The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-10-07
DOCTOR GEORGE

DOCTOR y
About the only earthly possession OF
n value George IIiNson had on his
twcnty.sccond birthday was q handsome
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 faith.
fully for four long years for that dip!o'
ma. That he deserved it made 1t L valu'
able possession. 49,,
lie 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 tiresomc journey
was old Enoch Lampson, aman who had
known George from the day of his birth.
GLOW dc DO, George, how de do!
Home again, ch?' was the old mans
greeting.
YES, sir" replied George, ''homc to
stay this time" ,
$50 yer a full tledgcd pill maker, an
ready to 60 into partnership with old
Billy, u graveyard sexton, hey'' asked
the old man, with poor wit.
George felt disposed to resent this, but
he did not.
''Yc don't cal'clatc on scttlin> down
here in Sharon, do yc?" continued old
Enoch.
''Yes, sir, I do" ,
"Wall, now, l duno-1 duno bout
that, George"
s'Nhv shouldn't l begin herc::" asked
the Young man: Il hear that old DR..
Edmonds has died lately, and no one has
vet come to take his place. Why should
l not do so2 l an young
That's hit, George. that's hit In
terruptcd old Enoch; eyer too young;
that's list whar the shoe pinchcs. Leas-
wise, that's one place whar hit plnches.
'Nuther thing is that-that-''
The old man scratched his head IN
evident confusion. lie looked kcenly at
the young man, whose face began to
flush.
..Wal." resumed the old man, ''you
know as we'll as anybody, George, Jlss
wat yer family connections is; you know
that
81 know it so we'll that you need not
take the trouble to cnlightcn me any
further on the subject replied the young
man, very quickly: Il know to my sor-
row that my father was q common
drunkard, and that l am generally known
as old Joe Hixson's SON. ! know that
nv eldest brother followed in my fathers
footsteps. and was killed in q drunken
brawl in this town. My other brother
has zone 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
inc, to die at last Of a broken heart
''That's ever 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 a woman as ever drawed breath:
but hits yer fathers name you've got,
an the name O. IIixsou don't STAN very
high in these parts. But I'll say fer you,
George, that l hain't a word to say agin
YOU pussonally an individooly. l am
free ter say an b'lieve that yer Of a mind
ter do what's right, an that you want to
raise ye. name far Dove the o'jeeum that's
now On hit"
81 do want that" was the young mans
earnest reply" and it's strange if the
Christian people of this town refuse to
give Inc help and encouragement. My
own record here is clear; am not
ashamed to have it read. OF course. l
am young, and most people are 4 little
afraid Of young PHYSICIANS; but all ply
sicians were once young, and l must have
a beginning, You know.
"Now, l have studied faithfully, care.
fully, even prayertully, for four long
years. 1 have spent every dollar I had
educating myself. No one knows Of the
deprivations have had 10 sufferfo this"
and he held up mis- diploma as he spoke.
81 have earned it" he went on; lit is
my own by right of four years Of hard
study. OF course, I:know of the oppo-
sition I will probably meet with in the
beginning. am young; I know more
of theory than of practice so far. But
there are several reasons why l want to
locate here in my boyhood's home. I am
bound to win in the end; you will see
that do"
"Wall, George, I hain't q thing ag'in
you myself. / wish You we'll as far as
I'm concerned. Yer gritty; l remember
that YOU had that streak in YOU when
you was a little youngster. But / Jist
made up my mind that Id tell you fair
and square what the chances wuz for
an ag'in you here"
81 am greatly obliged, Pm sure" said
George, "but | was prepared for all you
have told me. l feel that | shall sue
coed 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. l 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 q hard row to
dig"
+; lie had, indeed. The name of IIixson
was in bad repute in and around Sharon.
The people were prejudiccd against the
poor young fellow. although they could
not but admi. that his OWL character
was above %rcproach. They had known
him from his baby days up, and it did
not ''secm natural" to call him DR..
Hixson. And he was so proud OF that
hard-earncd title.
Those who used it at all callhim ''Doc-
tor George" that took away half the
dignity for him, and was Il familiarity
he resented in secret, although he dared
not do so openly. Others called him
''Doc," and that was simply calling to
the high strung young man. lie was
daily hurt by covert or open snecrs.
Even children ridiculcd him end his new
title.
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