The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-10-22
DOCTOR GEORGE.

tWenty-SecOnu plrlnQay was nanu-
some diploma of parchment tied up
with a blue ribbon. The diploma was
from a medical college of very high
standing, and George had worked hard
and faithfully for four long years for
that diploma, That he deserved it
made it a valuable possession.
He had with good deal of capital
in the shape of courage, enthusiasm,
faith in himself and the world. He
was honest, manly and patient, and
could begin life at the right end of the
ladder. He was so poor that he had TO
walk part way from the college to his
old home. the village of Sharon. The
first man he met at the end of his tire
some Journey was old Enoch Lampson,
q man who had known George from
the day of his birth.
"How do you do. George. how de
doP Home again. ehP" was the old
mans greeting.
Yes, sir" replied George. ''home
to stay this time"
$50 yer full-fedged pillmaker, an
ready to go into partnership with old
Billy, our graveyard sexton, heyP"
asked the old man with poor wit.
George felt disposed to resent this,
but he did not
.Ye don't carclate on settlin' down
here in Sharon, do yep" continued old
Enoch.
"Yes. sir, do"
oval, now, duno-I duno about
that, George"
"Why. shouldn't 1 begin hereP"
asked the young man; 81 hear that old
Dr. Edmonds has died lately, and no
one has yet come to take his place,
Why should l not do SOP l am
young"
That's hit George! that's hitr' in
terrupted old Enoch; eyer too young;
that's jist whar the shoe pinches. Leas-
wise. that's jist whar the shoe pinches.
'Nuther thing is that-that-"
The old man scratched his head in
evident confusion. He looked keenly
at the young man, whose face began to
flush.
"Wal," resumed the old man, " you
know as well as anybody, George, jiss
what yer family connection is; you
know that"
81 know it so well that you need not
take the trouble to enlighten me any
further on the subject" replied the
young man, very Quickly; Il know TO
my sorrow that my father was Il COM
mon drunkard and that am general
ly known as 'old Joe Hixson's son.
know that my eldest brother followed
in my fathers footsteps, and was killed
in drunken brawl in this town. My
other brother has gone to the bad, too.
But, L know, and you know, too,
MIR. Lampson, that my mother was as
good woman rs ever lived through
years of shame and suffering, to die at
last of Il broken heart "
That's even SO, George" admitted
the old man. Il knowed your mother
when size was purity Mary jackson,
fore it was ever her misfortune to
know yer rcperbate father, an she
was as you say, rs good a woman as
ever drawed breath; but hits yer
fathers name you've got, an the name
O. Hixson don't stan very high in these
parts. But I'll say fer you, George,
that l hain't word to say agin you
pussonally an individooly. 1 am free
ter say an b'lieve that yer of a mind
ter do what's right, an that you want
to raise yer name far 'boVe the o'jeeum
that's now ON hit"
Il do want that" was the young
mans earnest reply" and it's strange
if the Christian people of this town re,
fuse to give me help and encourage
ment. My own record here is clear;
am not ashamed to have it read. Ol
course, am young, and most people
are little afraid of young physicians
but all physicians were once young and
must have q beginning, you know.
..Now, 1 have studied faithfully,
carefully. even prayerfully. for foul
long years. have spent every dollar
had educating myself. No one knows
of the deprivations have had to suffel
for this" and he held up his diplomi
as he spoke.
II have earned it." he went on; ''i
is my own by right of four years o
hard study. OF course. know of th'
opposition l will probably meet will
in the beginning. / am young; know
more of theory than of practice so far
But there arc several reasons why
want to locate here in my boyhood'i
home. am bound to win in the end
you will see that do"
"Wall, George, hain't q thing ag' ii
you myself. wish you we'll as fur a
Pm concerned. Yer gritty; l remem
| y
when you was little youngster. But
jist made up my mind that I'd tell yo'
fair an square what the chances WI
fur an ag'in you here"
81 am greatly obliged. Pm sure.
said George. but l was prepared for al
you have told me. feel that l shal
succeed in the end. Commit thy wa
unto the Lord. Trust also in him, an,
he shall bring it to pass. There is tn
foundation of my faith and courage
MIR. Lampson. ! have often proves
the truth of that most helpful an
most blessed promise. 1t gives M
courage and confidence now. l know
it will not fail me-.
But there were many days and week
and months after that when poo
Georges confidence almost failed him
Old Enoch had truthfully said:
doctor George will have a har
row to dig"
He had, indeed. The name of Hi,
|. son was in bad repute in and aroun
Sharon. The people were prejudice
against the poor young fellow, a
though they could not but admit tina
his own character was above reproacl
They had known him from his bab
days up, and it did not "seem natural
to call him doctor" Hixson. And b
was so proud of that hard-earned title
Those who used it at all called hin
doctor George;" that took away ha
the dignity for him, and was fami
iarity he resented in secret, althoug
he dared not do so openly: Others calle
him doc" and that was simply gal
ing to the highstrung young man. Ii
was daily hurt by covert or ope
sneers. Even children ridiculed hi
and his new title.
Could anything be more exaSperatin
than to have a crowd OF ill-bred urchiI
assemble in front of his poor, shabb
little office, while one of their numbt
sung out:
Doctor, Doctor, kin you tell -
What will make sick man wellf
Grease his heels and tar his nose,
And that will do, suppose.
The Doctors office was a shabt
little affair, and he was q9ite too po'