Page 59 - Humanism 2019

“Smallpox? I never heard nothing of it,” I say as I chew.

“See those soldiers yonder? Coming from Doc Rush?”

“I see.”
“They have smallpox. Most Grant’s Yanks do.”

As I looked across the street, I saw Pa coming out of the
Doc’s looking down at his hand.

“I better go, Pickens. Thanks fer the licorice whip!”
“Take care, boy.”

Pa looked up at the empty seat. Then he saw me coming
out the hardware store. He called with a stern voice, “Get
Here is an old photograph of what the Market looked like in Lancaster. in the carriage, Linnaeus.” The ride home was quiet. I did
There were many different types of wagons like butcher, baker, berry,
and fruit and vegetable wagons lined up along the street to sell groceries. not ask him about his hand nor did he tell me. It must
By looking at the photograph, I decided to state in my story that the have been serious, but I didn’t ask. When we got home, I
market was located on King Street. I also wanted to include the imagery put the mare in the barn and fed the livestock. It was
and description of the wagons in my story. nearing evening and Johnny was ready to retire fer the
evening.

’Tis fine.” A month later, Pa saw that his hand wouldn’t I asked him, “Johnny? You ever hear of smallpox?”
heal on its own and then, stubbornly, took Ma’s word and
“Huh? Smallpox, you say. No, I don’t reckon I have.”
went to see the Doc. I hitched up ol’ Nelly and the buggy.
Well, as I said before, he was rather dim. I was hoping he
We left Warwick and traveled the few miles into
could give me some information. I fed the livestock and
Lancaster. I was excited to go into Lancaster, but knew
went inside fer supper. Over supper, Father spoke of what
that we were there fer important business. It was 1861 at
Doc had said.
the time and Dr. Benjamin Rush was in town treatin’
Grant’s Yankees fer smallpox. I was to wait in the buggy Father said seriously, “Doc say my hand is infected. He
while Pa went in. As I looked around, I saw the pour alcohol on it and sewed it up. Hope it works before
blacksmith taking a horseshoe out of the forge with his plantin’ time.” Well, sadly fer Father, it didn’t get better. I
tongs. I could see women and their daughters wearing remember each day it got worse and worse. Father, you
sunbonnets coming out the Central Market with baskets see, was a strong man, and never wanted to admit when
filled with produce. All the produce, baker, berry, and he was in pain. But, I could tell. So the day that I was
butcher wagons were lined up along East King Street. I helpin’ plant tobacca, I noticed that he walked funny and
saw the Landises going into the hardware store. I’m sure asked him why.
they were gettin’ supplies fer their new tobacca shed. The
Pa said, “Back is hurtin’, son. Don’t know why. Maybe
hour had passed and I was tired of sittin’ there waiting. I
lifted too many a feed bags.”
jumped down and looked ’round. We came to Lancaster
once in awhile when we needed supplies. I skipped across Pa’s condition worsened by the day. After a few weeks,
the street to the General Store. It always smelled of rashes and sores began to break out all over his skin. Pa
ground coffee beans and saw dust. told me to drive Ma into Lancaster to talk to Doc Rush
while my brother, Henry, and him planted tobacca.
“Hi, Linnaeus!” called a voice from behind. It was ol’
Mr. Pickens, who owned the store. Doc said, “I don’t like the symptoms. I think he may have
smallpox.” Ma was shocked and worried. On the way
He always gave me a licorice whip when I would come in.
back to Warwick, I could tell she was thinking. When we
“What brings you to town?” he asks.
pulled in the lane, I saw Pa walkin’ to the house.
“Well, my Pa got a cut in his hand, you see. He’s visiting
the Doc.” “Pa, Doc says to stay in bed and rest.”
“Does he? I need to have six er so acres of tobacca
“Oh? I hope ’tis nothing serious,” he states as he handed
planted. I have no time fer rest.”
me a licorice whip. “Ya know there has been an outbreak.
Smallpox they say. Say ’tis worse than drought or wild Johnny came out of the barn, “Linnaeus and me will do
fire.” it, Simon. You kin rest.”

HUMANISM IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES 2019 • VOL. 22 56