The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-03-03
An E1.ConsuI,s story.

An Ex-COnsuI's Story.
To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle:
A late United States Consul at one Of
the English inland ports, who is now
private resident of New York, relates the
following interesting story. He objects,
for private reasons, to having his name
published, bit authorizes the lUriter TO
substaEtidte his statement, and, if neces-
sary, to refer to him, In his private
capacity, any person seeking such ref
erence. Deferring to his wishes, l
hereby present his statement In almost
the exact language in which he gave it
to me, G. NJ. FARMER,
1890 Third AUeRte, NetC York
On my last voyage home from England
some three years ago, in one of the Cunard
steamers, / noticed one morning, after a
few days out of port, young man hob
bling about the upper deck, supported
by clutches and seeming TO move with
( extreme difficulty and no little pain. He
was well dressed and of exceedingly hand
some countenance, but his limbs were
somewhat emaCiated and his face very sal
low and bore the traces Of long suffering.
As he seemed 10 have no attendant or com
panlon, he at once attracted my sYmpathles,
and went up To him as he leaned against
the tatfrail looking out on the toamlng
, track which the steamer was making.
"' Excuse me, my young friend, l said,
touching him gently on the shoulder. you
appear to be an invalid and hardly able or
strong enough 10 trust yourself unattended
on an ocean voyage bat if you require any
, assistance | am a robust and healthy man
and shall be glad TO help you
You are very kind he replied, IN a
weak voice, but | require no present and
beyond my crutcheS, which enable me TO
pass from my state-rOOm up here 10 get the
benefit OF the sunshine and the sea breeze
"A
doubt ! said. and judge that you have
been afflicted with that most troublesome
disease - rheumatism, whose prevalence
and intensity seem 20 he on an alarming
increase both in England and America
90 You are right. he answered; have
been its victim for more than year, and
after failing TO find relief from medical
skill have lately tried the Springs OF Carls-
bad and Nichy. But they have done me
no good and am now or my return home
to Missouri 20 die, 1 suppose. / shall be
content If life is spared To me 10 reach my
mothers presence. She is a widow and |
am her only child.
" There was pathos in this speech which
affected me profoundly and awakened in
me deeper sympathy than had felt be-
fore. | had no words to answer him. and
stood silently beside him watching the
snowy wake of the ship. While thus stand
ing my thoughts reverted TO Child-a ten
year old bOy-Of "a neighhOr Of mine residing
cured Of a stubborn case Of rheumatism
by the use OF ST. Jacobs Oil and l remem-
bered that the steward of the ship had told
me the day before that he had cured him
self OF q very severe attack of the govt in
New York, Just before ms last voyage, by
the use of the same remedy / at once
left my young friend and went below TO
find the steward. / not only found him
off duty. but discovered that he had bot
tie OF the OIL in his locker which he had
II
attack. He readily parted with il on my
representation, and hurrying up again, l
soon persuaded the young man te allow me
10 take him to his berth and apply the
remedy. After doing so l covered him up
snugly in bed and equested him not 70 get
up until ! should see him again. That
evening ] returned 10 his stateroom and
found him sleeping peacefully and breath
ing gently / reused him and inquired
how he felt. Like new man, he an
swered with a grateful smile. l feel no
pain and am able 10 stretch my limbs with
out difficulty. think I'll get up No, don't
get up tonight, / said, but let me rub YOU
again with the Oil, and in the morning you
will be able to 90 above All right, he said,
laughing. / then applied the Oil again rub
bling his knees ankles, and arms thor
oughly. until he said he felt as if he had
a mustard poultice all over his body. ! then
left him. The next morning when l went
upon deck for breezy promenade, accord
waiting for me with a smiling face, aud
rithOW his crUtches, although he limped in
his movements. but without pain. | don't
think ever felt 50 happy in my life. To
make long story short, ! attended him
closely during the rest OF the voyage-some
four days applying the Oil every night
and guarding him against too much expos
ure TO the fresh and damp breezes. and on
landing at New York, he was able with
out assistance, to mount the hotel omnibus
and 90 TO the Aston House. l called on him
two days later, and found him actually en-
gagged in packing his trunk, preparatory tn
starting West for his home, that evening.
With bright and grateful smile he vel
coined me, and pointing to little box care
fully done up in thick brown paper, which
stood upon the table he said: MY good
friend can you guess what that is p pres
ent for your sweetheart | answered. No
he laughed-that is a dozen bottles of St
jacobs Oil, which l have Just purchased
from Hudnut, the druggist across the way,
and am taking them home 10 show my
good mother what has saved her sons life
and restored HIM TO her in health And
with it would like 10 carry you along also,
to show her the face OF him, without whom,
1 should probably never have tried it. II
YOU should ever visit the little village Of
Sedalia, in Missouri Charlie Townsend and
his mother will welcome you to their little
home, with hearts full of gratitude, and
they Will show you a bottle of St Jacobs
Oil enshrined in silver and gold casket,
which we shall keep as a parlor orna-
ment as well as memento of our meeting
on the Cunard steamer
We parted, after an hours pleasant
chat, with mutual good Will and esteem.
and few weeks afterwards received let
ter from him telling me he was in perfect
health, and containing many graceful ex
pressions of his affectionate regards. -
Brooklyn Eagle.