Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-01-31
A HUMAN CLOCK.
Victim of rheumatism Bccomcs u Iiy-
Ing Timcpiccc.
C'rom the Lcseur (Minn) Cor Chicago
ChronicleD

PTorn tne l.cSeur (MlnnD Cor. ChiC1g go
ChronicleD
Bud" Williamson. living out on the
Darrygowan road is a freak. Seven or
eight years ago ne suffered many weeks
with a terrible attack of infiammatory
rheumatism that left him. when it went
away many permanent records of its
sojourn with him.
Among these several of those ap-
pearances or conditions Of the skin known
as fever spots" being small, red spots
lust beneath the skin which have the
distinguishing characteristic of being
able to NOV" from place to place within
a limited radius OF their own voltion or
in answer to some physical condition not
much understood by physicians. One Of
th"S" spots small one, about the size
of radish seed and Of a bright. crimson
color, established itself on the back of
his left hand and moved about from
place to place for two or three years be-
fore Williamson paid any particular at
tention to 1t. Then his little daughter
told him ono day that 1t always Travelled
steadily around the edge Of the back Of
his hand ana took Just three DAYS to
make the circuit, He did not suppose she
knew what she was talking about at
first. but close observation showed that
sh" was correct, and that under ordinary
conditions the spot made the circuit of his
hand in exactly seventy-twp hours He
marked place on his hand with ink for
n while in order to assure himself and
friends by continued observation that
there was no variation in the regularity
of the movement, but when the fact was
finally firmly established he went down
to the city. and. timing the spot with
the cathedral clock. had a threc-dav
clock dial tattooed on the back Of his
hand with indelibe ink, with the result
that he has always with him a fine time
piece by which he could tell the hour of
the day or night within five or ten min
utes with unvarying accuracy.
He had to make one change in his life
however, and that a very beneficial one
for he discovered that the use OF intox-
icating liquors made him run too fast
while their influence remained and he
was so much more interested in the clock
on his hand than in the use of LIQUOR
that he gave the latter up entirely and
became a model Of sobriety
But he sometimes becomes irregular,
either losing little time under the in
nuence of a lazy condition of his liver or
gaining COnSlucfaDlN from the effects Of
a slight fever, and in that case unless it
should happen that n retardnC and an
accclerating condition should happen to
follow in close succession and he exactly
alike he would be permanently out Of
time unless 1t We're possible to adjust
him. But the required adjustment is
fortunately, easily arranged, and all he
has to do when he Is far enough from
right so as 10 be inconvenient to him
self and his friends is to come to town
and go to the office of DR.. MlIrhank. and
this medical gentleman gladly sets him
tight again by holding back the move
mcnt OF his vital forces and consequently
of tho spot with doses of chloroform
carefully administered to Mr. William
son II he is too fast or by spurrirc on
his life current with cocaine If he Is too
slow.
Mr. williamson has received splendid
offers for the public exhibition Of his
wonderful popularity, but Indignantly re-
iects them all. feeling that it would he
beneath his dignity thus to make a show
OF himself AS it happens. he never car
ried n watch before, and. therefore. es-
pecially appreciates the convenience OF
always having a timepiece at hand