The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-09-06
Was II Worth A Leg.

il was IN tue autumn of the year l1s1
that a surgeon in Boulogne. of the name
Of Etienne Letrbvre. received letter
not barring any signature, requesting g
blm 10 repair ot the following day = q
country house which Vas situated on
the road leading 10 Calais. and 20 br!ne
along such instruments IS world be
needed 20 perform an oderation Lese.
bvre was ~ that period we'll known as a
distinguished and successful operator
80 much -. indeed, that he was not un-
frequently sent for from great distances.
lie had served fnr a considerable
time IN the navy, and his manners bad,
therefore, acquired certain degree oi
biuntnes-; but. when you once became
acquainted with him. you could not
help liking him for the natural uuaf
fected goodness Of his heart.
H Was naturally somev'ba, surprised
at this anonymous ccnl mun.cation; Tor.
although the time and place were. as
already stated, mentioaed with great
ninutcuess, there was no clue afforded
by which the writer could be identified.
He therefore, came 10 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
cciyed a similar summons, but couched
IN more pressing terms than the first.
and he was informed that at . o'cloc k
III the morning carriage would be
sert to bring him 10 the place where he
was anxIoCsly expected Accordingly,
next morning sure enough. AT the stroke
o: 9, a carriage drove UP TO his door.
The doctor no longer made any hesita-
tion, but at once took his scat in the car
riagc. A. he was getting il, he in.
quirsd OF the c0Gchman where he was
to be taken to; but the mau appeared
either not TO know, or did not choose TO
tell; but. as he spoke in English. Lefe-
bvre said to himself, so it Is an En-
glishman TO whom am summoned" ?"
and he accordingly prepared himself
for any exhibition of fcccentricity on the
part Of one Of that Nation which even
now is so little understood by Conti-
nentals At length the carriage stopped
and the doctor hastcusd into the house.
He was received at the entrance 10y IL
finelooking young man of about twen-
ty-tive years of age. who requested him
TO walk into large and handsome room
on the first floor His accent showed
him to be an Englishman. The follow
ing conversation then cnsued between
them:
You have sent for me-" said the
doctor.
II am very much obliged to yor for
the trouble you have taken in coming
here" rujoined the Englishman. BE
so good as to seat yourself at table.
where you will find chocolate, coffee. or
WINE, in case ycu wish TO partakc of
anything before commencing the opera
tion"
But first show me the patient. |
wish To satisfy myself that an operation
is absolutely necessary.
at is necessary. Monsieur Lefebvrc;
pray be seated. | have entire conf
dencc in you; only listen to me. Here
is purse containing 100 guineas, which
l offer you as a Zee for the operation
you are asked to perform. no matter
what the result may be. IN case OF
your refusing compliance with my re-
quest, you see this pistol. 1t Is loaded,
and You are in my power. As horc for
salvation. | will blow your brains out "
Sir. am not to be deferred from
doing what ! consider proper 10y any
fear Of your pistol. But what DO you de-
sire. What am expected to do I:
"You must cut my right leg off =
with all my heart answered the
Surgeon. thinking that this was - char
actcris,ic specimen of thoscsmad En
slish "and your hand, also. if nocrss \
~ or desirable However, unless am
greatly mistaken. your leg is perfectly
sound. saw you walk down stairs
with the greateat activity. What can
be The matter with your leg =
Nothing; but it must come of. ="
"Sir. are You mad ::
That is no concern of yours, Mon
sicur Lefebvre."
What harm can that handsome limb
have done -
None at all; hut still YOU must make
up your mind TO amputato il.
"Sir. | have no acquaintance with
YOU; give me so'ue proof that YOU are
in sound mind" naturally demanded
the doctor.
"will you consent 10 my wishes.
Monsieur Letebvre :"
As soon as you can assign any ade-
quste or reasonable motive fer 50 un-
necessary an operation"
Il cannot at present euter iuto any
cxplanatiou-in year, perhaps, | will
GO 50. But | will bet YOU. sir, that then
YOU will ackpoN lcde that my reasons
for my present seemingly extravagaut
conduct are most pure, manly snd no
ble, aud even rational.
/, is quite Impossible tor nae, rc-
monstrated the surgeon, =" II comply
until YOU tell me your name. place 81
residence. position and family.
"You shall be made acquainted with
all these particulars At some future time,
hut net At present. hsg .on - cou-
slider me man of honor.
"A man Of houor does aot utter UT
justitiahle threats aCsin,, has guest. |
have to perform duty even towards
YOU, who are stranger 10 M. Ny
reasons for refusing 10 acc,le 70 your
absurd request, - yoa must admir-, afe
sound ans. Just. Do YOU wish ,o be the
murderer of al innoo.nt father # =
large family
We'll. Monsieur Lefebsre, replied
the Engli>hmsn taking up the pistol ,
Il Will lie; fire upon yea. and Yet | Wall
t - os, "A this lev. What