The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-12-31
Chapter %
The Errand For Philip

was late afternoon when Sally
! left her desk clear and set out on
her errand for Philip Page. Although
the sun was low in the west. the
August day was sultry and close Rain
had 1ot fallen in some time and the
blistering heat poured down on War
renton. drying up he grass, blight
ing the flowers. The sidewalks were
hot to the touch of the feet. and the
few pedestrians hurried from one bit
of shade to another.
Along the shady avenues of the
older section of Warrenton. where
Sally lived. people found some COM
fort under the spreading branches of
great trees, or behind the awnings on
broad porches. There the women sat
through the aftern oons playing
bridge. drinking tea and gosslping.
Butjn the poUneF sectiono The town
the people did not fare 50 wen Sally
walked through streets where the
houses were mean and Crowded The
sun best down nlefcliessly ont, roofs
or cheap ~ papeF Coverings Women
sat In rockers 81 on The steps. tanning
themselves With paper fans. brushing
the flies from their babies. watching
their children play half-naked. up
and down the red gullies that served
as roads.
Befose Sally had gone halt the dis
lance she had to walk. her waite linen
dress was wiIte6. and her tace. under
the wide yellow straw hat was burn
ing with heat. She passed the Morris
mill. where there was smell of oil,
and the noise of machinery. Several
women stood in doorway of the mill.
trying to catch a breath Of air. To
Sally their faces seemed pinched and
pale. their bodies appeared to droop.
and they stared at her with dull: eyes
As she turned in at the Mcdonald
house. little. BOY ran to meet her II
was little Joe. wearing Just overalls.
without shirt or shoes.
J .'Hullo." he greeted her. Member
me?"
''Of course do" said Sally. "How's
your mother?"
"She's sick" said joe The doctor
comes to see her most every day"
whats the matter?" Sally asked
anxiously, She knew that the family
could have nearly nothing 10 live on
IL May Mcdonald were kept from
sewing.
"She's got to go to the hospital and
be cut" said Joe. Then she'll be
we'll"
But who's taking care of the chill
dren?"
5 Lula Belle is. She's eleven and a
half. now. She's real big
Patience and Poverty
THEY went up the steps OF the Nc
y Donald house. but this time the
busy whir of the sewing machine did
not greet Sally. Instead. a thir little
girl was making rhythmic noise with
voice and chair rockers to soCthe the
baby that fretted in her arms.
May Mcdonald lay in the brass bed
beneath the best crocheted coverlet
Sally was shocked TO see how drawn
her mouth was and how her skin had
yellowed in the few days of her ILL
ness.
"Sit down. Miss Warren" said May
you'll have to excuse the way the
house looks. Lula Belle can't do
everything. seems like"
81 had no idea you were sick or I'd
have come before" said Sally.
81 did try to send you word" said
May. But they said you'd gone off
to stay in Mr.. Morris's house. II seen
IN the paper you been having a big
wedding at your house, too'
my sister was married said Sally
Suddenly she was ashamed of the
lavish spending for the wedding.
ashamed of her own cool comfort at
the Morris house, in the face of so
much patience and such poverty.
Il bet the little girl was a pretty
sight in her wedding dress" saio May
81 made a wedding dress for a girl
just before was took sick. guess
] won't make no more soon"
''Yes. you will" said Sally. It must
be true. it had to be. that May would
get well again.
May shook her head. I'm old and
wore out" she said. They want to
cut me at the hospital. but I hate to
60 of and leave the kids with Lula
Belle. l hate to leave Mac. too. He
needs me-"
"Was it-about your going to the
hospital that you called Mr.. Pager"
asked Sally.
"No. honey. He can't do nothing
about that" said May. She looked
around nervously. although there was
no one in the room but herself and
Sally. my husband sent for him
Mac wants to see Mr.. Page"
"Mr. Page had to go out of town