A Life Worth Living

by Irene Brand

  Before she had more time to think about such a far-fetched idea, the pastor started his sermon. “In order to observe the birth of the Christ Child as we should, it’s important that we look into the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. For years prophets and kings had foretold the coming of the Messiah without any sign of the promised one. Years passed, and most of the faithful ones who had looked for the Messiah had almost lost hope.

  “When the time did come, God chose a young girl through whom His magnificent plan would be revealed. Isaiah’s prophecy in the ninth chapter of the book by his name was very plain as to the purpose. ‘For unto us a child is born, unto a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.’ ”

  Trying to figure out what this really meant, Dora missed some of the pastor’s sermon, but focused again when he said, “In obedience, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem and found no lodging except in a stable where Jesus Christ was born. The news of this birth spread quickly when angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds, who went immediately to Bethlehem and found Jesus, the Son of God, lying in a manger. The shepherds spread this wonderful news to everyone they met—telling what had happened and the message the angels revealed to them. All who heard it were amazed to learn that God had come to earth in the body of a baby.

  “Several months later, others came to worship the Christ Child. In their studies of the stars and universe, wise men from eastern lands had seen the unusual star and knew it could mean only one thing—a king had been born! Although they didn’t know it, this was a king whose reign would be forever.

  “The Hebrew people had waited for centuries for the promised one, never expecting that He would arrive in such a humble way. They expected a king robed in royal splendor. Jesus came as a servant. He was born in a stable. They had also believed that the whole world would exalt the Christ Child, yet he was rejected by many because his birth didn’t meet their expectations.”

  The enlightening sermon continued. Occasionally someone would cough or a baby whimpered, but other-wise the congregation’s attention was focused on the message. Although it was a new message to her, Dora figured that most of the people had often heard the story, but apparently the “old” message became a “new” message each Christmas Eve.

  “There was something miraculous about the angels’ visit to the shepherds that night,” the pastor continued. “The glory of the Lord shone around them, and it was a night the shepherds weren’t likely to forget.”

  The audience stood for the closing hymn, which started, “It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold.”

  No one was using a hymnal, but the minister led the congregation from the pulpit as they sang several verses of the song. Dora hummed the melody, and her inner self was warmed by the message and the fellowship of these dedicated people. After the benediction, no one seemed in any hurry to go home. Allen held Dora’s hand and led her through the crowd, introducing her to numerous people, whose names she didn’t even try to remember. It had been a long day, and she was thankful when Allen finally left the building and they headed toward Sunrise Manor.

  ❧

  Christmas had always been a commercial event for Dora, and she was more in the Christmas spirit this year than she’d ever been. She’d spent enormous amounts of money to buy gifts for the servants, her father, and friends. She had given a bonus to the workers, and she’d bought a watch for Allen, hoping that he’d never realize how much she paid for it. When he told her who would be at the Boldens’ for Christmas, she had gone into Asheville and purchased gifts for the family.

  They returned to the Bolden home before the family did, and she gave Allen the watch while they were alone. He was obviously pleased.

  “I have a gift for you, too,” he said. “But it’s at the farm, and you’ll have to wait a few days before you can claim it.”

  “Are you going to tell me what it is?”

  “Sure, if you want to know. I’m giving you one of my horses. I have six or seven good riding horses—you can take your pick of any of them. Any time you want to ride when I’m not available, you can go to the farm. Timothy is usually there, so he can help you with the saddle. You may want to take your rides close to the farm buildings for the time being.”

  “Oh, thank you. I’ve never owned a horse, although I took riding lessons at stables outside the city.” She touched his hand, hoping that he would respond. When he turned away, she asked, “Why do you want me to stay close to the farmstead?”

  “I don’t think we’ve heard the last of Ted Morgan. He hates both of us—probably me more than he does you. He’s the kind who would mistreat you to get even with me. I don’t like for you to be alone at all, as long as he’s still hanging around.”

  “So that’s the reason you brought me to visit the Boldens!”

  “Partly,” he said, adding sheepishly, “but I didn’t want to go half a week without seeing you either.”

  eleven

  On the return trip to Fairfield, Dora seemed quieter than usual. Allen, preoccupied with thoughts of the coming year and projects they had contracted for at the mill, wasn’t talkative either. After they’d traveled a long distance, Dora said, “I have an idea.”

  Allen feigned a groan and covered his eyes with his left hand. “If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard you say that in the past year, I’d be a millionaire, too.”

  Obviously annoyed, Dora said, “Allen! I’ve been thinking about this for two or three months, and I want your opinion.”

  “All right. No more joking. I haven’t disappointed you yet, have I?”

  “Only in one very important situation.”

  Knowing very well what she meant, he answered, “All right. If it isn’t anything of a personal nature, but has the interest of the mill at stake, I’ll not disappoint you this time either.”

  “Do you know how many of our mill employees can’t even write their names? When they sign a receipt for their salaries, all they can do is make an X. It’s incredible.”

  “Incredible, I’ll grant you, but not unusual. Very few adults in this state have had an opportunity to get much schooling, but I don’t know what you can do about it. I think it will take a statewide election to bring education to everyone.”

  “Where did you learn to read and write?” she asked.

  “On the Bolden plantation where my father worked. Vance’s father provided education for his workers, black and white alike.”

  “I know a retired teacher, Lester Holdredge, in New York, who would probably welcome the opportunity to spend some time here in the mountains. You met him on your first visit to my home.”

  With a grimace, Allen answered, “I remember him very well. I thought you were probably engaged to him, and I felt as if I’d been kicked in the stomach by a mule when I walked into your apartment and saw him. I’d been looking forward to seeing you so much, I thought the train would never get to New York, and when I got to your apartment, you were with another man.”

  She made a face at him. “Oh really! He’s old enough to be my father. I’ve known him since I was a child. In fact, his wife used to take me home with them. One of my earliest memories was when Lester used to dangle me on his knee. He’s much older than I am, and we don’t have much in common. He’s my father’s friend, not mine.”

  “Maybe so, but it still upset me. Even though you’d hugged me, I was still angry. Back then I didn’t trust you very much. I know better now.”

  “Let’s forget that. My point is, L
ester is a retired schoolteacher and a widower without any children. He was educated in New York’s finest colleges, and he could have had most any position he wanted. Instead, he chose to teach in elementary schools. His wife was a teacher, too, and they went into slum districts and taught children who would never have had an education otherwise. After his wife died a few years ago, he’s been very lonely. I’m sure he would gladly come here to teach these men, and he’d pay his own expenses. What do you think?”

  “Sounds like a great idea to me. Many of the women haven’t had any schooling either.”

  “Who would I contact to get permission?”

  “I’m not sure, but since these are adults, I don’t know that it would be necessary to get permission from the board of education. Why don’t you talk to Reverend Spencer about it and go from there? Since you’re willing to give the men time off from work to go to school, it wouldn’t be a matter you would have to take up with the mayor. However, it might be wise to have the town sponsor the school—and you could provide any necessary money.”

  “Is there a vacant building we could use?”

  “Several of them.”

  Dora seemed to be seriously considering the situation. “Should I discuss this with the mayor or other town officials before I do anything else?”

  “I don’t know that would be necessary. If you think your friend will come without charge, it isn’t a project that will cost the town any money, unless you want the city government to pay for the books.”

  “No, there wouldn’t be any charge. If Lester agrees to come, I’m sure he will provide the books. So you think it’s a good idea?”

  “I’m not paid to think,” he said with a mischievous grin. “As usual, you make the decisions, and I do what you tell me to do.”

  Frowning, she cuffed him on the shoulder. “You always make it sound as if I’m ordering you around. I’ve tried to get you to take the initiative, and you won’t do it.”

  “I’m a better follower than a leader. You have the brains in this business.”

  “Ha!” she said sarcastically. “You like to make me think I’m the boss, but I notice that I usually end up doing what you want me to.”

  “I will make one suggestion, or maybe two,” Allen said. “It might be well for you to talk to the workers about this project before you send for the teacher. Also, you would probably have to give them time off from work to take the classes because most of them have chores at home after they leave the mill. That would cut into the mill’s profit.”

  “I’ll give it some thought and come up with a schedule before I talk to them. I can’t imagine what it would be like to not be able to read and write.”

  Although Allen tried his best to hide his love for Dora, sometimes his emotions took over, and he couldn’t treat her in the offhand attitude he usually maintained. He stopped the horses, tied the reins to the side of the buggy, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

  “You’re a pretty special person, do you know that? I’ll venture to say that there isn’t another woman in this country with the wealth you have who would have the interest in a group of uneducated, poor people like you do. After I’ve seen how you live in New York and know your background, it amazes me.”

  Her eyes were full of such love and tenderness that it made his heart ache with loneliness. She clung to him, and knowing that she really did love him, Allen hugged her to him in an emotion too deep for words. He almost proposed to her on the spot, but pride intervened again. He kissed her forehead, released her, and continued the journey to Fairfield.

  ❧

  Once she’d conceived an idea and Allen had approved it, Dora wasn’t one to postpone a project. She composed a letter to Lester Holdredge.

  Dear Lester:

  Help! We have a need in Fairfield that I believe you can fill. The local schools are adequate for the education of children, but I have learned that many of the male employees in our textile mill can neither read nor write. Would you be willing to come to North Carolina and work with these men? Allen says that I should determine how many of the men would be interested in going to school before you come, but even if we can only help educate a few of them, it will be worthwhile. I wanted to learn if you agreed before I mention it locally.

  Please don’t mention this to Father, but I’ll admit that I’ve invested almost all of my capital in the mill, so we couldn’t pay you much. If you are interested, you will need to bring textbooks. And remember, you’ll be teaching illiterate adults. Even if we help only two or three men, it will be worth it.

  Sincerely,

  Dora

  Two weeks later, she received a telegram from Lester.

  Bored stiff. Will arrive in two weeks. No salary needed or wanted.

  By the time Lester arrived, Allen and Dora had rented a one-story house where Lester could live and teach school. One room was large enough for a classroom, and Allen borrowed several desks from the local high school to furnish the room. Only three men agreed to attend the school, but that was a beginning and enough to encourage Dora. On the opening day of school, when Dora slipped quietly into the classroom and heard grown men haltingly reading, “Baby Ray had a dog. Baby Ray had a cat,” her reward was complete.

  twelve

  Ringing bells disturbed Allen’s sleep, and he bolted out of bed and rushed to the window that faced Fairfield. An occasional streak of fire burst into the air, and he pinpointed the fire near the textile mill. Timothy rushed out of the other bedroom.

  “That fire’s pretty close, huh?” he said.

  “Too close! With the rain we had last week, we aren’t in danger of grass fires, so there must be a building on fire in Fairfield.” Allen pulled on his pants and shrugged into his shirt as he talked. “I’m going to see what’s up. I suppose I have a suspicious nature, but I’ve been expecting trouble.”

  “From Ted Morgan?”

  Allen nodded his head. Running into his bedroom, Timothy said, “Wait until I put on some clothes, and I’ll go with you. Every hand will be needed if it’s a big fire. You don’t suppose it’s the textile mill, do you?”

  “I hope not, but if not, it’s close to the mill,” Allen said, his main concern for Dora. Buildings could be replaced, but nothing could compensate for losing her.

  By the time Timothy was dressed, Allen had saddled two horses. Timothy straddled one, and Allen swung into the other saddle. Side by side they raced the horses toward town. When they reached Fairfield, a bucket brigade was already working to contain the blazing fire in a machine shop connected to the textile mill by a short, covered walkway. Allen and Timothy had brought buckets with them, and they positioned themselves at the end of the line, dipped water from the creek, and passed it to the men in front of them. They worked steadily, and Allen was impressed by the silence among the people. Intent on their work, the men didn’t talk. Children and women stood to one side, some with heads bowed obviously praying while others stared in shocked dismay at the flaming building. As he worked, Allen looked intently at the bystanders, but he couldn’t see Dora anywhere.

  Still carrying the bucket, he ran toward the women. “Do any of you know where Miss Porter is?”

  Several of them shook their heads, but one woman said, “She was here soon after the fire was discovered, and she went to look for Kitty. She cleans the buildings before the other workers arrive, and Miss Porter was afraid she might still be inside.”

  Nodding his thanks, Allen ran toward the flaming building. Kitty was leaning against a giant pine tree, tears streaking her face as she watched the destruction.

  “Have you seen Dora?” Allen shouted above the racket of the fire and shouting workers.

  “Not since she pulled me out of the building,” Kitty said. “She wanted to know who else was inside. I didn’t know, so she may have gone to see if anybody else was in the building.”

  “Oh dear God, help,�
�� Allen prayed as he darted toward the flames.

  “Come back! Come back!” someone shouted. “The roof is about ready to collapse.”

  Heedless of the warning, Allen tied his handkerchief over his mouth and nose and darted into the thick smoke. “Dora! Dora!” he shouted over and over. “Where are you?”

  “Here! Here!” He heard her beloved voice and headed in that direction.

  “Keep calling until I find you!” he shouted. In spite of the flames, he couldn’t see anything. His eyes were stinging from the smoke, but he groped in the darkness trying to determine where she was.

  “Allen! Allen!” she cried frantically. “A log has fallen on my leg, and I can’t move.”

  “I can’t see anything, my love, so keep calling until I find you.”

  Allen stumbled in the darkness and fell to his knees more than once. The last time he fell, he crawled on hands and knees following her voice. Reaching her at last, he pushed the log aside and scooped Dora up in his arms. Running as fast as he could, he headed toward the front of the building and plunged through the door to safety. It was none too soon either. As he stumbled toward the road, where many citizens of Fairfield stood staring incredulously as the source of their livelihood was destroyed by flames, the roof of the building collapsed. Smoke and flames soared upward as Allen collapsed on the ground and pulled Dora into his arms.

  “Are you hurt?” he questioned weakly. “Do you have any burns?”

  “I don’t think so,” Dora said. She leaned back in his arms. “A log or board of some kind fell on my leg, but I’m not in pain so I can’t be hurt very much.”

  “Let’s get married right away,” he said, tears running down his face.

  Allen hadn’t cried since he was a boy, and he didn’t know if the smoke or his fear of losing Dora had caused the tears, but he cast his pride aside. Still clasping her in his arms as if he would never let go, he continued, “In those few minutes when I thought I’d lost you, I realized that nothing matters except my love for you. I don’t care if you’re as rich as that Croesus fellow, I want to marry you and the sooner the better.”