Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-01-06

OF course 1 Incorporated my notes in the
Mercury" upon this case--after what had
been written about HMM my work upon
Tattooing, which also contained a full length
portrait in colors. II had an immense success
but strange to say, did not increase-that is,
commence-my professional practice. l pub
lished another book Of more scientific kind
with the the same result that is to say il
had none. It was tolerably successful as
medical works go-it cost the author not
more than fifty pounds or so but, as was re-
marked by the senior surgeon of our hospi-
tai, who has the misfortune TO be a wag, 'it
didn't boat the tattoo while the general
public Of course never 50 much as heard Of
One day, however, grim fortune relaxed in
to a smile which / took for good nature,
though, as it turned out, it was only cynicism
carriage and pair drove up to my door, out
of which stepped an eminent parsonage
There is a temptation to leave that descrip-
tion Of my visitor as it stands but scorn to
deceive the public and therefore hasten to
add that it was not a member Of the royal
family. He was not at that time even peer
of the realm but nevertheless he was a man
of great importance. knew him by sight as
one Of the life governors Of our hospital and
/ knew him by report as being one of the
greatest tinanciers in the city. A tall, soldier
like fellow, very upright though he bore on
his own shoulders many a gigantic spec
uluton, and with the air Of com
mand that was quite Napoeonc, as be-
fitted the master of millions. Being so very
rich, there were naturally many stories ahoat
concerning him, and all to his disadvantage
The same thing happens in the case of all
our great men, from statesmen to poets. His
mother was in the workhouse his brother in
penal servitude be had murdered his first
wife and was starving his second. He him
sef-as a slight drawback to the enjoyment
Of his i'll gotten gains had disease previous.
y unknown to the human species.
If so, / only hoped he had come TO consult
me about it, A surgeons duty is to heal, not
to give car to idle rumors. Still, l could not
help regarding him as he took his seat in my
study with a certain curiosity. His name was
Mostyn, or rather his card asserted as much
his features were Caucasian, and suggested
Moses. His speech was very calm and de-
liberate, either the result of indifference to
any change Of fortune that might possibly be-
fall him, or a precautionary measure to re-
strain natural tendency TO talk through his
nose.
My visit here, Dr. Dormer, is a strictly
confidential one. trust to your honor as a
member OF chivalrous profession-and will
also make it worth your while-not to reveal
the nature Of this application to any human
being during my lifetime
gave my promise and kept it. Mr.. Mostyn
Dives Mostyn, as the world once called him
has long since been gathered to his fathers
whoever they were. He died in Paddington
workhouse.
I'm my early days" he went on, Il bore a
very different character from that which Ihaye
since acquired Here he stopped; he was OBJ
viously in difficulty. hastened to help him
out of it,
you mean, perhaps" said l, smiling (as
though it were of no consequence that you
bore an Indifferent character; =
Just so. - he answered "thank you. Not
that l ever did anything positively dscredita-
ble."
waved my hand to intimate that even if it
had been 50 (Which was incredibly, it would
make no matter to me. This kind of treat
ment' in such cases ito speak professionally,
have always found to afford immense re-
lief.
In youth, however" proceeded my visitor,
II was what is called a neer- -do-well. l could
not settle TO anything Finance-of which, if
lmay say so, l have shown myself to De mas
ter-was a calling not at that time open to me.
| never had more than few shillings TO call
my own, and any attempt to persuade other
people to let me have the management of
their shillings would have been hopeless.
The man was ready" said Mr. Mostyn, draw
ing himself up, but the hour had not yet
struck. l quarreled with my family and en-
listed"
Here he stopped again, and nodded not
exactly approval, l hope, but acquiescence.
The thing happened snlong ago that it was
ridiculous to censure it and besides it was
not my business.
The life of a soldier, Dr. Dormer, is at
tractive to adventurous spirits and though l
never was an adventurer-far from it-I had
my dreams of military glory. They lasted
about three weeks, when deserted"
That was serious" l observed.
1T was very serious in its consequences l
was detected, brought back again-and it was
in the old times, you see"-he hesitated, and
once more had the satisfaction of helping
him out of his embarrassment.
Il think guess what happened" | said.
1T may be indicated by a single letter, may
it not =
"You are right The letter D. 1t is brand
ed between my shoulders. You are the great
authority upon brands of this description.
am come here to have it removed"
well, really, Mr.. Mostyn, said l. 'I'll do
my best. But never did have anything of
this precise character to deal with-just let
me look at it"
He took off his coat and things and barred
his shoulders.
whats it like ?" he inquired. "I have
cricked my neck a dozen times in trying to
look at it. At the time tit happened
though it was by no means q red-letter day
for me in the usual sense-I had an impress
sion-a very strong impression-that it was
red"
1T is white now" I answered, ''or nearly
so only when you strike it-see-"
II can't see, f." returned the patient, testify.
gNnufta trra l haa Xp TnY1
take my word for it that when you strike it,
| it becomes red again"
ITS quite visible, l conclude, whatever
color it is eh, doctor p
"Well, yes, l am bound to say it is
'You could read it ten feet of, dare say
Come, be frank with me-"
II am not near-sighted, my dear sir, ," Ire
| piled, ''and therefore could read it at twenty.
| It's a very large letter"
Il don't doubt it," he answered grimly.
| 1T seemed to me at one time that l was all
| d. l must look like one of those sandwich
men who go about with capitals between
their shoulders"
"Well, Mr. Mostyn, of course l should new
| er have ventured to make use of such paral-
lei, but since you mention it, it does remind
one of some sort of advertising medium.
There are many things so advertised, add
ed, coDsolingly, "of most respectable char
acter."
''No doubt" he answered, dryly. "My d
must look like something theological and de-
mandatory"
"Or certain famous sherry" said 1, fall
ing into his humor.
7'Ah, but that's not branded" he answer
ed, bitterly.
confess 1 compassionated my visitor sin
cerely. To a man in his position it must
have been very disagreeable to have this tell
tale memento OF the past about him. And,
after all, knew for certain nothing worse
about him than that he had had a distaste for
the army which, indeed, shared with him.
He had evidently a great deal of humor,
which, in private soldier, must be very
dangerous possession. There is no dis