A Good Turn Deserves Another
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way
through school found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He
decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his
nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked
for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a
glass of milk. He drank slowly and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything", she replied. "Mother has taught us never to
accept pay for kindness". He said...."Then thank you from my heart". As
Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his
faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Years later, that young woman became critically ill. The local doctor was
baffled. They finally sent her to the big city where they called in a
specialist to study her rear disease. Doctor Howard Kelly was called in for
the consultation. When he heard the name of the town where she came from, a
strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall
of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his Doctor's gown, he went in to
see her. He recognized her face at once. He went back to the consultation
room determined to do all he can to save her life. From that day, he gave
special attention to that case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly asked the business
office to pass the bill to him for approval. He looked at it and then wrote
something on the edge and the bill was sent to the woman to her room. She
feared to open it for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay
for it all. Finally, she looked and something caught her attention on the
side of the bill. She read these words.....
"Paid in full with one glass of milk"
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.