Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-01-27
An Er-Consul's Story.

To the Editor Of The Brooklyn Eagle:
A late United States Consul at one of the
English inland ports, who is now a private
resident of New York, relates the following
interesting story. He objects, for private
reasons, to having his name published, but
authorizes The writer TO substdntiate his statement,
and if necessary, to refer to him, in his priv
ate capacity, any person seeking such refer
ence. Deferring to his wishes, hereby pre-
sent his statement in almost the exact Ian
guage in which he gave it to me.
c. NJ. FARMER,
1850 Third aveaue, New 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 hobbling about
on the upper deck, supported bs crutches and
seeming to move with extreme difficulty and
no little pain. He was well dressed and Of
exceedingly handsome countenance, but his
limbs were somewhat emaciated and his face
very sallow and bore the traces of long suffer
ing. As lie seemed to have no attendant or
companion, he Mt once attracted my sympa-
thies, and / went up to him as he leaned
against the taffrail looking out on the foam
ing track which the steamer was making
EAcusc lIc, my NouHk iicnui Suioj
touching him gently on the shoulder, you APP
pear to be an invalid and hardly able or strong
enough to trust yourself unattended on an
ocean voyage; but II you require any assist
ance am robust and healthy man and shall
be glad to help you.'
"'You are very kind he replied, in weak
voice, but 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
GO You have been great sufferer, no doubt,
said, 'and / judge that you have been af-
ficted 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; have
been its victim for more than year, and after
failing to find relief from medical skill have
lately tried the Springs of Carlsbad and Vichy.
But they have done me no good, and am now
on my return home to Missouri to die, sup
pose. ! shall be content If life is spared to me
TO 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
a deeper sympathy than had felt before.
had no words to answer him, and stood silent
ly beside him watching the snowy wake of the
ship. While thus standing my thoughts re-
verted TO a chld-a ten year old boy-of a
neighbor of mine residing near my consulate
residence, who had been cured of a stubborn
case OF rheumatism by the use of st. Jacobs
| Oil, and remembered that the steward of the
ship had told me the day before that he had
| cured himself OF u very severe attack OF the
| gout In New York just before his 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 of duty, bui
discovered that he had a bottle OF the Oil In
his locker, which he had carried across th,
ocean In case of another attack. He readily
parted with 1t on myrepresentation, and hurry
ing up again, soon persuaded the young mar
TO allow me. TO take him TO his berth and appl,
the remedy After doing so covered him vi
snugly In bed aud requested him not to &c
up until should see him again. That even
ing returned to his stateroom and found hin
sleeping peacefully and breathing gently.
reused him and inquired how he felt NlV