The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-02-13
THE LOST LEG

h'"' 'hcNche', vi Caials, reColvCd n
note without signature requesting him to
call on the following day at retired
country house situated on the road lead
ing toward Paris, and to bring with him
what might bc needed to pcrfOrm an
amputat;on. Thcvcnct was mt that timo
widely known rs the most skillful man
In his profession, and it was not an un
usual occurrence for him to bo sum
m0ned across the channel to England
ior tnc cxcrcrsc or mrs prore,sronur skftr
lie had served long time in the army,
was somewhat brusYuc in his manner,
and yet one could not help loving him for
his native kindness of heart
ThcvCnCt was somewhat surpriscJ bv
tho receipt of this anonymous note. Tho
day, the hour aud place, were given wit ,
the greatest cxnctncss, but, as stated,
inc signature was wanting. Some buff
foon probably thinks to make fool of
me, thought he, and he did not 20.
Three days later he received u similar
invitation, but in moro urgent terms,
and also containing u notification that on
the following day, nt . o'clock, car
riagc would call at his house TO fetch
him.
In truth, on the following morning, as
tho clock struck ., an elegant open car.
rage appeared before his door. They.
cne., without further hesitation. seated
h''hseN IN II. At the door OF tho Car
riaSe, however, he said to the coach
hiae "To whom are you going to take
"Things which. I do not know do not
concern me-" replied the coachman.
"iou are churl,' replied Thovenct.
AT length the carriage stopped in
front Ofwthc house before indicated.
"upon whom am | to call1' "Who
hvts here" "Who is i'll hcrcl" inquired
Ehrvcnct Of the coachman, before get
ting out Of the carriage. The coachman,
noN ever, returned the same answer az
before
At the house door he was received by
a young man of about %, who conducted
him up a flight Of stairs and into large
chamber. The speech OF tho young man
disclosed the fact that he was Briton.
Vhcvcnct addressed him in English and
cccivcd friendly replies.
fion have sent for me-" said the
surgeon.
i'll am very thankful for tho pains YOU
ha3c taken to visit me, replied the Eng
lisAman. "Will you please to be seated.
H4c is chocolate, coffee and wine, il
c"T you desire to partake of some re.
frcfhmcnts before the operation"
FFirst show me to the patient, sir;
must first make IN examination to de-
If
81 assure you, Mons. Thcvenct, it is
necessary. Pray be seated. l have per-
feet faith i'll your skill Listen to me-
Her" is i'".5C containing hundred
Glincas. They are intended for you as
payment for the operation which you are
to undertake.; and that will not be
all you will receive, provided the thing
is successfully accomplished. On tho
other hand, If you refuse to yield to my
desire, you see here this pistol; you arc
in my power, and will shoot you
down"
"Sir, do not fear your pistol But
what do you desire of mca Speak out
without further parley. Why am l
brought herea"
"You must amputato my right leg"
''With all my heart, and if YOU de-
sire, your head also. But if l am not
mistaken, your leg is quite sound. You
ran up the stairs before me as nimbly as a
rope dancer. What is the matter with
your leg!"
Nothing; I only wish to bo rid OF
!.."
"Sir, you are fool"
''That is no affair of yours. Mons.
Thevenct."
"In what way has your leg offended
you2'
"ln no way; but am bound to have
it amputated."
"Sir, do not know you. At least
produce before me some witness who will
testify to your soundncss Of intellect"
"Will you accede to my wish, Mons.
Thevcnet2"
''Just as soon, sir, as you give me some
defensible ground for your desire to he
"1 cannot at the present moment COM
60 tHtn AFTER # the Ia ispsss sttfr -
year But am willing to wager You.
monsieur, that d year hence you yourself
VIII afflrm that the ground upon which
rested the desirc TO be free of my leg was
VIII not wager, so long as you do
no. give me your name, your place of
residence, your family and your occupa.
tion." ''p"'
"Ail that you shall know in the future.
not .t present. pray you, however, to
consider me as man of honor"
An honorable man does not menace
MS physician with pistol. I will not
YOU without there is q necessity