******************************************************************************* Title: The Gift Disclaimer: The story of "Christy" belongs to the LeSourd family. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for Catherine Marshall's story or characters. This is written for my own amusement only. Note: A big thank you to my husband for patiently waiting while I do this! =) ********************************************************************************* The last remnants of summer still lingered in the mountains, and I was thankful for the opportunity to witness them first hand. I had returned two weeks earlier from my first visit home since arriving in Cutter Gap, anxious to prepare for the new school term. Little did I know the children had another important lesson for me to learn. = = = = = = = = = = = = I was eating my lunch outside on the first day of school, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and the children's shouts as they played. However I was puzzled to see Sam Houston sitting alone by the hitching post with a serious look on his face. Setting my food aside, I went over to see what was the matter. "Sam Houston, are you all right?" I asked as I knelt down beside him. "Teacher, I'm right uncertain about somethin'. 'Member when we made them watch fobs fer Preacher, to let 'im know we appreciated 'im?" I nodded my head to indicate I did. "Well, I got to thinkin', how come we haven't done likewise fer the Doc? Don't we appreciate 'im? He shore does a lot for us." I looked at Sam Houston in amazement. Dr. MacNeill had returned to these mountains to doctor his people rather that seek a more profitable practice in the city. He worked long hours - even with the assistance of Miss Alice - while doing research on trachoma (which had greatly helped Becky O'Teale). He even gave regular science lessons to the students, as I was lacking myself in this area. "Sam Houston, you are absolutely right," I replied with a grin. "It's time we let him know how much we appreciate him too." "Who are we showing our appreciation to?" I looked up to see David striding towards us. "Reverend Grantland, one of my pupils feels we have been remiss in showing our appreciation for the Doctor's work here in the Cove." By this time, we had stood to join David as he continued towards the school. A thoughtful look crossed his face as he looked back at us. "Well then, it is high time we remedied the situation. We can ask the others for suggestions this afternoon." = = = = = = = = = = = = For people who had so little in terms of material goods, the generosity of people in Cutter Gap never ceased to amaze me. The idea of doing something special for Neil caught on like wildfire. As it turned out, the Doctor was in need of a new fishing basket, or creel: His previous one had been hastily thrown into the river when he had to abandon his fishing for an emergency medical call. The creel was later found, but had been heavily damaged. We spent the remainder of the afternoon making a list of supplies which would be needed, deciding a repair of the original creel was possible. Sam Houston was in charge of its mending as he had found it and his mother was a talented weaver. Each student also made a special card telling of something special Dr. MacNeill had done for them or a loved one. So intent were they on their work, I could only get them to go home after solemnly promising to guard their handiwork at the mission house. = = = = = = = = = = = = AFter supper that evening, Miss Alice and I retreated to the parlour. "David tells me thee and the children are hard at work on a gift for Doctor MacNeill." She looked at the pile of cards on the table beside the davenport. "Would these be the fruits of their labours?" A small smile graced her features. I nodded my head as I returned her smile. "Miss Alice, the children are so excited about this. And did David tell you it was Sam Houston's idea?" She nodded her head yes. "Now all we need to do is decide when to give him everything." "Mrs. Holcombe should have the creel mended by week's end, although Neil would not be able to use it right away. Perhaps you could present it to him the next time he is at the school?" Miss Alice suggested. "That's an excellent idea! He is to be coming to the school tomorrow to determine the time for our first science lesson. Now I hope the children will be able to keep this quiet." We both said a silent prayer for Ruby Mae. = = = = = = = = = = = = The next day came and went with no sign of Neil. This did not worry me as it had happened before where he was to give a lesson, but had been called away on an emergency. I spent the next evening at the school marking spelling tests and putting the final touches on the next day's lessons. The children's cards, now completed, lay in a neat pile on my desk. I smiled as I recalled their excited chatter as they made plans to surprise Dr. MacNeill with their gifts. "Now, if only we could do this without making him suspicious. . ." I mused aloud. "Make who suspicious?" I glanced up in surprise at the sound of Neil's voice. Blushing furiously at having been caught talking to myself, I nonetheless managed to hide the cards in my satchel before he saw them. "Oh, no one you know," I managed to stammer while Neil chuckled softly. "I do believe you face is redder than Ruby Mae's hair," he teased. I gave him what I hoped was a withering glare as he made his way to my desk. "I can see I best be leaving this topic alone." He settled comfortably onto the bench in front of me, the twinkle still evident in his hazel eyes. "The reason I came by was to apologize for missing our appointment yesterday. I was called out to Raven Gap the night before, and had no time to leave word. I had hoped to be back in time." "Nothing serious, I hope?" "No - it was a case of appendicitis, but I wanted to make sure there were no complications from the surgery." He paused as he quickly scanned the room. "So, when are you planning for the children's first science lesson?" I saw my opportunity and quickly took hold of it. "Would tomorrow be too soon?" I asked as I placed some papers in my satchel. "You aren't wanting to waste any time, are you?" Neil replied in a bantering tone. Not waiting for me to answer, he added "I'll see what I can do." = = = = = = = = = = = = Needless to say, I was confused by the children's' lack of enthusiasm for Dr. MacNeill's visit the following day. "It ain't that we don't want to see 'im, Miz Christy," Ruby Mae explained. "Hit's jest we was thinkin' Sunday would be better, bein' the Doc's birthday 'n' all." "His birthday is this Sunday? September 7th? Why didn't anybody tell me this?" "Well, Teacher," piped up Little Burl, "I reckon hit's because ya never asked." I smiled in spite of myself. "Of course, Little Burl, that would be why." Just then I saw Neil riding up the hill. "We will have to continue this later, as the doctor is here for your science lesson." = = = = = = = = = = = = I recounted my amazement over the children's restraint that evening during supper. "Not one of them breathed a word about; Ruby Mae included." "Aw, Miz Christy," Ruby Mae chimed in, "I kin keep things quiet when needs be." "Yes, you can," I replied warmly, "And you did a fine job today." Ruby Mae beamed at my compliment as she started clearing the table. I was about to help her, when Sam Houston burst through the door. "Miz Christy, I gots bad news!" His voice came out in gasps. David, Miss Alice and I rushed over to him. "Hit's about Doc MacNeill!" Miss Alice quickly took charge. "Did he have an accident Sam Houston? Is he ill?" "No ma'am," he stated, his breathing slowing down now. "But he's coughin' and sneezin' somethin' fierce! He was lookin' right poorly when I went to show 'im some arrowheads." "I'm no doctor," David said, "but it sounds to me like Dr. MacNeill has got a cold. He probably got caught in that rainstorm on his way back from Raven Gap." Miss Alice nodded her consent at David's diagnosis. "I believe thee is right, Reverend. That, and he is probably lacking sleep as well." Turning to Sam Houston, she offered him a reassuring smile. "The doctor will be fine, but I will go over there to make sure it is not serious." After grabbing her medical bag, the two of them quickly headed out the door. "David, this is wonderful!" He looked at me quizzically. I hastily explained: "I found out today Neil's birthday is this Sunday. Now we have a perfect reason to visit him and give him the children's gifts." = = = = = = = = = = = = Miss Alice and David's diagnosis proved to be correct - Neil had caught a cold. However, as Miss Alice noted when she returned that night, doctors make miserable patients. Fairlight was in agreement when I saw her that Sunday at church: "And hit ain't because he's a doctor -- he's jest always been ornery. Don't like nothin' slowin' 'im down." So I prepared the children and myself for the worst as we made our way to his cabin that afternoon. "I ain't afeerd o' the Doc, Miz Christy," stated Creed Allen as we neared our destination. "And why is that, Creed?" "Well, his bark is sometimes worse than his bite!" I chuckled in spite of myself. Our journey ended at the porch of Neil's cabin. He was sitting outside smoking his pipe while he tied a fishing fly, seeming oblivious to our presence. We might have believed he hadn't seen us, were it not for the slight crinkling around his eyes as he worked. "Doctor MacNeill," I began, "how are you feeling today?" The children echoed my question. "Why hello children, Miss Huddleston." Neil tamped out his pipe. "I am feeling much better, thank you. But what brings you all by here?" Everyone cleared a path for Sam Houston, who was reluctantly being pushed along. Neil came down the steps and met him there. "What's that you have there, Sam Houston?" Nervously, Sam Houston thrust out the fishing creel before him, which was overflowing with the children's cards. "This here's for you, Doc MacNeill, on account hit's your birthday an' all." Neil took the creel from him. "We jest wanted ya to know how much we appreciate ya 'n' all ya do here." A big smile broke across Neil's face as he examined the creel and the children's cards. And without a word, he carefully laid everything aside before hugging each one of the children and thanking them for the gifts. Even though it had been initiated by Sam Houston, each child was made to feel their contribution was of equal importance. I, too, received a hug of thanks from Neil. "What was that for?", I asked as he placed a gentle kiss on top of my head (much to the delight of the children). Neil gazed down at me, his eyes serious, with something shimmering beneath the surface I could not place. "Thank you for helping make this a day I will treasure always." The End!