Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-27
Gales aud Sketfhes.
DOCTOR GEORGE.


value George Hixson had on his twenty
second birthday. was handsome diploma
of parchment tied up with blue ribbon.
The diploma was from 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 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
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 Lampson
man who had known George from the
day of his birth.
Chow de do. George, how de do? Home
again, eh ?" was the old mans greeting.
"Yes. sir. replied George; "home
to stay this time"
$50 yer full-hedged pill maker. an
ready to go into partnership with old Bill
", our grave yard sexton. hey ?" asked
the old man, with poor wit.
HCtt &c lCll poSCo ~ lSSSio tiiios pot
he did not.
here in Sharon, do yep'' continued old
EnOch.
Yes, sir. do
oval. now, dono-i dono bout that
George"
"Why shouldn't | begin here?" asked
the young man; Il hear that old DR.. Ed
munds has died lately, and that no one
has yet come to take his place. Why
should not do so? am Young"
That's hit, George!" that's hit - in
terrupted old Enoch: eyer too young !;
that's jist whar the shoe pinches. Least
wise, that's one place whar hit pinches.
'Nuther thing is that-that-"
The old man scratched his head in evil
dent 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 connections is; you know
that"
81 know 1t so well that you need not
take the trouble to enlighten me, any fur
Their on the subject" replied the young
man, very quickly; Il know to my sor-
tOW tudl lily 1dltlCI vas d COiIIIOu vi uDk-
ard, and that | am generally known as
"old Joe HiXson's son. l know that my
eldest brother followed in my fathers
footsteps, and was killed in drunken
brawl in this town My other brother has
gone to the bad, too. But | know, and
You know, too, Mr.. Lampson, that my
mother was as good woman as ever
lived through years of shame and suffer-
ing, to die at last of broken heart"
That's even so, George" admitted
the old man: 81 knowed your mother
when she was purity Mary Jackson, fore
it was ever her misfortune to know yer
reperbate father, an she was. az you say,
as good a woman as ever drawed breath :;
but hits yer fathers name you've got. an
the name o Hixon don't STAN very high
in these parts. But III say fer you.
George. that hain't word to say again
you pussonally an individooly. am free
ter say and believe that yer of a mind ter
do what's right, an that you want to raise
yer name far 'bove the ojeeum that's now
on HIT"
81 do want that" was the young mans
earnest reply. land it's strange if the
Christian people of this town refuse to
give me help and enc engagement. My
own record here is clear; am not
ashamed to have it read OF course,
am young. and most people are little
afraid of young physicians; but all ply
sicians were young once. and must have
a beginning. you know
"Now | have studied faithfully, care
fully, even prayerfully. for tour long
years. have spent every dollar had
educating myself. No one knows of the
deprivations have had to suffer for this"
and he held up his diploma as he spoke
Il have earned it, he went on: sit is
my own by right of four years of hard
study. OF course know of the oppos-
ton | will probably meet with in the be-
ginning. am young: | know more of
theory than of practice, so far. But
there are several reasons why | want to
locate here in my boyhood's home. am
bound to win in the end-you will see
that do"
Wall, George, | hain't thing ag'in
you, myself. | wish you well as fur as
I'm concerned. Yer gritty; remember
that you had that streak in You when you
was little youngster But | iist made
up my mind that I'd tell you fair an
you here.
81 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 me courage and confidence now.
know it will not fail me-"
But there were many days and weeks
and months after that when poor Georges
courage and confidence almost failed him.
Old Enoch had truthtully said:
doctor George will have a hard row
to dig"
He had, indeed The name of Hixson
was in bad repute in and around Sharon.
The people were predjudiced against the
poor Young fellow. although they could
not but admit that his own character was
above reproach. They had known him
from his baby days up, and it did not
''seem natural" to call him Doctor"
Hixson. And he was so proud of that
hard-earned title.
Those who used it at all called him Doc
tor George; that took away half the dig
nifty for him and was familiarity he re-
sented in secret. although he dared not do
so openly. Others called him doc" and
that was simply CALLING to the high strung
young man. He was daily hurt by covert