Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-02-23
An Ex-Consul's story.

A late United States Consul al one Of
the English inland ports. who is now a
private resident Of New York, relates the
following intsIe,ting story. He objects,
for private reasons. TO having his name
published. but authorizes the writer TO
substantiate his statement. aud, il neces-
sary, to refer to him, IN his private ca
pacity, any person seeking such refer
ence. Deferring to his wishes. hereby
present his statement in almost the ex-
act language in which he gave 1t to me.
C. NJ. FARMER.
1900 Third avenue. y. Y.
"On my last voyage home from Eng
lind, some three years ago, in one of the
Cunard steamers, noticed one morning,
after few days out of port, young man
hobbling about on the upper deck, sup
ported by crutches ana seeming to move
with extreme difficulty and no little pain.
He was well dressed and of exceedingly
handsome countenance, but his limbs
"NAS anu Ills
very sallow and bore the traces of long
suffering. As he seemed to have no at
tendant or companion, he at once at
tracted my sympathies, and went up to
him as he leaned against the taffrail look
ing out on the foaming track which the
steamer was making.
Excuse me, my young friend said
touching him gently on the shoulder,
you appear to be an invalid and hardly
able or strong enough to trust youself
unattended on the ocean voyage; but if
you require any assistance am a robust
and healthy man and shall be glad to
help YOU
"'Iou are very kind, he replied, in a
weak voice, but l require no present aid
beyond my crutches, which enable me to
pass from my stateroom up here to get
the benefit of the sunshine and the sea
breeze
"'You have been great sufferer no
doubt l said, and judge that you have
heen afflicted with that most troublesome
disease-rheumatism, whose prevalence
and intensity seem to be on an alarming
increase both in England and America. ;
"'You are right he answered; 4 have
been its victim for more than a year.
and after failing to find relief from med.
ical skill have lately tried the Springs of
Carlsbad and Vichy. But theyi have
done me no good. and am now on nv
return home to Missouri to die, suppose.
shall be content if life is spared to me
t. reach my mothers presence. She is a
widow and l am her only child
There was pathos in this speech
which affected me profoundly and awak-
eaed in me deeper sympathy than had
felt before. l had no words to answer
him, and stood silently beside him watch.
ing the snowy wake of the ship. While
thus standing my thoughts reverted to a
crl|d--a ten year old boy-of a neishbor
OF mine residing near my consulate resi-.
dence, who had been cured of a stubborn
case of rheumatism by the use of st. ia.
cohs Oil, and l remembered that the
steward of the ship had told me the day
before that he had cured hi nsplf Of q
very severe attack of the gout in New
York just before his last VOYAGE by the
use of the same remedy. l at once left
my young friend and went below to find
the steward. not only found him of
duty, but discovered that he had bottle
of the Oil in his locker. which h. shad
carried across the ocean in ease of another
attack. He readily parted with it on my
representation, and hurrying up again
soon persuaded the young man to al
low me to take him to his berth and ap
ply the remedy. After doing so covered
him up snugly in bed and requested him
not to get up until should see him
again. That evening I returned to his
stateroom and found him sleeping peace
fully and breathing gently. I reused
him and inquired how he felt. Like a
new man. he answ cred with a grateful
smile. 4 feel no pain and am able to
stretch my limbs without difficulty. ]
think I'll get up NO, don't get up to-
nj .ht. ] said, but let me rub you again
with the Oil, and in the morning you
will be able to 60 above 'All right,
he said, laughing. 4 then applied the
Oil again, rubbing his knees, ankles and
arms thoroughly, until he said he felt as
if he had mustard poultice all over his
body. l then left him. The next morn
ing when l went upon deck for breezy
promenade, according to my custom.
found my patient waiting for me with
a smiling face, and without his crutches
although he limped in his movements
but without pain. I don't think I evel
felt SO happy in my life 10 make long
story short, attended him closely during
the rest of the voyage-some four days.
applying the Oile"ery night, and guard
ing him against too much exposure tt
the fresh and damp breezes, and on land
ing at New York, he was able withou
assistance, to mount the hotel omnibus
and 60 to the Astor House. l called or
him two days later. and found him actu
ally engaged In packn his trunk. pre-
paratory to starting West for his home
that evening. With bright and grace
fnl smile he welcomed me, and pointing