
ration. AS soon as the doctor took up
his instruments the Englishman light
ed his cigar, and declared that he
would smoke until the operation was
conclu led. He kept his word. The
lifeless leg rested upon the floor but
the Englishman smoked on, The op-
Grafton had been performed il a lIost
mastery manner, and, thanks to Or.
Lefebvre's skill and attention, the pa
tient soon became perfectly recovered,
although, of course, he had TO be sup.
piled with wooden leg. He reward.
ed the surgeon, whom he had learned
to esteem more and more every day
thanked him with tears in his eyes fol
the great obligation under which he
had laid him and in a short time
started for England.
About two months after his patients
departure the surgeon received the fol
lowing letter from England
Inclosed you will reeive token o
my boundless gratitnde--a bill of ex
change on my banker in Paris foi
$500 francs. You have rendered me
the happiest of men by ridding me o
limb which was an obstacle in tn,
way of my happiness. Learn then, tn,
reason of what youstermed my mad
ness. You assured nae that there coulC
be no iusti6able excuse for so singula
a mutilation. l offered you a wager
and / think you were right in refusin,
. it. After my second return from tn
East Indies / became acquainted viii
Susan Black, the most accomplishe,
and fascinating of women. | sough
her hand in marriage. Her fortun
; and family we're such as met with tn
entire appreciation of my parents. A
, for me, l thought only of her charms
1 was soon happy enough to gain he
. affections,-a fact which she did nc
, attempt to deny; but she, at the sam
time firmly refused to become my wifi
, In vain did l beseech her to do so i
: vain did her relations all second m
! desire. She was inaexible. For
r long time could not discover the res
son of her opposition to a marriag
, which she herself confessed would max
' her happy until at last, one of he
sisters revealed the fatal secret to mi
Susan was q marvel Of beauty, but sh
was so unfortunate as to have lost
e leg. and she had consequently col
l.. demned herself to eternal celibacl
;. Nv resolution was quickly formed, an
' / determined TO become like he
\ Thanks to you. my dear Lefebyre, N
v wishes were soon accomplished. | rt
5 turned with my wooden leg to LoI
n don. / fastened to gain ipformatio
of Miss Black. The report had bee
spread, and myself had taken cal
to write to my friends in England
!. the same effect, that ], had the misfoI
tune to fracture my leg, and that an
g putation had been found a6solutel
necessary. Every one expressed IL
e greatest concern, at my mistoItun
Susan tainted on the occasion of m
h frst presenting myself. She was fI
e long time incOnsolable, but at lengi
d she consented to become my wife.
was only on the morning after OF
s, marriage that l confessed to her Il
sacrifice by which 1 had at length bee
I. enabled to gain her consent to be min
\. The ayowal increased her love. Oh
~ e. Ii -. -.