Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-07-31
RTOOMSBURG. COLUMBIA CO.. Pa. WEDNESDAY, JUL


hair, his boyish voice, and tolerablc set of
teeth, contributed essentially TO his juvenile
appearance.
lie was now principal medical officer. lie
installed himself in a pretty cottage at the
head of jamestown, aud revelled in the
tropical fruits, as many who read this ac-
count will remember. A certain mango
tree was his favoritc power. He paid well
for all he had, and those who had
the best opportunity Of knowing him as
serted that, selfish, odd and cranky rs he
was, he had kindness for the poor, and was
charitable without ostentatation. lie would
60 about, bestriding his pony in strange
fashion, with an umbrella over his head.
His saddle was curiosity. 1t was so COM
&. fortably padded and so safely shaped, that
once wedged into it, it was marvel how he
got out of it. In uniform he was carca-
turc His boot heels were two inches above
the ground, and within the boots were so!es
three inches thick. Add TO these boots
very long spurs, crown the sandy curls with
a cooked hat, and complete all with sword
big enough for diagoon, and you have the
doctor complete. The pony was ovvclop-
cd in net from ears to heels, and swung
the tassels about impatient of the gear
The black man attended at the beasts head,
and Psyche trippcd after them, the Doctors
treble waking up the hot silncc Of the one
narrow street shut in by barren rocks, and
Psyche's bark making discord at inter.
vas.
lie then established himself in the old
fashion at Government House. where he
was suffered to talk of his aristoclatic ac-
quaintancc, sometimes alluding to those of
other days in manner sufficiently puzzling.
As mt Cape Town lic became the family
physician, or considered himself such, and
gave himself his usual airs when called in
to private family. lie effected some great
cures, and gained the confidence Of his pa
tients. His presence at the hospital was
signal for the juniors to all be on the alert.
The soldiers liked him and trusted in his
skill; but woe bctidc the laegard medco
who was not there to receive the =. VI. o.,
or who had swered one hair breadth from
hi instructions.
All went on harmoniousy enough for up
wards ofa year, when the doctor, in an evil
moment, picked a quarrel with an officer Of
the garrison. The affair led to a challenges
which the doctor declined in no digniiied
way, and il was followed by his open oxpul-
sion from the garrison mess as an honorary
member. Fnnal'y, the Governor called for
court ofinquiry, which resulted in James
being sent home under arrest.
The writer of this article witnessed his
exit from James Town. On one of those
still sultry mornings peculiar to the tropics,
the measured step of the doctors pony woke
up the echoes Of the valley. There came
the p. NJ. o., looking faded and crest fallen
lie was in plain clothes. lie had shrunk
away wonderfully His blue jacket hung
loosely about him, his white. trousers were
n world too wide, the veil garnishing lis
broad straw hat covered bis face, and lie
carried the inevitable umbrella over his
head so that it screened him from the gen.
era' gaze. The street was deserted but 9TH
er eyes besides the writer's looked on the
group through the Venetian blinds. No
sentry presented arms at the gates, and the
familiar Guartette proceeded unnoticed
along the lines 10 the ships boat in wait
ing
His influence had been at work for him
before he landed. lie was released from
arrest, outrageous as his conduct had been,
and again had his choice of quarters. lie
went to other stations in the tropics, to
Greece, and the Mediterranean. lie retain
ed his taste for Government House society,
and as he grew older got less tasty. lie be-
gan to think Of death and sepulturc, aud
would have had friend in the West Indies
take an oath that, if lie (James) died there,
he should bo buried in the garments he wore
at the time. The friend declined 10 swear,
but James did not quarrel with him.
His last voyage was made as an amateur.
Our winter drove him to the West Indies
again, where he gave out contidcntially"
that his rcasonsfor leaving England were
very sad: "a broken-off engagement with
young and beautiful creature, and some
trouble in money matters. lie had lost
documents, jewels, and family records, on
board vessel which had foundered at sea.
He was unhappy and he wanted solacc."
His former opponent in the duel was com
mander-in- chief, and lie and Sames were
capital friends.
The summer of ga brought him back to
England, with Black John and little dog,
whose name was not Psyche. As the Great.
ure is probably living, she shall be nameless.
Doctor James mustnow have been quite sew
enty years old. His friends of.former days
held by him to tho last, he was often all.
ing, and the kind ladies Of his Cape patrons
would take him out driving in the
park, and would have him to dinner, with
provision of suitable fruits and cakes and
coffee. \,
II was asserted that he aspired to the
honor of being X. G.. B., and his new