Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-10-30
among strangers. But there were

"They will be fulfilled yet in the
Lords own time and place." he said
cheerfully. "He probably means that
l shall 90 away from here to something
better than l had dared hope for"
SO he made ready to go. The home
of his childhood was dear to him, and
he was fond of familiar faces, even If
they were not always kindly. He had
always felt timid about going among
total strangers. But his poor little
trunk was packed, ana he had gone
around saying goodbye to the few
friends who cared to say goodbye to
him. He intended going on Tuesday.
On Monday afternoon little tow-head-
ed boy met him on the street.
"Say you, DR.. George" he said po-
litely, "my ma wants you 10 come up to
our house and see IL there's anything
the matter of our Tommy, cause If
there is ma wants TO send for Doctor
Graves"
The insulting message made the blood
fairly tingle in the young doctors veins.
But the next moment he laughed.
"Oh, well, it don't matter" he said.
"I'n go. 1t will help me 20 say truth
fully that I've had some practice"
Tommy was the very urchin who had
sung the hateful doggerel before Doctor
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 or tar on your nose to make you
well. You have the smallpox"
81 don't believe it," said Toms moth
er, sharply. al don't believe you know
smallpox from measels, anyhow. I'll
send for DR.. Graves right off,"
"Very well, madam" said Doctor
George, politely bowling himself out.
But late in the evening TOMS mother
came crying TO Doctor George.
doctor Graves wouldn't come," she
said. "He was going to, but when he
hearG it looked like smallpox with
Tommy he said he wasn't well, and just
sent some medicine that amt done him
bit of good. II you would come up,
sir"
1t was the first time he had been adj
dressed as "sir" In many 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 1t was scourged by that
fearful disease. Before the end came
there was one or more cases In every
house. The means taken to prevent the
spread of the disease proved Intellectual.
The town was quarantined in the end.
When DR.. Graves was sent for Sec
ond time il was discovered that he had
been called away "on business"
Doctor George went back 10 his empty
Office after seeing Tommy second time.
He unpacked his little trunk, lighted a
candle, and began to read certain
medical work. He read until midnight,
until one, two, three o'clock, until the
dawn of day, that found him on his
bended knees prayerful and even tear
full. He felt that there had been given
him a work to do; that change was
coming in his life. He opened his we'll
worn little Bible and read:
"I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, "
and again he read, "Be strong, and
again 1 say, be strong"
And he was strong.
His strength was as the strength Of ten,
Because his heart was pure.
He became tower Of strength to some
of those stricken people. He was doctor,
nurse, consoler-more than he thought
he should ever be to suffering creatures.
His success with Tommy was assured
within few days, and others came ca
gerly after him. His skill in battling
the disease was wonderful. Had he not
the Heavenly Help? There were few
deaths, and many people came forth,
their fair and blooming cheeks unmark-
ed by the dread disease.
Mrs. Colonel Giddings' beautiful
daughter was stricken down while max
ing preparations to ny from the town.
Mrs. Giddings' own carriage came for
sold Joe Hixson's son." His contami-
mated presence was in her splendid par
lors and In her daughters dainty rooms.
His skill and careful watching brought
her beautiful daughter forth with her
girlish loveliness unharmed.
He had hardly time to eat or sleep for
many days. His very presence gave
hope and courage to the suffering.
He escaped the conngion, but when
his last case was dismissed he was utter
ly exhausted, and quietly left the VII
lage for week or two Of rest.
When he returned his heart sank
within him. In the window Of one Of
the handsomest Office rooms in the town
he saw the word physician" In great
letters Of gold. Handsome curtains were
before the windows. Everything inci-
Gated that the newcomer had been a sue.
cessful man. He hardly dared read the
name on the door. When he did he
read
"DR. GEORGE III. Hxsos."
"Go long In an see how you like II" i"
said old Enocb Lampson, who stood
grinning on the pavement.
The amazed young doctor opened the
door and went into a beautiful Office
A handsome carpet and rugs covered