Year: 1876

sire. She was inhexible For long
time could not discover the reason of
her opposition to marriage which she
herself confessed would make her happy,
until at last one of her sisters revealed ale
fatal secret to me. Susan was q marvel
Of beauty, but she was 80 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 Lefcbvre, my
wishes were soon accomplished. I re-
turned with my wooden leg TO London
| hastened 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 elect, that
! had had the misfortune to fracture my
leg, and that amputation had been found
absolutel y necessary. Every one eI-
pressed the greatest concern at may mis-
fortune. Susan tainted on the FIRST occa-
sion of my presenting myself She was
for 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
ohem all up for the sake of my beloved
Susan. So long as | live rely on my graf
itude. If ever you visit England do not
fail to come here, 10 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 1893, 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 adj
mitted. In a huge armchair, seated be-
fore the fire, with a bottle OF wine beside
him, sat a portly rersonage, whose size
was so great that it was with difficulty
he could rise to welcome his visitor.
Welcome, Monsieur Leiebvre," ex-
claimed the huge Engishman. " DO
not be offended AZ my receiving you in
this manner, but my cursed wooden
leg wont allow me to do anything.
You have come, no doubt, my friend,
to see it, in the long run, you were not
right"


az am a fugitive seeking m asylum
among you"


You shall stay with me for you are
really wise man. You will console me-
Do you know, my dear !.etebyre, that
had it not been for this abominable
wooden leg rendering me useless should
have been admiral of the Blue. lspend !
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 doubtless
do that better than can"


"Oh, as for that, no. Her wooden leg
prevents her from gadding about and
ancng; so she has, as a resource, given
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. If |
had my leg back again | would not part
with the pairing of 4 single nail. Between
ourselves | must have been crazy; but
keep thatto yourself.