Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-02-09
An Exconsul,s Story.

VI Inc EnSilSu lnlanQ ports, who Is
now private resident of New York.
relates the following interesting
story. He objects, for private reasons.
to having his name published, but 1,t-
thoTizeS the toTiter to Stibstantiate his
statement, and, if necessary, to refer to
him, in his private capacity, any per-
son seeking such reference. Deferring
to his wishes, 1 hereby present his
statement in almost the exact language
in which he gave it to me.
G. NJ. FARMER,
1880 Third Avenue, Neto York.
"On my last voyage home from Eng
land, some three years ago, in one of
the Cunard steamers, I noticed one
morning, after few days out of port,
a young man hobbling about on the
upper deck, supported by crutches and
seeming to move with extreme difficult
ty and no little pain. He was well
dressed and of exceedingly handsome
countenance, but his limbs were sone-
what emaciated and his face very
sallow and bore the traces of long suf-
feriDg. As he seemed to have no at
tendant or companion, he at once at
tracted my smypathies, and went up
to him as he leaned against the taffrail
looking out on the foaming track
which the steamer was making.
Excuse me-, my young friend, / said,
touching him gently on the shoulder,
yoa appear to be an invalid and hardly
able or strong enough to trust yourself
unattended on an ocean voyage; but If
you require any assistance am 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
aid beyond my erutches, 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 l Judge that you
have been afflicted with the 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; Il
have been its victim for more than a
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 Mis-
souIi to die, suppose. shall be con-
tent if life is spared to me to reach
my mothers presence. She is widow
and am her only child
'There was a pathos in this speech
which affected me profoundly and
awakened in me deeper sympathy
than had felt before. l had no words
to answer him, and stood silenly beside
him watching the snowy wake of the
ship. While thus standing my thoughts
reverted to child-a ten year old boy
of a neighbor of mine residing near
my consulate residence. who had been
cured of stubborn case of rheumatism
by the use of st. Jacobs Oil, and l re-
membered that the steward of the ship
had told me the day before that he
had cured himself of very severe at
tack of the govt in New York just be-
fore his last voyage by the same rem
edy. l at once left my young friend
and went below to find the steward. l
not only found him off duty, but dis
covered that he had bottle of the Oil
in his locker, which he had carried
across the ocean in case of another at
tack. 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
apply the remedy. After doirg 80 l
covered him up snugly in bed and re-
quested him not to get up until 1
should see him again. That evening 1
returned to his stateroom and found
him sleeping peacefully and breathing
gently. L reused him and inquired
how he felt. Like new man. he an
swered with a grateful smile. I feel
no pain and am able to stretch my
limbs without difficulty. l think I'll
get up No, don't get up tonight, 1
said, but let me rub you again with
the OIL, and in the morning you will
be able to go 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 a mustard poultice all over
his body. then left him. The next
morning when 1 went upon the deck
for breezy promenade, according to
my custom, found my patient wait
ing for me with a smiling face, and
t0ithout his crutches, although he limp
ed in his movements, but without
pain. l don't think ever felt so hap
Ply in my life. To make long story
short, L 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,
without assistance, to mount the hotel
omnibus, and 60 to the Astor House.
1 called on him two days later, and
found him actually engaged in packing
his trunk, preparatory to starting West
for his home, that evening. With a
bright and grateful smile he well
coined me, and pointing to little box
carefully done up in thick brown pa
per, which stood upon the table, he
said: My good friend, can you guess
what that isg "A present for your
sweetheart" / answered. "No,' he
laughed-'that is dozen bottles of st.
Jacobs Oil, which 1 have just puIchas-
ed from Hudnut, the druggist, across
the way, and 1 am taking them home
to show my mother what has saved
her sons life and restored him to her
in health. And with it would like to
carry you along also. to show her the
face of him, without whom, should
probably never have tried it. If you
should ever visit the little village of
Sedalis, in Missouri. Charlie Townsend
and his mother will welcome you to
their little home, with hearts full of
gratitude, and they viii show you a
bottle of st. Jacobs Oil enshrined in a
silver and gold casket which we shall