THE VILLAGE DOCTOR.

Southland Times, Issue 587, 5 November 1866, Page 3

THE VILLAGE DOCTOR.

By Eiza WiLLSOsr. How proudly he struts down the principal Btreet, With his rm<r and his goldheaded cane ; How gracious he bows to the folks he may meet, To the rich and the poor just the same. Do you see that white cottage on top of the hill, That is where the old Alderman lives ; 'Tis the Doctor's best patient, and oh! such a bill Is due for the medicine he gives. And with such'a sad and a dolorous moan, He vows that th c people won't pay ; That they tell him in such a deplorable tone, They have paid their last farthing away. Yet from morning to night he is worked like a slave, And sent for to physic them all ; Though the children screamed loud at the drugs that he gave, And dubbed him old cross Dr. Gall. But still Jie jogs on with his physic and lore, No rival in practice to dread ; But trouble untbought of, was waiting in store, To pouuee on the Doctor's wise head. One morning as usual while making a call, He heard a most horrible tale ; T'was really enough his stout heart to appal, And make his brown visage turn pale. A Doctor had actually come from the town, Who called it a h ambug, not skill ; To poison the folks with a mixture so brown, And force down their throats a vile pill. At the mention of leeches and blisters, he feared That the people all slaughtered must be ; ! Then said with a bow, but I'm sure that he sneered, I'll wish you good morning, Miss B. Doctor Bolus indignant, turned crimson and white, And vowed he'd have vengeance twofold ; Left sulphur and pills to be taken at night, For the cure of the lady's bad cold. Next day 'twas mucli worse, and Miss B. thought it wise To call for the Doctor from town ; Who instead of black draughts, before her bright eyes, Three tiny white globules laid down. What a fuss and commotion the village is in, For a week or a fortnight, say more j Poor Bolus you cannot, the victory win, In spite of your physic, and lore. That Homcepathical Dr. G. Brown Who c'en with the children finds grace ; You vow and declare has bewitched the whole town, With his globules and canting old face. Invercargill, 24th October, 1866.