Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-29
HIGH IDEAL OF HONOR

l some twelve or fifteen years ago It was
the misfortune of captain in the regular
army of the United States to be afflicted
with mental trouble Of a serious nature
and he was sent to the government hospital
at St Elizabeth, where he was for more
than two years under treatment. When
the captain was first taken to the hospital
his mental and physical condition was such
that 1t was an absolute impossibility for
him to make out or sign his pay vouchers,
and the morey due him from the govern
; neht accumulated until he was able to do
So When his health had been sufficiently
restored the superintendent. DR.. Godding.
placed him in charge Of DIR. Blank" who
was then an assistant at the hospital, and,
In fact. is still connected with that insti-
trtfon, to take him to Paymaster Roches-
ters Office to make out the vouchers for
his pay, which amounted to something over
$4,000
General Rochester directed the paymaster
to pay the account. and the check of the
government was made out for the amount
During the time of his residence at ST.
CURED for clothing. board. ETC. and the
captain had been in debt to a small amount
when his mind failed. These amounts were
taken from the money received from the
about 5000 The captain asked Dr. Blanks
advice as to what he had better do with
the money. and the doctor told him to buy
United States registered bonds. This the
captain agreed to. and the doctor went
with him to the office Of a local broker,
where the money was deposited, with in
structions to buy bonds for the captains
account.
Shortly after the money had been de-
posted with the broker the house failed.
and in the wreck the captains money went
with the rest, the bonds not having been
purchased. OF this. however, the captain
knew nothing. and to this day does not
know that his money was lost When the
doctor heard of the failure he went imme-
dtately to the Office. and was informed that
the bonds had not been purchased. and that
the money was an absolute loss. He was
almost distracted to think that his advice
had been the cause of the loss, and went
to DR.. Godding and laid the matter before
him. 1t would not do to let the captain
know of the matter. for he was in such
condition that anything of an exciting ma
ture would retard If it did not in fact alb
solutely prevent his recovery.
During the consultation Dr. Godding said
that he could see only one way to save the
captain, and that was for DR.. Blank to fur
nish the money and buy the bonds. This
the doctor concluded to do, although he
had to borrow money from his friends and
IT took him four years to repay the amount
from his salary. He said afterward that he
felt that he had only done his duty as a
man, and that his only thought in the mat
ter had been that if the captain learned of
the loss he was almost certain to become
iEcurable
After his discharge from st. Elizabeth
the captain returned to his regiment and
several years ago was discharged after
thirty years service. He now holds an i'm
pcrtant office in thriving western city.
ard is man of considerable means. Did.
he but know Of the self-sacrifice of his one
time atten@ont physician, the next mail to
this city would carry his check for the full
amount to Dr. Blank, who by his actions
showed the true manhood and Christian
spirit that was In him.