The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-13
=. NJ. FARMER,

G. NJ. FARMER,
1890 Third .Age11ue, Neao York
"On my last voyage home from England
some three years ago, in one OF the GunarC
steamers, noticed one morning, after a few
days out of port, young man hobbling abou
on the upper deck, supported by clutches. and
seeming to move with extreme difficulty anC
no little pain. He was well dressed and O
exceedingly handsome countenance, but hi
limbs were somewhat emaciated and his fact
very sallOw and bore the traces of long suffer
ing. AS he seemed to have no attendant o.
companion, he at once attracted my sympa
thles and | went up to him as he leaned agains
the tatfrail looking 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 OF
etrong enough to trust yourself unattended OF
an ocean voyage; but if you require any as
sistance am robust and healthy man anC
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 sun
shine and the sea breeze
You have been great sufferer, no doubt,
l said, and judge that you have been af
f1lcted 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 fail
ing 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, suppose.
L shall be content if life is spared to me to
reach mnfhpr'c haI ;c AZ,
and am her only child
There was pathos in this speech which
affected me profoundly and awakened in me
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-
verified to a child-a ten year old boy-of a
nelghbor OF mine residing near my conculate
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 a very severe attack of the
govt in New York just before his last voyage
by the use of the same remedy at once lett
my young friend and went below to find the
steward. not only found him off duty. but
discovered that he had bottle of the Oil in
his locker, which he had carried across the
ocean in case of another attack He readily
parted with it on my representation, and hur-
rying up again, | soon persuaded the. Young
man to allow me to take him to his berth and
apply the remedy. After doing so covered
him up snugly in bed and requested him not
TO get up until L should see him again That
evening returned to his stateroom and found
him sleeping peacefully and breathing gently.
Iroused him and inquired how he felt. Like
a new man, he answered with a grateful smile.
1 feel ne pain and am able to stretch nv limbs
without difficulty. think I'll get up No,
don't get up tonight, l said, but let me
rub you again with the Oil, and in the morn
ing you will be able to go above' AN
right he said, laughing I 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, [
then left him. The next morning when
went upon deck for breezy promenade, &C.
cording to my custom, / found my patient
waiting for me with smiling face, and qoits-
out has crutches, although he limped in his
movements, but without pain. don't think
| ever felt so happy in my life To make a
long story short, attended him closely during
the rest OF the Voyage-some four days-ap-
plying the Oil every night, and guarding him
against too much exposure to the fresh and
damp breezes, and on landing at New York he
was able, without assistance, to mount the no.
tel omnibus, and go to the Aston House, call
ed on him two days later, and found him &C.
tually engaged in packing his trunk prepare
tory to starting West for his home that evening.
With bright and grateful smile he welcomed
me, and pointing to little box carefully done
up in thick brown paper, which stood upon
the table, he said; My good friend, can YOU
guess what that is? a present for your
sweetheart answered. Mo- he laughed
that Is dozen bottles of st. Jacobs Oil
which have just purchased from Hudnut'
the druggist, across the way, and | am taking
them home to show my good mother what has
saved her sons life and restored BIN to her in
health. And with it would like to carry Won
along also, to show her the face of him, with
out whom should probably never have tried
it. If 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 en-
shrined in silver and gold casket, which we
will keep as parlor ornament as well as me-
mento of our meeting on the Cunard steamer.
"'We parted, after an hours pleasant chat
with mutual goodwill and esteem, and few
weeks afterwards / received letter from him
telling me be was in perfect health and con-
tanning many graceful expressions of his af
fectionate regards. "-BrOollyp Etlgle. biz