The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1910-07-29
The Pledge
of the Poor
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The little old father seemed very
dear to Margaret, who was watching
him as he wrote his records rapidly
in his small, cramped hand. 1t was
all or nearly all, that he wrote. Long
ago he had given up hope of the book
which was to have been his life work,
and buried it deep beneath country
physicians responsibilities. Margaret
had always resented this. What right
had these people to his life, who scarce
ly accorded him living?
Father" she said, suddenly, what
are you writing?"
He held the page with his forefinger,
as he met her cold gray eyes with a
pair startlingly like them. Then he
smiled, and two wrinkles disappeared
from his forehead, and two appeared
about his mouth.
Gust visits, dear, to pay-and to be
paid for" he answered.
There are many more of the first
than of the last, aren't there?"
"Why, surely"
He smiled as he said it, but Mar
garet did not smile. So it had always
been, SO it would always be-four to
pay and one to be paid for. And they
needed many things. No one knew
that better than Margaret. Much re-
sponsibility devolyed on her. The lit
tie half-invalid mother must not know,
the children could not, the father did
not But Margaret had complete un-
derstanding of the lease of life accord
ed boyish boots, of the wants, wishes
and needs of growing girls
She thought with hot impatience of
her fathers coat-how green it had
looked in yesterdays blaze of sunlight!
How green it would look in the sun
light of how many to-morrows! 1t was
not right; it was not fair. She had a
fierce impulse to hide him away from
others and himself; to tighten his path
with the success her love and ambition
craved. He spent himself freely on
those who gave not again. He threw
his love, his learning, his very life into
battle which was not to the strong.
Margaret laid down the scarcely
touched sewing. The offer of assist
ance trembled on her lips. But before
she had time to speak, knock sound
ed.
Margaret knew that knock-hurried,
anxious, impatient, that would not be
denied, The old door had echoed to
many scores of just such knocks.
20 dear!" she said Her father
started as soon as she. Knocks like
that, the call to arms of the physician,
sounded through his deepest slumbers.
He was transformed in the twinkling
Of an eye. The wearied old man was
the alert physician, confident, eager.
eyed, the light of battle on his face.
Margaret's heart thrilled as she looked
at him.
In a moment he was back. He turn
ed to Margaret, half-laughing.
"Its Mrs. Barr's baby-the health
lest little mite. Quite likely it is
merely pin sticking him, but I'll
have to go and set her mind at rest"
But you're so tired. Why don't
you let her wait till morning?"
why, Margaret! By morning l
should have two patients on my hands.
You don't know these young mothers"
Il know they haven't much consid-
Grafton"
Now, Margaret, that isn't like you.
How can we expect her to think of
anything but her little sick child?"
AS he talked the physician had been
throwing things in little black bag.
He shut 1t now with sharp click.
It's quite probable there's nothing
much the matter with the baby. If
not, I'll be back tonight. II should
be detained, though, l may have to
take the train instead of coming
home"
Il thought the convention was next
week."
1T is, but I'm leaving two days
aneaQ OF time. Theres a case Parker
wants to talk over with me-"
Margaret flushed with pride at the
honor so simply stated. After all,
there were some who appreciated him.
But what about the bills you were
going to make out, father? You see,
the girls winter things have to come,
and"
Jacks shoes, and Roberts, and--I
know them all, my little troubled Mar
tha. but | can't delay tonight"
Gould I make them out? Even a
day makes difference"
why, to be sure you could. It
would be help to me"