Getting the doctor’s goat….I want a goat but he won’t let me have one

The state I live in turns 100 on February 12, 2012 so the local newspaper has been reprinting news stories from 1912.  This one My Honey pointed out to me and we both found it delightfully amusing if only for the florid word choices.

April 28, 1912

Someone had got Dr. Crepin’s goat.  This was learned yesterday afternoon when several of his friends came into his office to view the elegant cut of mutton of which the doctor claimed he was the owner.

Yesterday doctor Crepin made a trip into the country, north of the town, to a farmer friend of his.  The genial rustic wished to show his appreciation for the doctor’s visit and accordingly killed a fine young goat, dressed it and gave it to the doctor on his departure.

Arriving in the city, the doctor divided the cut of mutton and presented Dr. Huffman with one half.  The other he carefully laid away in his office.  Proud of the possession of this fine meal to be, Dr. Crepin sallied forth upon street to meet his friends, five or six of whom he acquainted with the fact of his treasure.  He called them to his office to view the beautiful cuts and ribs.  But, lo, upon returning, he and the friends could find the meat nowhere.

The city physician sorely vexed put forth in haste to the police station and notified them of the theft.  He offered $10 for the thief dead or alive.

Back upon the main street again he bethought himself that he had invited several of his friends to a fine meal of mutton, for Sunday dinner.

Dejected and sore, he entered a butcher shop and there purchased “some fine mutton.” And this is what got the doctor’s goat.

Does anyone else find it alarming the doctor offered the reward “dead or alive” over the theft of meat?  I’m sorry he was “sorely vexed” but that seems a bit excessive coming from a physician.  But my favorite line is “sallied forth upon street.” Who says that?  And then, “but, lo, upon returning.” I ask you, who, besides me, talks like that?

It is always amusing to me to see how our language is constantly evolving.