Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-10
DOCTOR GEORGE.
/. L. Barbour in Boston Examiner

l. L. Barbour in Boston Examiner.
About the only earthly possession
of any value George Hixon had on
his twcnty~second birthyday was a
handsome diploma of parchment tied
up with blue ribbon. The diploma
was from a medical college of very
high standing, and George had work
ed hard and faithfully for four long
years for that diploma. That he de-
served 1t made it valuable possess
ion.
He had with it a good deal of capi~
tai In the shape of courage, enthusi-
asAs, 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 coll
Iege to his old home, the village of
Sharon. The first man he met at the
end of his t1resome journey was old
Enoch Lampson, a man who had
known George from the day of his
birth.
Chow de do, George, how de do2
Home again, eh9" was the old mans
greeting.
Eyes, sir" replied George, "home
to stay this tlme."
$50 yer full feGged plll>maker,
and ready to go into partnership with
old Billy, our graveyard sexton, hey?"
asked the old man, with poor wit.
George felt disposed to resent this,
but he did not.
I'VE don't cal'clate on settlin' down
here in Sharon, do yea" continued
old Enoch.
Yes. sir, do"
oval, now, 1 duno-I duno bout
that. George"
"Why shouldn't begin here2" ask
ed the young map; II hear that old
DR.. Edmunds has died lately, and no
one has yet come to take bis place.
Why should I not do so2 [ am young
''That's hit George! that's hit!" In
terrupted old Enoch; yer too young !;
that's iisE whar the shoe pinches.
Leaswlse, that's one place whar hit
pinches. 'Nuther thing is that
that
The old man scratched his head in
evident confusion. He looked keeuly
at the young man, whose face began
to flush.
"Wal, resumed the old man, "you
know as we'll as anybody, George,
jiss W.T. yer family connections 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 quietly; 81
know to my sorrow that my father
was common drunkard, and that l
am generally known as old Joe Hix-
sons son. l know that nay eldest
brother followed in my fathers foot
steps, and was killed IN a drunken
brawl in this town. NY other brother
has gone to the bad, too. But know,
and you know, too, Mr.. Lampson,
that my mother was as good woman
as ever lived through years of shame
and suffering, and die at last of a
broken heart"
''TBat'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 Hixson don't STAN very high in
these parts. But I'll say fer you
George, that I hain't word to say
again you pussonally and individooly.
am free ter say an b'lieve that yer
of miad ter do what's right an that
you want to raise yer name far Dove
the o'jeeun that's now on his"
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
I am not ashamed to have it read.
OF course, 1 am young, and most
people are little afraid of young
physicians; but all physicians were
once young, and I must have begin
ming. you know.
Now, [ have studied faithfully,
carefully, even prayfully, for four
long years. [ have spent every dollar