Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-09-01
The Wrong Pig.

to enter the lists against him in that
locality for the simple inhabitants fully
believed that there was not such another
master of the healing art in the known
world, and so he drove his red-wheeled
gig over the lanes and byways of the
countryside without rival, and dared
and bullied the inhabitants in his rough
and kindly fashion to his hearts content.
The doctor lived in great rambling
house halfway down the village street,
with wide expanse of lawn in
corner next to the sidewalk. His wife
had died many years ago. SO his house
hold was conducted by housekeeper.
But as the doctors family was small,
and he loved society. he was hardly ever
without student, to whom he taught
the healing art in the back Office. Thus
it was that Charlie Horton came to Hon.
eyhurst to study medicine with the doc
tor, and, as his predecessor had done
before him, occupied the back Office and
the northwest chamber. He came from
town somewhat distant, and was un.
known to the town folks, and like every
stranger who came among them. was
made the subject of much critical examl-
nation as he walked up the broad aisle
of the village church the Sunday even
ing after his arrival.
"Well. doctor, how are up" said
Farmer Smith, as he leaned over the
gate of his corn-feld next morning as
doctor came driving by.
"Ah, Smith, how do you do ?" replied
he. as he drew rein on the gray mare
and stopped. "How's your folks?"
"Toler'ble, thank'ee; wife's little
ailin' this mornin'. See you've got a
new young man; seed him yesterday at
chuch. Coin to make doctor out O.
him, eh 2"
"Yes, | think so, replied the doctor.
"Think ye amt got the wrong pig by
the ear, eh, doctor ?" said the farmer,
laughing.
"Well, don't know" replied the village
Esculapius "can't tell yet
Now "getting the wrong pig by the
ear" was one of the doctors great ex-
presSiono in fact. HE favorite one. Like
shaksPvarc'S justice. lie was fun
wise saws and modern instances" and
had proverb or apt quotation upon
every occasion. With him, if a man
made mistake. it was getting the
wrong pig by the ear" Of course this
popularity was well known throughout
all the country about where he practic-
ed, and hence the quotation of Farmer
Smith.
Time passed on, and Charles Horton
became fully domesticated in the doctors
household. He was fine young fellow,
somewhat over confident, perhaps, and
needed the rein little. This the doc
tor was not slow to put on, and he min
gled his instructions in the healing art
with admonitions about "getting the
wrong pig by the ear" until Charles
was heartily tired of the homely proverb.
But he was good fellow, nevertheless.
and great favorite.
Two years passed away. and Charles
studies with the old doctor were draw
ing to close, when suddenly the idea
popped into his head that be would 60 to
Paris and finish his medical education
with course through the Continental
hospitals. DIR. Johns pooh-poohed the
idea, and thought it utterly useless.
"Why. boy" said he, "what do you
want to be galivanting off to France for ?
What bee have you got in your head
now? Can't you be satisfied with home
learning, but must 60 and tack on some
new-fangled tomfoolery. that will knock
all your sensible knowledge out of your
head ? Go to Paris ? Nonsense Don't
| get the wrong pig by the ear r.
But Charlie was not to be talked out
| of his new idea. He was bound to go
to Paris to study and see the world. and
so one day he packed his trunks. babe
friends good-by. and, mounting the stage
coach, was wheeled out of the village
world. But before going, the docter
called him into his Office, and, shutting
the door, thus began:
"Now Charlie, you are off to foreign
parts, and l hope you will enjoy your
self. Stick to your books. and get what
knowledge you can out of those fellows
over there, although l don't suppose
they know so much more than other
people. But, nevertheless, you may
learn a few things. l don't suppose
you'll be apt to 60 to acting. as you
have been too we'll brought up for that
and now I've got something here that
want you to take with you. It's re-
cipe that it has taken me good many
years to find out. You will find it o
great value in your practice. 1t vii
cost you five pounds"
And the doctor, with a very grav
face. held out a huge yellow envelop
sealed with red wax and tied with blu
ribbon. ~ as