Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-28
Gales aud Sketrhfs.
DOCTOR GEORGE.
CONTINUED from Yesterday


at will come right in the end" he
said; but the end is Sc far away.
He would be only "old Joe Xix
sons son" to these people all the days OF
his life. There was no end to that shame
and sorrow The sins OF drunken and
depraved father we're visited upon the
head of a son who was deserving OF the
worlds honor and esteem. He had risen
above them into the beauty and glory OF
pure and noble manhood
Through shame and sorrow, discourage
ment and poverty. he had struggled up to
a higher and better life, and vet the good
people of Sharon daily made him look
backward to the life he had left. And no
friendly hand was stretched forth to help
him onward.
at is really surprising to see the assur-
ance 'old Joe Hixson's SON. displays"
said Mrs. Colonel Gddings, "with his an
tecedents, to set himself up here for ply
stefan"
How many of us can look back through
the aces to ancestors in whom there was
no guile, and for whom we need not
blush?
During six months Dr. George had but
had cut his finger badly, and the other
was child with the collie. He had not,
however. wasted bis time. He had studied
and learned much.
He was bright, observing young fell
low, and no one in Sharon would have
ever guessed that the bright letters and
sketches they read in certain Eastern pa
pers were written bv "Old Joe Hixson s
SON. He had signed Alexis" to all he
had written, and had been able to meet
his small expenses with the money he had
received for his work.
But he had not spent four years study
ing medicine to finally become a news
paper reporter.
At last he made up his mind to 90 out
West. Hope had died out of his heart
The people OF Sharon were determined to
ignore him. He could not succeed there.
the boundless West. Perhaps the fates
would be less cruel to him there. He
need not be 'Old Joe Hixson's son"
among strangers. But there were those
precious promises!
They will be fulfilled yet. in the Lords
own time and place." he said, cheerfully.
ale probably means that shall 90 away
from here, for something better than
have dared hope for"
So he made ready to 90. 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. and
he had gone around saying good-by to
him. He intended to 90 on Tuesday.
On Monday afternoon a little tow
headed boy met him on the street.
Say. you, Doctor George" he said.
my ma wants you to come up to our
house and see if there's anything the
matter of our Tommy; cause if there is
ma wants to send tor Doctor Graves"
The insulting message made the blood
fairly Jingle in the young doctors veins.
But she next moment he laughed.
"Oh! well, it don't matter" he said f;
"I'll go. 1t will help me to 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
and tar on your nose to make you well +;
you have the smallpox"
Il don't believe it!' said Tommy's
mother. sharply; II don't believe you
know smallpox from the measles! I'll
send for DR.. Graves right off"
Very well, madam" said DR.. George
politely bowling himself out.
But late that evening Toms mother
came crying to DR.. George.
"Dr. Graves wouldn't come" she said :;
che was going to. but when he heard that
it looked like small pox with Tommy he
said he wasn't well, and Just sent some
medicine that amt done him bit of good.
If you would come, sir!'
1t was the first time he had been ad-
dressed as sir" for many a day
"Of course | will 60" he said.
That was the beginning of DR.. Georges
practice in Sharon. Within ten days there
were fourteen cases of small pox. The
annals of the little town contain a record
of how it was scourged by that fearful
disease. Before the end came there were
one or more cases in nearly every house.
The means taken to prevent the spread of
the disease had proved Intellectual. AT
last the town was quarantined.
When DR.. Graves was sent for a second
time it was discovered that he had sud
denly been called away ION business"
He stayed away all winter.
Doctor George went back to his empty
office after seeing Tommy a second time.
He unpacked his little trunk, lighted q
candle, and began to read certain medi.
cal work He read until midnight, until
one, two, three O'Clock, until the dawn OF
day-that found him on his Bonded knees.
prayerful and even fearful. He felt that
there had been given him work to do
that change was coming in his life. He
opened his well-worn little Bible and
read:
II will not fail thee nor torsake thee. y
and again he read: "Be strong. aud again
| say. be strong"
And he was strong.
His strength was the strength of ten,
Because his heart was pure"
He becape tower OF strength to those
stricken people. He was doctor. nurse
consoler-more than he thought he ever
should be to suffering creatures.
His success with Tommy was assured
within few DAYS. and others came eager
ly after him. His skill in battling the dis.
ease was wonderful. Had he not the
Heavenly Help? There were few deaths.
and many people came forth, their fair
and blooming cheeks unmarked by the
dread disease.
Mrs. Colonel Giddngs beautiful daush.