Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-09-04
DOCTOR GEORGE.
IL Barbour in Boston Examiner

! J.. Barbour III Boston Examiner.
About the only earthly possession
Of any value George Hlx0n had on
his twenty-second birthyday was a
handsome diploma of parchment tied
mp with blue ribbon. The diploma
was from 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 IT made it valuable possess
ION.
lie had with it good deal OF capl~
tal in the shape of courage, enthusl-
asm, faith in himself and the world.
He was honest, manly and patient,
and could begin life at the right end
Of tho ladder. lie was SO poor that he
had to walk part way from the col
lege 10 his old home, the village of
Sharon The first man he met at the
end OF his tiresome journey was old
Euoch Lampson, man who had
known George from the day of his
birth.
Glow de do, George, how de dol
Home again, eh2" was the old mans
greeting.
yes, sir, replied George, "home
TO stay this time. ."
80 yer a full heGged plll-maker,
and ready to go INTO partnership with
old Billy, our graveyard sexton, heyT'
asked the old man, with poor wit.
George felt disposed to resent this,
but he did not.
Eye don't cal'clate on settlin' down
here in Sharon, do " continued
old Enoch.
Yes. sir do"
oval, now, | duno-I duno bout
that. George"
"Why shouldn't | begin here2" ask
ed the young map; Il hear that old
Dr. Edmunds has died lately, and no
one has yet come to take his place.
Why should | not do so2 L am young
That's Int Georgel that's HIT" In
terrupted old Enoch; yer too young
that's iist whar the shoe pinches.
Leaswrse, that's one place whar hit
pinches. 'Nuther thing is that
that
The old man scratched his head in
evident confusion. He looked keenly
ut tho young man, whose face began
to flush.
wal, resumed the old man, you
know rs well as anybody, George,
jiss W.T. yer fam ly connections is; you
know that "
81 know it so we'll that you need
not take the trouble to enlighten me
any further on the subject" replied
the young man, very quietly; Il
know to my sorrow that my father
was a common drunkard, and that
am generally known as old Joe Xix
sons SON | know that nay eldest
brother followed in my fathers foot
steps, and was killed IN a drunken
brawl IN this town. My other brother
has gone to the bad, too. But l know,
and YOU know, too, Mr.. Lampson,
that my mother was as good a woman
as ever lived through years of shame
and suffering, and die at last of a
broken heart
"TAats even SO, George" admitted
the old man. Il knowed your mother
when she was purity Mary Jackson,
fore it was ever her misfortune to
know yer repcrbate father, an she
was, as you say, as good n woman as
ever drawed breath; but hits yer
fathers name you've got, an the name
o lllXsou don't STAN very high in
these parts. But Iii say fer you
George, that / hain't word to say
again you puSsoually and iudividooly.
ann free ter say an b'lieve that yer
Of a mind ter do what's right an that
you want to RAISE yer name far 'bove
the o'jeeun that's now on his"
II do wan that" was the young
-
il the Christian people of this town re-
fuse to give me help and encourage
mcnt. My own record here is clear;
| am not ashamed to have it read
or course, | am young, and most
people are a little afraid of young
physicians; bat all physicians were
once young, and | must have begin
ming. YOU know.
Now, | have studied faithfully,
carefully, even prayfully, for four
long years. | have spent every dollar
l had educating myself. No one knows
of the deprivauons | have had to suf-
fer for this" and he held up his di-
ploma rs he spoke.
Il have earned it" he went on; ''it
is my own by right OF four years of
hard study. OF course, know of the
opposition | Will probably meet with
in the beginning. | am young; |
know more OF theory than of practice
so far. But there are several reasons
why | want TO locate here in nay boy
hoods home. l am bound to win in
the end you viii see that | do"
'Wall, George, l hain't a thing
agiu you myself. | wish you we'll as
I
remember that you had that steak in
you when you was little youngest,
But | ist made up my mind that I'd
tell you fair an square what the
chances wuz for an agIn you here.
Il am greatly obliged, I'm sure"
said George, but was prepared for
all you have told me. l feel that
shall succeed in the end. Commit
thy way unto the Lord. Trust also in
him, and he shall bring to pass. There
is the foundation of my faith and
courage, Mr.. Lampson. have often
proved the truth of that most helpful
and blessed promise. 1t gi yes me cour-
age and confidence. l know it will
not fail me"
But there were many days and weeks
and months after that when Georges
courage and confidence almost failed
him.
Old Enoch had truthfully said:
CDR. George will have hard row
to dig"
He had, indeed. The name of Hix-
son was in bad repute in and around
Sharon. The people were prejudiced
against the poor young fellow, al
though they could not but admit that
his own character was above reproach.
They had known him from his baby
days up, and it lid not ''seem natural,
to call him doctor" Hixsop. And