"I don't suppose there is any greater tax on human ingenuity than
to carry three watermelons!" he remarked. "The human structure
is ideally adapted to the transportation of two--it can be done
with comfort; but when a body tackles three he finds that nature
herself is opposed to the proceeding! Well, I am going back for
a bee-gum I saw in a fence corner. Hannibal will enjoy that--a
child is always wanting sweets!"
In this fashion they fared gaily across the state, but as they
neared the Mississippi the judge began to consider the future.
His bright and illuminating intelligence dealt with this problem
in all its many-sidedness.
"I wish you'd enter one of the learned professions, Solomon--have
you ever thought of medicine?" he inquired. Mr. Mahaffy laughed.
"But why not, Solomon? There is nothing like a degree or a
title--that always stamps a man, gives him standing--"
"What do I know about the human system?"
"I should certainly hope you know as much as the average doctor
knows. We could locate in one of these new towns where they have
the river on one side and the canal on the other, and where
everybody has the ague--"
"What do I know about medicine?" inquired Mahaffy.
"As much as Aesculapius, no doubt--even he had to make a
beginning. The torch of science wasn't lit in a day--you must be
willing to wait; but you've got a good sick-room manner. Have
you ever thought of opening an undertaker's shop? If you
couldn't cure them you might bury them.
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