Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-05-01
West Virginia Doctor


The major presented me to Doctor Did,
wick, red-headed, suffering, eccentric
individual, who was going up toward Yeo-
kem's on a professional tour, and would
ride with US This was fortunate, as the
road We contemplated travelling was very
obscure and difficult. and the country was
not very agreeable one to get lost in.
/ The doctor also counseled US 10 provide
against all contingencies on to-morrow's
4 Journey so we ordered our hostess to have
prepared ham. a sack of biscuit, and
some bottles Of cold tea-this last, Blythe
waya most excellent beverage for wayfar-
+ ing people.
After supper, hearing a mighty and
continuous humping IN the direction OF
! the kitchen, [ thought it advisable to look
+ in and give some special directions about
+ the biscuit, which should be well beaten
and thoroughly baked to fprevent their
getting mouldy.
Opening a door, [ stepped out on the
back porch, and, to my astonishment,
caught the doctor pelting and pounding a
q batch of dough. The dough looked
rather dark. to be sure, and the doctor
slightly embarrassed; but not to be eere-
monious, l said.
Really, doctor, this Is very consjderate
IN you to make the biscuit for US yourself"
: What b-b-b-biscuit? he suffered.
surprised and offended. Z" Go to the c-c-c-
cook. I'm making blue pills for my pa
tients tomorrow.
! :. In the name Of E.sculapius, how many
90 you make at a time
"Oh, = said he, p-p-p-peck, more or
less. Practice in these mountains is diff
terent from your city practice. | make
my rounds only once month, and it takes
just weeks riding TO get through, SO
that L have TO provision whole district
to last until l come again"
IN the morning we were on the road be-
times, all in fine spirits except Cockney,
who was a little sore from yesterdays ride,
but he did his best not to mind it.
The country was wild and ragged
enough, but more populous than we had
imagined. The doctor called at every
house and at his familiar halloo all the
inmates, from the hobling centarian to the
toddling yearling, focked out to greet him.
He inquired after their welfare, physical
and moral in most kind and fatherly
manner, naming such as had been ailing
at his last visit Having audited all their
complaints, he would leave one or two
teacupfulls of pills and ride on. Some
times he took the trouble to dismount-and
enter the cabin of some bed-ridden patient;
at others he would simply inquire consern-
ing family living far back in the woods
and leave a measure of pills TO be sent
over the next Sunday. Occasionally be
had the luck to meet q customer on the
road, and delivered his monthly allowance
on the spot. The doctor was evidently
honored and beloved by thewhole country,
and consulted on all questions that arose,
IN law, agriculture, or politics. He was
a sturdy Democrat. and dispensed gratuit-
Gus opinions on this subject as freely as he
did his blue pillsHe suffered sareasticaly
against medical quacks and thought the
laws were not sufficiently severe against
them. Some years ago a so-called herb
doctor came poaching upon his domain,
and was a great grief to him. The fellow
was civil and wouldn't quarrel. but secretly
undermined the regular practitioner, was
getting all his patients and running the
health Of the district
The interloper had two weaknesses-he
was fond Of backgammon, and hated snakes.
Didiwick cared no more for snakes than
he did for fishing worms, 50 he took all
opportunities TO bedevil his rival with
practical jokes in which sarpents played
leading part.
One day he challenged the herb doctor
toaa game of backgammon. Pleased with
the unusual civility, he accepted. and seat
ed himself az the table where the box Law
closed before him. The tavern loungers.
aware that something was up, gathered
round to witness the game.
Set the board, doctor, said Didiwick
% while l 60 and order two juleps,"
The doctor opened the board, and six
loot black-snake leaped out into his face
tie fed, and returned 10 more.
And 50 l got rid Of the cussed humbug
before he killed off my whole district. =
Porte Cray2n, ia Harper's Naqa.ine for
Nqg.