It was a typical November day in Dodge, except for the fact the town folk still seemed to be riding the good feelings left from the fall fair; unusual for this time of year. Rather than lamenting and chewing about the looming winter weather, they focused on the good memories, even if it was a laugh about Ed O'Connor's eaten cabbage. The temperatures seemed typical for the prairie town as they fluctuated throughout the day from warm to cold and back again; the nights cold get quite cool.
It was early Monday morning as Wilbur Jonas paused before he opened his store; his right hand still bothering him after being hit with the hammer. He decided to pay the doctor a visit. Jonas climbed the stairs and knocked on the door.
"It's open," Doc stated from within.
The store owner carefully opened the door and stepped into the doctor's office. There was already a man there who appeared quite agitated, which caused the store owner to turn to the door.
"Just hold on Jonas," Doc barked. "I'll be with you in a minute," he stated.
Wilbur Jonas nodded and stepped off to the side as he watched the doctor with the other man. "Okay. Find. I'll be right out as soon as I get somethings together. In the mean time, give your boy a few drops of this, it will help with the pain,. Make sure you keep him still and give him water," he said as he handed the farmer a small bottle.
The man nodded, "Thanks Doc. I'll see you when you get there. I would have brought Peter here, but he said that just the slightest movement caused him too much pain," the farmer stated nervously.
Doc nodded, "If the break is as be as you say it is, I can well imagine. Now you get moving," he shooed the man from his office.
Thomas Hayes quickly left the doctor's office, closing the door behind him.
Doc busied himself with the things he needed to treat a broken leg. He then paused and looked over to the store owner, "I'm sorry, Jonas. What can I do for you?" he asked stepping toward the man.
Jonas was between feelings, "I guess it can wait," he stammered.
"What can wait?" Doc almost barked at the store owner.
"My hand," Jonas tried to smile.
Doc looked Jonas in the eyes, "As soon as I'm back from the Hayes place, I'll look at your hand," he winked. He knew by the look on the store owner's face that he was still in a degree of discomfort with the hand; perhaps there was a cracked bone, after all. He resumed what he was doing.
"That'll be fine Doc," Jonas smiled slightly as he watched the doctor go back to packing some things. "Later today?" he asked meekly.
Doc looked over his glasses at the store owner, "I should hope so! The Hayes place is only just past Wright. I should be there in an hour," he returned his attention to his work.
"I'll see you this afternoon then," Jonas smiled as he moved to the door and opened it.
"Yup," Doc stated as he looked up. "Could you do me a favour and ask Hank to get my buggy ready?"
"Certainly," Jonas nodded and left the doctor's office. The wind seemed a little chillier after having been in a warm building. Jonas pulled his coat collar tight around his neck as he left the doctor's office to go to the stable. He was grateful no one was waiting at the store at the early hour of the day.
By the time Doc had organized the things he needed to treat a broke leg and leave his office, Hank had his buggy ready and waiting in the alley below the stairs. The doctor ambled down the stairs and looked over to see Jonas shaking his right hand and cursing slightly. Although he thought it was slightly amusing, he also realized that the store owner was suffering. He walked over, "I meant what I said," he looked Jonas in the eye.
The store owner blinked in understanding, "I know Doc. I'll see you later today," he quickly flashed a smile and went on about his business.
Doc drew a deep breath and shook his head as he walked to his buggy and climbed in. With a slight clip of the reins they were off to the Hayes farm. Wilbur Jonas watched over his shoulder as the buggy travelled up Front Street and finally disappeared past the buildings. "That is a job I would never envy," he uttered as he reached for the broom and began to sweep the boardwalk in front of the general store.
The journey out to the Hayes farm was fairly swift, although Doc felt that the daytime temperature had dropped but a degree or two; perhaps it was because the clouds came and went as the sun tried to warm the day. One thing was for certain – fall was most definitely here as the geese from up north were now making their way south in the big V's and the characteristic honk they made. Doc pondered their calls and he attributed them as chatting or telling which goose was next to lead. It, he gathered, would take a great more study than a ride out into the country to determine.
Within a few minutes, Doc turned his rig up the long lane to the Hayes farm. The family had a good reputation in Dodge and they were also known to keep their farm in order and it was more than the case as Doc scanned the farm as he rode along.
He reached the house and set the foot break on his rig. He stepped down and pulled a rope and weight to which he attached to the horse's harness, near the bit. As he looked about, Doc retrieved his medical bag and walked to the house.
Martha Hayes was at the front door to greet him, "Oh, Doc. You're here. Peter's in awful pain," she stated.
"I can imagine. Being kicked in the leg by a horse can't be good," Doc said with a tick of his head. "Lead me to him," he motioned.
Doc entered the room where the young man lay. He was clearly in a lot of pain, even though his father had given him some of the laudanum. Doc set his medical bag down on the chair and sat on the bed next to the boy. He peeled back the blankets and took a look at Peter's leg. It was much worse than he imagined. But he was confident that with what he could do and adequate care, the leg could be save.
Doc looked up to Peter's parents, "I think I can save his leg, but I need a lot of hot water and you will need to follow my instructions when I'm through," he stated. Both Thomas and Martha Hayes nodded. Martha quickly left to get the water for the doctor. Thomas stood worried for his only son.