Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-08-26
The Doctors Pigs.

The Doctors Pigs.
II was familiar sight, summer or win
ter, to meet the doctors old buggy and a
pair OF sorrels jogging along the country
roads or entering the village streets. And
like as not the doctor would be huddled
up at one end of the seat, fast asleep, for
he was busy day and night, and snatched
his rest whenever he could.
When people were well, they were
more than little inclined to smile at the
doctors mud-bespattled vehicle and
moth-eaten buffalo robe, but when they
were sick, the shabby rig and the long
legged horses were the most welcome
sight in the world.
He really was good doctor, for those
times. Moreover, his patients always
got their moneys worth; for being dis
ciple of the old school, he was never
stingy with his bitter mixtures, and il
sometimes seemed that, like Mark Twain's
doctor, he prescribed doses which could
be held only by the largest persons.
He was shrewd old man, rich one,
too, as rural wealth is measured. His
big brick house was the best residence in
town, and his daughter who kept it was
the prettiest girl in the countryside.
He had a little farm just outside the
village, where it was his delight to spend
his spare time; and often man who had
come galloping into town, after rushing
from office to house, and from house to
farm, would find, the doctor up to his
knees in the creek, repairing the old wire
fence that spanned it, or in the hen-houSe,
giving the walls coat of whitewash.
One spring he had particularly fine
litter of Poland Chinas. There were six
of them, and by the middle Of summer
they were as fine and healthy-looking
shoats as could be seen anywhere.
But one morning they were gone from
the pasture. The doctor soon found
broken place in the fence, through which,
it appeared, they had escaped, although
he could find no trace OF them among the
fields. SO he hired a man named Hinck-
leman to ride about on his horse and hunt
for the missing porkers.
Hinckleman was thin, dark man, who
had a farm of his own, but was rather
shiftless, and often left his crops in the
care of his large family while he did odd
jobs for his more prosperous neighbors.
This man secured the country for sew
eral days, but the six young hogs were
not found. Their mysterious disappear
ance created considerable interest in the
village, but the doctor showed no desire
to discuss the affair.
Summer was waning and the fields were
ripening in the warm sunshine. On a
pleasant afternoon the doctor was making
visit at the Ashley farm house. AS he
was departing, he turned in the open
doorway and said:
"l'll just leave my team hitched here
while | cut across Hinckleman's corn-
field to Widow Robinson's."
A few moments later he disappeared
among the long, green leaves and waving
tasse1s along the road.
The field was large one, as Iowa
corn-fields often are. The heavy ears
on the tall stocks were we'll filled and fast
hardening.
AS the doctor neared the middle of the
field, he suddenly came upon tight
barbed-wire pen entirely surrounded by
the forest of corn. Six bristly, black-and-
white creatures, which had been sleeping
in one corner, sprang up with afrightened
"Woof p'
The old physician paused and looked
over the fence. He noticed the number
and the markings of the shoats, and his
look Of surprise changed into one of un-
derstanding. He stood few moments
and thought. Then he took his old brown
leather bag and walked on.
The doctor said not word to anybody
about his discovery, but went on fighting
malaria and other warm weather ills, until
they at last disappeared and people began
having colds, sore ttroats and other all
ments appropriate to late autumn weather
Nearly all the threshing was done,
corn-husking was in progress, cattle and
hogs were fat and ready for market.
Early one morning the doctor put on some
old clothes and betook himself to his
farm. His hired man, coming out after
breakfast, was surprised to find him in
the wagon-shed.
"We'll put on the hog-rack, John," he
said, "and take some hogs to market"
John wondered what hogs, but, as he
was not accustomed to ask the doctor
many questions, said nothing. The ply
rician himself drove, and presently stop
ped in front OF Hinckleman's house. He
gave the lines to the man, and climbed
out Of the wagon iustas Hinckleman came
out to see what was wanted.
"Hinckleman," he said, al think those
hogs of mine in the corn-field are ready
to sell. | wish you'd show us the best
way to drive in
There was short pause. Hinckleman
looked at the doctor, and the doctor
looked at Hinckleman. Then the doctor
transferred his gaze to broken wheel
barrow lying in the dooryard. Hinckle-
man looked off across the prairie to the
blue line of the river timber in the dis
tance.
Then again Hinckleman looked at the
doctor, and again the doctor looked at
Hincklenlan.
The wordless struggle ended. Hinck-
leman cleared his throat.
"All right, DOCTOR" he said.