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

Il will not fail thee, nor forsakc thee
ut will all come right in the end" he
said; but the end seemed so far away.
He would be only "oll Joe IliXson's
SON. to these people all the days of his
life. There was no end to that shame
and sorrow. The sins of a drunken and
dcpravcd father were visited upon the
head of Il son who was deserving of tho
worlds honor and esteem. lie had risen
above them into the beauty and glory 81
a pure and noble manhood. Through
shame and sorrow, discouragement and
poverty, he had struggled up to q higher
and q better life, and yet the good rco
pie Of Sharon daily made him look back
ward to the life he had left. And nc
friendly hand was stretched forth to he'll
him onward.
cit is really surprising to see the as
surance old Joe lliXson's som displays
said Mrs. Colonel Giddings, the Wealth.
est woman in Sharon, with his anteccd
ents. to set himself up for our physician
During six months DR.. George haC
but two patients. One of them was
boy who had cut his finger badly, anG
the other was a child with the cole. III
had not. however, wasted his time. III
had studied and learned much.
But at last he made up his mind to &c
out West. Hone had died out in hi:
heart. The people of Sharon were dc
tcrmincd to ignore him. lie could no
succrcd there. lie need not be ''old Jot
IIixson's son. among strangers. Blu
there were those precious promises!
They will be fulfilled yet in the Lord
W time and place." he said, chccrfully
''IIc probably means that l shall go ava,
from here to something better than
have dared hope for
So he made ready togo. The home o
his childhood was dear to him, and hi
was fond of familiar faces. even if the.
were not always kindly. lie had Away
felt timid about going among tota
strangers. But hispoor little trunk wa:
packed, and he had gone around saving
goodbye to the few friends who cared
to say goodbye to him. lie intended
going on Tuesday.
On Monday afternoon q little tow
headed boy met him on the street.
"Say. you, Doctor George" he said
''mv ma wants you to come up to OH
house and see if there's anything the
matter of our Tommy; cause if there i!
ma wants to send for Doctor Graves"
The insulting message made the blood
fairly tinglc in the young doctors veins
But the next moment he laughed.
ooh. well, it don't matter" he said
s'I'll 90. 1t will help me to say truth
fully that I've had some practice"
Tommy was the very urchin who hao
sung the hateful doggcrel before DR.
Georges office.
The young physician examined the
boy carefully; then he said;
well, Tommy. my boy, it will take
something more than grease on your
heels and tar on your nose to make you
we'll; you have the smallpox
II don't believe it," said Tommy's
mother, sharply; Il don't believe you
know smallpox from the measles. III
send for DR.. Graves right Off"
every we'll, madame, "said DR.. George,
politely bowling himself out.
But late that evening Toms mother
came crying to DR.. George.
'sDr. Graves wouldn't COME" She
said: she was going to, but when he
heard that it looked like smallpox with
Tommy he said he wasn't we'll, and Just
sent some medicine that amt done him
a bit of good. If you would come up,
sir!"
1t was the first time he had been adj,
dressed as sir for many a day.
"Of course | will CO." he said.
That was the beginning of Doctor
Georges practice in Sharon. Within
ten days there were fourteen cases OF
smallpox. The annals of the little town
contain a record OF how it was scourged
bv that fearful disease. Before the end
came there were one or more cases IN
nearly every house. The means taken
to prevent the spread of the disease had
proved Intellectual. At last the town
was q~uarantined.
When DR.. Graves was sent for a sec.
ond time it was discovered that he had
suddenly been called away ION bust
ness" He stayed away all winter.
DR.. George went back to his empty Of
fee after seeing Tommy . second time.
He unpackcd his trunk, lighted a can.
die. and began to read a certain medical
work. lie read until midnight, until /,
2, 3 o'clock. until the dawn CT day, that
found him on his Bonded knees, prayer
full, and even fearful. He felt that there
had been given him work to do-that a
change was comingin his life.
He became a tower Of strength to those
stricken pcople. He was doctor. nurse.
consoler-more thar he thought he ever
should be to suffering creatures.
His success with Tommy was assured
within a few days, and others came
eagerly after him. His skill in battling
the disease was wonderful. Had he not
the heavenly hclp2 There were few
deaths, and many people came forth,
their fair andblooming cheeks unmarked
by the dread disease.
Mrs. Colonel Giddings' beautiful
daughter was stricken down while
making preparations to fly from the
town.
Mis-. G:ddiugs' own carriage came for
"old Joe I~Iixscn's SON." His contami,
mated presence was in her splendid par.
lors and in her daughters dainty loom.
His Skill and careful watching brought
her beautiful daughter forth with all OF
her girlish loneliness unframed.
He had hardly time to eat or sleep for
many days. His very presence gave
hope and courage to the suffering. He
escancd the contagion, but when his last
case was dismissed he was utterly cx'
hausted, and quietly left the village for
n week or two Of rest. When he returned
his heart sank within him. In the win
dow of one of the handsomest Office.
rooms in the town he saw the word
''Physician' in great letters of god.
handsome curtains were before the win
dows. Everything indicated that the
newcomer had been 4 successful man
lie hardly dared to read the name on the
door. When he did he read:
''Dr. George II. 1Iixson."
GEO long IN an see how you like it,
said old Enoch Lampson, who stood
grinning on the pavement.
The amazed Young doctor opened the
door and went into a beautiful office. \
handsome carpet and rugs covered the
floor, walnut and mahogany chairs with
velvet and plush cushions were in cor
ncrs, Il mahogany table and secretary
stood in the room, pictures and orna-
ments were on the wall, books filled q
walnut bookcase with q silkcn curtain.
Back of this pretty room was n for q
private office, fitted up in the handsom'
est style.
'I-I-don't understand il" said Doc
tor George.
"Don't. hey" qucried old Enoch.
"Wall, hits I little s'prise fixed up fcl
you bv Mrs. Colonel Gjddings an tho
rest of US. Bout the hull town he'd 4
finger in it. Hits all yer own, an al
paid for. I reckon you hain't lost moth
in by trustin' in the Lord. lie gin'rally
bring His promise to pass, you Know
Boston EXAMINER.