The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-10-28
SELECTED.
Vaccination on tho Rail.

As 1t halts ut Sutton Junction, the train
is boarded by an elderly, good-natured
looking gentleman in spcctacles, with a
sort of Peter Cooper expression of benov-
olcnce upon his face, who is announced
DR.. Hamilton of Richmond, Vermont, eX
aiming physician in the employ of the
United States authorities, whose business
it is to examine all passengers bound for
Uncle Sans domain, with the view to the
vaccination OF the unvaccnated. Begin
ming with the first passenger found in the
smoker" the foremost car Of the train,
he is confronted by the doctor with:
Been vaccinated?"
If the answer is yes.
Loot n ccrticate?'
Unless this can be produced the indiyid-
ual is compelled to show his arm, when
unless there Is Il fresh scar, the passenger
is Obliged again to undergo the operation
or leave the train. Down into his vest
pocket goes the doctor, produces a little
tin box in which he keeps the points,
out comes the ivory point in moment Il
tiay drop of blood appears on the surface
of the skin, the vaccine is moistened by
the breath, the matter rubbed of upon the
laceratcd part and the job is done.
Having finished with the passengers in
the smoking car, the next car, filled all
most entirely with ladies', is visited by the
doctor Here begins the fun those!tight-
fitting sleeves cannot be pulled up, and
mayhap the certificate has been left at
home yes it has, and only two weeks ago
the lady declares she was vaccinatcd.
She will send and have the doctor send
a certificate to the examining physician.
No, that won't do, and the law must be
complied with. A tug At the tightly fit
ing Jersey sleeve, another determined pull
and the arm is barred nearly to the elbow,
THAT will do" says the doctor. Out
comes the little knife and point, and thir-
ty seconds later the doctor passes on while
the lady sinks back in her seat with deh-
ancc flashing from her eye. and inwardly
vowing. without donbt, that she will get
even with that horrid man if she lives long
enough.
81 would not lie to you, indeed | would
not. sir" says a pretty, brown-cyad dam
sci; II have been yaccinated," and the eyes
became moistened and the cheeks culver
er with suppressed emotion. But the old
doctor is obdWatc. Business is business,
and his business is to see that no one who
is not properly vaccinated, whether male
or female, leaves Canada for United States
territory. Pretty or ugly, it is all the
same to him.
Sorry, madam, but | can't help it;
either let me see your certificate or your
arm" She sees no sign of relenting i'll
that face. Again she tries.
at was but just Il little while ago in
deed, it was doctor. can't show you my
arm here. Can't you believe me-?
No the doctor cannot and will not.
The girl sees there is no use, and rcluct-
begins Juggling at her waist. Down It
comes from the neck, the left shoulder is
exposed, then the arm. The doctor is ev-
identity not satisfied
when were you vaccinated?'
1.-TWO years ago.
."Scar is not fresh enough" say the doc
tor, and again out comes the scaritier and
vaccine. \ scratch and scream, but the
physician is not daunted and continues
the work, withot fiinching, very gently,
but with the air of Il man who thoroughly
understands his business. There, that
Will do" he says, and the girl replacing
her wardrobe, sinks back in her seat, while
the doctor, passing on, is heard to remark
she had never been vaccinated.'