River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-05-13
YOUNG DOCS" WAGER.
DY PAUL DANNY.
copyright. 1871

copyright. 1871
The real beginning OF this story was
at about midsummer some I3 years
Hgo. Melville OPdyke. who was read
ing medicine here with old Doc Thomas.
had been driving over the hill TO the
Wilsey settlement pretty regular for
some time. One afternoon he started
rather earlier than common, and as
usual drove straight TO Gavin Migrants
Young Doc" as we all called Melville
then, got TO Ingram's Just as the old
man had comfortably settled himself
on his front stOop to enjoy his after
supper pipe. Opdyke tied his horse in
front of the house and went and sat
down by Ingram, and told him why he
had driven over. Ingram smoked hard
" lille the Young man was talking
When he had finished the older man
took his pipe out of his mouth, threw
back his shaggy head and laughed till
his big chest heaved like blacksmith's
bellows. When he had got his breath
he looked the young man over with
great care.
Il declare. Young Doc" he said at
last, in his strong north of ireland way
OF talking which l can't quite repro
duce. the very notion is enough TO
make old Bald Hill turn over between
the valleys and smoker. To think of nv
Meg a-marryin' with a slim young chap
like you. that don't do enough work
from one years eud 20 another TO make
water blisters come in the palms of his
hands.
Nay, nay. No young pill-roIler with
soft paddles and lace shoes. who wears
white collar all the time as if every
day was the Sabbath, can have nv lass.
il would be as easy for the lunatics
that are hankerin' TO see the cars here
in this valley TO get the line Of the new
railroads changed as for ;he likes of you
10 win Meg.
Take no offence. lad. Gavin Ingram
went on commiseratingly, Il don't dis
like ye-nOt You can't help il that We
were born to tend sick folks instead OF
doing good. honest hard work. and of
course We can't help being taken up
with Meg. but you must surely get that
foolish notion ont of your boys head"
Young Doc" heard Gavin through
81 patiently a. Gavin had listened TO
HIM just a. the older man finished,
the younger one looked up and saw
Meg. pale and with blazing eyes. stand
ing in the door way. She put her fin
ger on her lips and stepped softly back
into the house.
We'll. Gavin Ingram" said Melville.
ms calmly as he could. I'm right sorry
!ou feel that way. hut III tell YOU one
thing. I'll marry Meg and yOU'I see the
railroad trains running through this
valley and right across your own fats"
This seemed TO amuse Gavin more
than ever. and again he laughed long
and hearty.
well. WELL" he said after awhile,
'we'U see And I'll make bargain
with you right now, my fine fellow "
the railroad = ever built through this
valley We shall have Meg and welcome.
PROV idirg shell have YOU. unless in the
meantime we've gotten tired of waiting.
Jlut IL il don't then We must saw no
more about m1rrying with her. We
may come and see her once in awhile,
g. we're so mir lei. for can trust nv
lass; but that's all. Is't bargain?''
Young Doe" saw that his bIutf had
been called and he didn't quite see his
his hand for a shake on he compact.
though he was hardly prepared for
Gaviu's next move.
WOW" said the old man. "wc'll call
the lass and explain il all TO her so that
everything 'ill be fair ard above board"
She was AT first inclined to be indig-
raut al Melville. but she masked her
feelings very well. so far rs her words
were concerned. aud il was too late
in the evening for her father to read
ler face. After the situation had been
mad quite clear. old Gavin went into
the house and left the lovers TO talk
il over together on the porch while the
Stars came out
Young Doc" did not have a long
conversation With Meg that evening.
There nere still traces of tears on her
face when he drove away. but her last
words 10 him showed that she was not
altogether sure her lover had the worst
cud 81 the bargain.
well. Mels iile." she said, "mavbe
you're right. but suppose you should
Ire wrong? You wouldn't dare break
Your word TO Gavin Migrant"
"I'll not have TO. Meg. never fear. but
even II I'm wrong we'll find some way
10 change his mind"
IL was not over the hin and towards
the Corners that Melville turned his
horses head when he drove away from
t;ayin lngram's that night, but ir the
direction of Slatertown. where he knew
the chief engineer Of the new railroad
was staying sor few days. The young
medical student had CHANGED TO make
himself of some service in dressing a
sprained anhl, for this great parsonage
few days previous. and therefore had
40 difficulty in getting him 10 listen tU
his story. IL was long past midnight
when they parted aud the young doc
whIstled confidently IL himself as he
drove over Bald Hin back to the Cor
ners.
4 few days later Gavin Ingram.
- hose opinion OF Melville had not been
at all increased by the latter's apparent
lick OF nerve with gard to Meg. was
surprised on going 10 the WilseyVille
most Office after his mail. by the sight
Of a piacsrd printed in the blacklist of
bold faced type
Railroad meeting vas us tnle. anu
the substance of the bill was strong
appeal TO the public spirited citizens OF
the township TO turn out aud make one
more last effort to procure change in
the route Of the new railroad. IL hal