Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-09-18
DOCTOR GEORGE.

About the only earthly possession oI
any value George Hixson had on his
twenty birthday was handsome
diploma of parchment tied up with 6
blue ribbon. The diploma was from 6
medical college of very high standing,
and George had worked hard and faith.
fully for four long years for that diplo
ma. That he deserved it made it valu.
able possession
He had with it a 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 tiresome journey
was old Enoch Lampson, man who had
known George from the day of his birth.
''How de do, George, how de do2
Home again, eh9" was the old mans
greeting.
eyes, sir" replied George, "home to
stay this time"
$50 yer full aedgcd pill maker, an
ready to go into partnership with old
Billy, our graveyard sexton, hey?" asked
the cd man, with poor wit.
George felt disposed to resent this, but
he did not.
eye don't cal'clate on settlin' down
here in Sharon, do yea" continued old
Enoch.
eyes, sir, do"
'Wall, now, I duno-I duno bout
that, George"
"Why shouldn't I begin here7" asked
the young man; II hear that old DR..
Edmonds has died lately, and no one has
yet come to take his place. Why should
not do so? / am young"
"That's hit George! that's hitw in
terrupted old Enoch; Eyer too young;
that's iist whar the shoe pinches. Leas-
wise, that's one place whar hit 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.
oval" resumed the old man, "you
know as well as anybody, George, jiss
wat yer family connections is; you know
that
81 know it so we'll that you need not
take the trouble to enlighten me any
further on the subject, " replied the young
man, very quickly; II know to my sor-
row that my father was a common
drunkard, and that am generally known
as 'old Joe Hixson's son. l know that
my eldest brother followed in my fathers
footsteps, and was killed in a drunken
brawl in this town. My other brother
has gone to the bad, too. But l know,
as you know, too, Mr.. Lampson, that my
mother was as good a woman as ever
lived through years of shame and suffer
ing, to die at last of broken heart"
'That's even so, George" admitted
the old man. 81 knowed your mother
when she was purity Mary jackson, fore
it was ever her misfortune to know yer
reperbate father, an she was, as you say,
as good woman as ever drawed breath;
but hits yer fathers name you've got,
an the name o. IliXson don't stan very
high in these parts. But I'll say fer you,
George, that | hain't word to say agin
you pussonally an individooly. l am
free ter say an b'lieve that yer of mind
ter do what's right, an that you want to
raise yer name far 'bove the o'jeeum that's
now ON hit.n
81 do want that, was the young mans
earnest reply" and it's strange if the
Christian people of this town refuse to
give me help and encouragement. My
own record here is clear; l am not
ashamed to have it read. OF course,
am young, and most people are little
afraid of young physicians; but all ply
sicians were once young, and must have
a beginning, you know.
"Now, have studied faithfully, care
fully, even prayertully, for four long
years. have spent every dollar had
educating myself. No one knows of the
deprivations have had TO suffer for this"
and he held up his diploma rs he spoke.
81 have earned it," he went on; ''it is
my own by right of four years of hard
study. OF course, know of the oppo-
sition I will probably meet with in the
beginning. am young; | know more
of theory than of practice so far. But
there are several reasons why want TO
locate here in my boyhood's home. am
bound to win in the end; you will see
that do"
"Wall, George, hain't thing ag'in
you myself. | wish you we'll as far as
I'm concerned. Yer gritty; 1 remember
that you had that streak in you when
you was little youngster. But | jist
made up my mind that I'd tell you fair
and square wnat the chances wuz for
on, o,ip vnt1 bara -
81 am greatly obliged, Pm sure" said
George, "but was prepared for all you
have told me. / feel that / shall sue
ceed in the end Commit thy way unto
the Lord. Trust also in Him, and he
shall bring it to pass There is the
foundation of my faith and courage, Mr..
Lampson. / have often proved the
truth of that most helpful and most
blessed promise. 1t gives me courage
and confidence now. know it will not
fail me-"
But there were many days and weeks
and months after that when poor
Georges courage and confidence almost
failed him.
Old Enoch had truthfully said:
DR. George will have hard row to
dig"
He had, indeed. The name Of Hixson
was in bad repute in and around Sharon.
The people were preiudiced against the
pnor v.1unu fellow alfhou0h thew pnnld