The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-10-01
DOCTOR GEORGE.

any value George Hixson had on his
twenty-second birthday was a hand
some diploma of parchment tied up
with blue ribbon. The diploma was
from a medical college of very high
standing, and George had worked hard
and faithfully for four long years for
that diploma. That he deserved it
made it a valuable possession.
He had with 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 tire
some journey was old Enoch Lampson,
a man who had known George from
the day OF his birth.
How do you do, George, how de
dop Home again, eh?" was the old
mans greeting.
Yes, SIR replied George, '.home
to stay this time"
80 yer full-fledged pillmaker, an
ready to go into partnership with old
=
asked the old man with poor wit.
George felt disposed to resent this,
but he did not.
"Ye don't cal' clate on settlin' down
here in Sharon, do YEP" continued old
Enoch.
Yes, sir, do"
oval, now. l duno-I duno 'about
that, George"
"Why, shouldn't | begin hereP"
asked the young man; 81 hear that old
DR.. Edmonds has died lately, and no
one has yet come to take his place.
Why should l not do so? am
young"
That's hit George! that's hitr' in
terrupted old Enoch; yer too young;
that's jist whar the shoe pinches. Leas-
wise, that's jist whar the shoe pinches.
'Nuther thing is that-that-"
The old man scratched his head in
evident confusion. He looked keenly
at the young man, whose face began to
flush.
Wal" resumed the old man." you
know as well as anybody, George, jiss
what yer family connection is; you
know that"
Il know it so well that you need not
take the trouble to enlighten me any
further on the subject" replied the
young man, very quickly; Il know to
my sorrow that my father was Il COM
mon drunkard, and that | am general
ly known as old Joe Hixson's son.
know that my eldest brother followed
in nv fathers footsteps, and was killed
L. W
other brother has gone to the bad, too.
But, / know, and you know, too,
Mr.. Lampson, that my mother was as
good a woman as ever lived through
years of shame and suffering. to die at
last of broken heart. -
That's 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 reperbate father, an she
was as you say, as good woman as
ever drawed breath; but hits yer
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 hain't a word to say agin you
pussonally an indiyidooly. L am free
ter say an blieve that yer of 4 mind
ter do what's right, an that you want
to raise yer name far Dove the Jeeum
that's now on hit. :"
Il 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; |
am not ashamed 10 have it read. OF
course. l am young, and most people
are little afraid of young physicians;
but all physicians were once young and
l must have a beginning, you know.
Now, | have studied faithfully,
carefully, even prayerfully, for four
long years. | have spent every dollar
| had educating myself. No one knows
of the deprivations | have had to suffer
for this,f and he held up his diploma
as he spoke.
II 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; l know
more of theory than of practice so far.
But there are several reasons why L
want to locate here in my boyhood, $
home. am bound to win IN the END;
you will see that do"
"Wall, George, l hain't thing as in
you myself. Iwish you well as fur as
I'm concerned. Yer gritty; remem-
Der that you had that streak in you
when you was little youngster. But l
jist made up my mind that I'd tell you
fair an square what the chances wuz
fur an ag'in you here"
Il am greatly obliged, I'm sure, :"
said George, but | was prepared for all
YOU have told me. feel that | shall
succeed 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. / have often proved
the truth of that most helpful and
most blessed promise 1t gives :ue