The Doctor's Apprentice

Darleen R. Golke is a high-school teacher-librarian in Winnipeg,
Manitoba.

Barkerville, British Columbia, is revisited in this sequel to Moses, Me
and Murder (1988). It is April 1868, and Ted MacIntosh, now 14, is
haunted by the spectre of James Barry, a hanged murderer whom he helped
identify. Ted suffers terrifying nightmares. In desperation his parents
turn to Dr. J.B. Wilkinson, who proposes that a reluctant Ted become his
apprentice, in the hope that keeping Ted’s mind occupied will
eliminate his nightmares. And so it does. At the same time, Ted
discovers that J.B. endures his own nightmares during which his mind
“jumps and twitches and ties itself into great knots of anguish.”

Ted calls his initial duties “woman’s work” but soon turns to
building shelves for J.B.’s books and medicines with skills learned in
his father’s carpentry shop. Ted progresses to studying medicines and
herbs, mixing prescriptions, writing out directions, and eventually
accompanying J.B. on calls. After they assist in the birth of twins,
J.B. succumbs to a previous opium addiction but returns after a
month’s hiatus quieter and more introspective.

By September 16 winter has arrived in Barkerville. J.B. sends Ted to
attend a disgraced Chinese outcast, Yan Quan, who is dying alone at the
Peace House. During Ted’s vigil, a fire ravages Barkerville and almost
costs him his life. The spectre that has tormented his waking and
sleeping consciousness for two years awakens him from a drugged sleep,
warns him of danger, and impels him to seek safety. The fire terminates
Ted’s apprenticeship with the doctor and sends him back to his
father’s carpentry business to help rebuild the town.

This first-person coming-of-age tale paints a vivid portrait of
Barkerville during the gold rush era. Exhibiting both strengths and
flaws, Ted and J.B. are believable and engaging. Included are author’s
notes about the historical background. Recommended.