Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-02-14
THE TWO APorhECARIEs.

follow the profession Of apothecary and sur
geon. Accordingly his father had him bound
apprentice for seven years to an eminent
surgeon OF the same place, whose name was
Stevens. The young man was so attentive
to his business that before he was out OF bis
time, he was universally allowed to be as
great proficient in medicine and surgical
| matters as his master.
/ His apprenticeship being concludeds the
/ friends and acuuaintances OF Mr.. Turner
came TO make merry and spend the evening
with him, as was at the time customary
and among the rest his father, who entering
into conversation with Mr. Stevens relative
to bis sons capacity and inclination for bis
profession, at last Addressed him:
IL should grievc TO. find any thing left un-
done that might prevent or lesson his per-
feet qualification in his art" The apotheca
ry replied. "Sir believe him to be as capa-
bic in it as myself, barring that he cannot
have had so much experience. have neglect
ed no part of his instruction, and have com
municated all know except ose single point
which is secret | di overed myself. and
having experienced its truth and its value. |
am not willing to impart ii to any one with
out an adequate compensation.
Mr.. Turner was unwilling his son should
be deficient in any point which might be
wanting to complete him for his profession,
and therefore demanded the price Of his Sc
cret. "Sir" answered MIR. Stevens, of your
son makes proper use of II, II may bring m
thousands look upon IT as iniaihble, and
to man ofprudeuce, and great practice, 1t
may be invaluable; but as your son has, serv.
ed his time with me, aud has behaved well
and diligently 10 his business, will make
him master of this useful ard excellent nos
tum for thirty guineas" Alter little con
sidera,ion and debating the matter with his
son, MIR. Stevens agreed to take twenty
guneas, which were paid Immediately, and
he gave in return slip Of paper, on which
seven words were written, being the recipe
OF his great and precious nostrum
The old gentleman, after reading the re-
ceipe, burst into violent passion, saying he
had been delranded, and had parted with
his money without an equivalent compensa-
ton, and that he would appeal to the laws
for redress. The SUI geon being in posses
sion of the money remained quiet, and per-
mitted him to vent his rage at ieIsurej when
this bad somewhat subsidized he said calmly
to Mr.. Turner. "Why sir although You make
so light this secret, because you know y, yet,
insignificant as it may seem to you,. 1t has
put many hundred pounds into my pocket,
aud if your son will always bear It IN mind,
and make proper Use Of it, he may turn 1t to
az good an account as have done"
Still this did not satisfy oil! Mr.. Turner:
at length his son interposed, and SAID to his
father, ado not, sir, make yourself uneasy
about the purchase of this seeming tr fle; my
master has treated me kindly during the
whole term of my apprenticeship and have
10 reason to suppose he wishes 10 impose on
either of US You, sir, do not understand
our business; there are secrets IN all trades
an1 have no doubt but | shall, as Mr..
Stevens SAYS, profit greatly BY this valuable
arcannm, so that beg you will be contested
and leave the rest TO me; shall take care
the money shall not be thrown away"
By this interposition OF the. SOD, his father
becars easg; and when the company broke
up, took him home.
| A few days after he wanted his son to set
ND in business for himself immediately m
opposition to bis old master, whom he stu
considered. q, having cheated him The
young gentleman, however, had mind to
travel and endeavored to convince his iathel
how necessary it was to get TO Paris ioi
| further experience 10 the practice OF surgery
and that in that city surgeons had the op
portunities Of peIfecting themselves IN theil
profession. st length the old gentleman
however, reluctantly gave his consents ane
his son set out for Paris. g
| After his arrival there he attended the hos
pitfalls during a year, and then continued h''
travels through Italy and Germany. Afiel
having thus employed seven or eight years
and being greatly improved ~ his person,
learning and professional skill IN both physi'
and surgery, nc returned to England with q
resolution 10 travel all over il in the charact
err of mountcbank doctor, which profession
was at that time in great esteem both IN Ger
many and Italy. S.,
This he accordingly began 70 do with grea
success and applause, having completed his
tour in about year, he at last contrived &c
arrive at the little town where he had served
his time His long absence had mace snch
an alteration in his person and features tha'
he was under no apprehension oil being known ~
so that assuming the name OF Baron dc ne
toutgnac, and announcing himself as "a
nous foreign physician, on his travels through,
out Europe, he adTel Used that he proposed
remaining some time in Canterbury and Il:
Vicinity. Accordingly he began by making
figur with his carriage ard servants, and
ia a short Ii ne acquired great reputation as
well as emolument from number oi cures
which he performed.
1t so happened that one day whae ne was
mounted on his stage in this town, ATTENDED
by his servants, who dealt out his medicines
Ito the numerous purchasers, his old master
lSteeyens. approached as near as ne couia' ~