The National tribune., 1893-02-02

Il amputation. The most
AEM,Sss.--lSzH celebrated man in the
~ Is Ef Es profession at that
TNVssS~Ssf.y epoch. it was no I'M
usual thing for him to be summoned even
across the Channel to England for the exercise
of his skill. Nevertheless. the receipt of tins
anon mous note did somewhat surprise MN.
The day. the hour and the place were gwen
with the greatest exactness, but, as stated, no
name was signed.
Some practical Joker doubtless, who thinks
to make fool of me" he thought, and ala not
60.
Three days later he received another request
couched in more urgent terms, and also con.
tanning the notification that next day, at y
o'clock sharp, carriage would call for hlm.
In fact, prompt TO the minute the following
morning an elegant open carriage drew up AZ
his door. Thevenet hesitated no longer. but
took his seat in it. As the carriagedoor closed
upon him, however. he said 10 the driver:
But who is il that wants me; to whom DO
You take me?"
Things of which am ignorant concern me
not" the driver answered, which was equlTa-
lent to adding: And what i don't know i
won't get into trouble by talking Of"
You are a churli" testify cried Tbevenet;
but the coachman sat as dumb as carp, and
presently the carriage halted before the door OF
the house designated.
But whom am called for? Who lives or is
i'll here?" Thevenet demanded again, before
disiDounting from the carriage
The coachman shrugged his shoulders and
answered as before.
The house door opened at the moment, and
gentleman came TO meet him, man close upon
80 perhaps, who spoke with pronounced
English accent, and who at once escorted him
TO q large. airy bedroom on the second floor OF
the dwelling
lyon sent for me, Monsieur" Thevenet
demanded.
Yes. and am exceedingly obliged for the
trouble you have taken to respond" replied
the Englishmsn. BE seated. please coffee,
chocolate, or wine is here beside you in case
you desire refreshnent before the operation"
Show me the patient. Monsieur; an exami-
nation must be made first to determine if au
amputation be really necessary"
Il But ] tell you that it is necessary. NJ.
Thevenet, absolutely necessary. Sit down.
] beg of yon, and listen to me one moment.
Your skill is well known to me; have
perfect faith in you, and here. waiting for you,
is purse containing your fee-l00 guineas-
for the operation that you arc called TO per-
form. Nor is that all you will receive, pro-
vided the thing is successfully done. On the
other hand. if you refuse to yield to my wishes,
behold this pisto-you are in my power and
never miss my man."
Il do not fear your pistol. sir" Thevenet
returned. Bat what do you want of me?
Speak out-Why an | brought heref"
ITO cut of-my right leg!"
Certainly, sir, certainly; your head, too,
if you wish it, But your leg, Monsieur, or l
am nightly mistaken. is perfectly sound.
You ram upstairs ahead of me as spry as a
rope-dancer. What als your leg, Monsieur ,"
Nothing, nothing whatever; / ouly wish
to be rid of it,"
rid of sound leg. Sir, you are fool"
(which is no affair of yours. Monsieur
TheFenet remember"
:" But how has it offended you. that leg of
yours2"
lit has not-not the least in the world; but
I'm bound TO bave it of Yes or no, Mon.
Thevenet; will you do as require?"
just as soon, sir, as you bring me witnesses
10 prove your sanity. give me some reason
able or defensibieg ground for your wish to be
mutilaied."
But cannot at the moment tell you the
trnth Of the matter. l may, however before
the year is out. Moreover. I'll wager you,
Mon. lie Doctor, that when that time comes
you yourself will agree that the ground upon
which based my wish to be rid of my leg was
of the nobiest."
Il decline. sir, decline peremptorily, TIN
you give me your name, home. family, and
occupation.
"All OF which you shall know in the future,
though not at present. / am gentleman and
q man OF honor; later on'-
a man Of honor does rot threaten his phys-
clan with pistol. repeat, then, unless there
is sctual necessity for so doing will not mutt
late yon. have duties to perform, even to one
unknown 10 me- Ii you desire to be the MUIR
dercr OF an innocent man, of father of fam
iiv--shoot and be hanged TO youl"
Good I'll do it. Mon. Thevenet" ex-
claimed the Briton. seiZing the pistol. "pll
shoot. as you say. but I'll not shoot you, though
I'll force you. all the same, to cut off my leg.
What you refuse to do for me from courtesy,
for love Of money fear of bullet, you shall
do through pity"
"Eh? Pity, say you?" said Thevenet.
Exactly, for here on the spot now this
moment. I'll shatter my leg with pistol ball !"
TbcEenet sprung up ~ wrest the pistol from
him.
St0p!' cried the Englishman," one step and
Ere; but FIRST answer me question: DO you
ssK you as a srrseon-wfsh TO unnecessarily
increase or proloitg my suffering?''
You are q fool, sir, a stubborn fool. Bot
have your way Get ready; will cut off your
leg"
Which he did without further pariey. accom-
plishing his task like master. The invalid
by his skill restored to health in the briefest
while, rewarded him richly, claspcd him
gratefully 10 his heart at parting shed tears of
Joy for the loss of his limb, and set out for Eng
land with z wooden leg.
Three months passed and then one dav the