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I removed the bandages and long splint, and applied & pre
scribed large poultices around the joint; placing the limb too,
in order to secure its quiet, in a rough case which I manufac
tured from clapboards with a drawing knife, saw and pork chop
ping bench, I worked for a long time at my rustic splint box
surgery in the back woods this Mr Jordan came in sick
heaving, vomiting and groaning making a dire concert of guttur
al sounds suffering from the recurrence of a chill, did'nt
wish any physic until he became really sick & then he'd send for
me I left the dressing of little Janes leg in their hands, ho
ping that I shall be no more needed in the case I returned,
eat a hasty dinner, gave Tom a little corn, remounted him
and hied away for Marianna I left at 1 1/2 or 2 o'clock,
carrying my clarinet for Thaddy & Liston's Surgery for John,
reached there at about 6 o'clock about an hour after dusk
as as I led Tom in the back gate, heard Thaddy say "its
Charley" and out of the door came he, Julia, and of all
in the world most unexpected Pa I was completely filled with
joyful surprise at meeting him; put up Tom, came in &
helped them finish supper, oysters etc. and learnt all about
the unlooked for visit; he had just popped in upon them,
without fore warning and I came in just when I should have
come We sat up quite late talking Pa has brot a fine
new gun & equipments and is going to revel in the sports of
the wild wood during the Christmas holidays Twill do
him good After spending a week in Marianna, he is com
ing over to pay me a visit I read two letters from him,
Ma & Callie affectionate letters also one from Miss Neary,
with a little P S from Dr Drake & one from [Byrdie] all af
fectionate and cheering rejoicing Father Thaddy & I
went to the Drug store, where I selected my necessary supply
of medicine Little Ellen is fat, fatter, fattest her feet
recovered almost perfectly from their once so troublesome eruption,
& she learning how to toddle about, with little aid, astonishing
ly fast (I physicked a sick baby of Betsy's before starting)