River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-08-27
DOCTOR GEORGE.
By J. L. BARBOUR.

About the only earthly possession o.
any value George Hixson had on hi
twenty-second birthday, was a hand
some diploma Of parchment tied VI
with a blue ribbon. The diploma was
from a medica college of very high
standing, and George had worked hard
and faithfully for four long years fol
that diploma. That he deserved it,
made it valuable possession.
He had with it 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, a man who had known
George from the day of his birth.
How de do, George, how de do?
Home again, eh?' was the old man S
greeting.
Eyes, SIR" replied George; 'home
to stay, this time"
$50 yer a full hedged pill-maker, an
ready to 60 into partnership with old
Billy, our graveyard sexton, hey?"
asked the old mar, with poor wit.
George felt disposed to resent this,
but he did not.
Eye don't Gale ate on settlin' down
here in Sharon, do YEP" continued
old Enoch
eyes. sir, do"
oval, now, l dono-I dono bout
that, George"
"Why SHOULDN'T / begin here?'
asked the young man. ~ hear that
old DR.. Edmonds has died lately, and
that no one has yet come to take his
place. Why should not do so? ] am
young"
That's hit, George, that's hit, "
interrupted old Enoch, Eyer too young.
That's jist whar the shoe pinches.
Leastwise, that's one place whar bit
pinches 'Nutber 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, jist
W at yer family connections is, you
know that
Il know it so well that you need
not take the trouble to enlighten me
any further on the subject replied
the young man, very quick y.
II know to my sorrow that my
father was a common drunkard. and
thatI am generally known as old Joe
Hixon son. | know that my eldest
brother followed N my father foot
steps, and was killed in a drunken
brawl in this town. My other brother
has gone to the bad, too But | know.
and you know, too. Mr.. Lampson, that
my mother was as good a woman as
ever lived through years of shame and
to die at last of a broken
heart.
That's even 50, George. admitted
the old man. Il 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 a breath; but hits yer
fathers name you've got, an the name
O. Hiekson don stan very high in these
parts. But I'll say fer you. George,
that | hain't word to say agin you,
an indiyidooly. | am free
ter say an b'leeve that yer OF mind
to do what's right, an that you want
to raise yer name far bove the jeeum
that's now on hit.
Il do want that, was the young
man 5 earnest reply, s'and it's strange
L the Christian people Of this town
refuse TO give me help and encourage 4
ment. My own record here is clear-I
am not ashamed to have it read. OF
course am young, and most people
are little afraid Of young physicians
but all physicians were young once