Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-10-30
DOCTOR GEORGE.

About the only earthly possession OF
any value George Hixson had on his
twenty-second birthday was hand
some diploma of parchment tied up with
blue ribbon. The diploma was from
medical college of very high standing,
and George had worked hard and faith
fully for four long years for that di-
ploma. That he deserved it, made it a
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 of the 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 Lamp
son, who had known George from the
day of his birth.
elbow de do, George, how de do?
Home again, eh ?" was the old mans
greeting.
eyes. sir" replied George, "home to
stay this time"
$50 yer full ledged pill-maker, an
ready to 20 into partnership with our
old Billy, our graveyard sexton. hey?'
asked the old man, with poor wit.
George felt disposed to resent this,
but he did not.
"Ye don't calc'late on settlin' down
here in Sharon, do YEP" continued old
Enoch.
eyes, sir, do"
"Wal, now, dunno, dunno, bout
that, George
"Why shouldn't l begin here?" ask
ed the young man. T hear that old
Doctor Edmunds has died lately, and
that no one has yet to come to take his
place. Why should L not do SOP am
young"
"That's hit, George, that's hit," in
terrupted old Enoch, eyer too young.
That's jist whar the shoe pinches. 'Nur-
ther thing is that-that-"
| The old man scratched his head in ev-
ident confusion. He looked keenly at
the young man, whose face began to
| flush.
"Wal," resumed the old man, "you
know well as anybody, George, jist
what yer family connection is; you
] know that"
81 know it so well that you need not
take the trouble to enlighten me further
on the subject" replied the young man
hotly. 81 know to my sorrow that my
father was common drunkard, and
that am generally known as 'old Joe
Hixson's son. 1 know that my 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
OF suffering to die in the end of broken
| heart"
"That's even SO, George" admitted
the old man. 1 knowed your mother
when she was purity Mary Jackson,
fore it was ever her misfortune to know
yer reperbate father; an she wuz, as
you say, as good woman as ever draw
ed breath; but hits your fathers name
you've got, an the name o. Hixson
don't STAN very high in these parts.
But I'll say fer you, George, that L
amt word to say agin you pussonally
an individooly. Pm free ter say an
b'leeve that yer a mind to do what's
| right, an that you want ter raise yer
name 'bove the odeum that's now OIL
hit"
~ do want that" was the young
mans earnest reply, "and it's strange
if the Christian people of this town re-
fuse to give me help and encourage
ment. My own record here is clear and
I'm 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, and |
must have beginning. you know.
Now have studied faithfully, care
fully. even prayerfully, for four long
years. 1 have spent every dollar had
in educating myself. No one knows Of
the deprivations have had to suffer for
this" He held up his diploma as he
spoke.
"I have earned it," he went on. "It
is my own by right of four years of
hard study. OF course know Of the
opposition 1 will probably meet with in
the beginning. l am young, 1 know
more Of theory than practice so far. But
there are several reasons why want to
locate here in my boyhood home. am
bound to win in the end, you will see
that do"
"Wal, George, 1 hain't thing agin
you myself. l wish you well fur as I'm
concerned. Yer gritty, 1 remember that