by D M Barrett
“It’s time to talk to the Wrights,” Dr. Whitman said as he opened the storeroom door.
* **
Preacher Mann and Doctor Whitman walked in the examination room where Jack and Frankie Wright were waiting. They looked like two condemned prisoners awaiting the gallows.
“Now I need to talk to you about handling my funeral, preacher,” Frankie Wright said.
“Have you been caught having some shots of moonshine with Ned Kelly’s boy?” Preacher Mann asked.
“What’s this about the Kelly boy?” Jack Wright said expressing a definite interest.
“When he’d finished his patrol shift, he stopped by the house to help me wash some porch furniture,” she responded.
“Why’d he have any business at my house? Why was he there alone with you? What were you doing sharing moonshine with him?” Jack Wright asked insistently.
“The preacher told him that I needed a little help, and he agreed to stop by after his patrol was over. The only refreshments were had were two glasses of fresh-squeezed lemonade,” Frankie Wright stated.
“What’s your explanation for your conduct in this matter, preacher?” Jack Wright said accusingly.
“Deputy Tom Kelly is the newest member of Community Church. I gave him an opportunity to help another member in need. The scripture says: As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” Preacher Mann replied.
“What was that part about moonshine?” Jack Wright asked.
“He said that to show you what I went through when that drink gossip article came out about you and the Lewis girl having a weekly drink at the store,” Frankie Wright said with a chuckle.
“It was one of those sideways sermonettes that I get about twice a month,” Jack Wright said with a sigh.
“Now that that’s resolved, I’ve got Preacher Mann here to discuss Miss Frankie’s treatment options,” Dr. Whitman explained.
“It is my understanding that you have been told that Miss Frankie has contagious TB; that’ll she’ll be sent to a sanatorium, or rest home; and that she’ll probably be there permanently,” the preacher stated.
“That hits the nail on the head. You’ve got to call down one of those miracles of yours, preacher,” Jack Wright replied.
“Those miracles are from the Lord and mostly based upon a person’s faith and obedience,” Preacher Mann reminded.
“Do you have anything like when Moses said, ‘Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord?’” Frankie Wright asked.
“The water isn’t parting yet but Dr. Whitman, Joe Scott, and Nurse Bilbrey have arrived at a plan that I am convinced the Lord supports. He will explain it to you,” the preacher said.
“Put simply, a fellow in Scotland has discovered a drug that kills certain types of bacteria. It’s called penicillin. It has never been tried on the TB bacteria,” Dr. Whitman explained before being interrupted by Jack Wright.
“Hell, let Joe Scott make it up and let’s try it!” Jack Wright exclaimed.
“It’s not that simple. The drug sometimes causes sores, scarring, and stops patients from breathing. It could cure, but it could kill. It is very experimental with respect to application, dosage, length of treatment, etc.,” Dr. Whitman continued.
“I’ll take the risk. It’s my only option to beat this TB and stay with my family,” Frankie Wright said tearfully.
“What do we need to do?” Jack Wright pleaded.
“From this point on, consider these remarks as coming from Lawyer Mann and not Preacher Mann. We need to have both of you sign detailed papers giving Dr. Whitman, Joe Scott, and Nurse Bilbrey your consent for them to treat you. The paperwork says that you realize the treatment could be ineffective or lead to serious injury or death. You must read it carefully, ask any questions you have, and get them signed and notarized by Drusilla at Harriman Bank,” Thomas Mann said.
“Give us the papers,” Jack Wright said.
“I want the treatment regardless of the risks,” Frankie Wright stated emphatically.
“Also, you need to consult one of the lawyers in Cookeville,” the preacher said.
“We don’t need the advice of a lawyer. We know what we want to do and we know the risks,” Jack Wright stated.
“I suggest that you get a will written and otherwise set your affairs in order. It’s likely that you will not survive the treatment. We just don’t know,” Preacher Mann said.
“I got good folks handling my medical care and treatment. I’ve got a man of God praying for my recovery and my life. You bring those papers tomorrow and I’ll sign them,” Frankie Wright replied.
“I’ll get Joe Scott started immediately. We’ll start your first treatment tomorrow. You can spend the night here. My guess is that you’ll need to be isolated in this exam room for about ten days to two weeks,” Dr. Whitman said.
“I’ll be back tomorrow morning with the papers. I’ll have Drusilla watch you affix your signatures but keep a safe distance,” Preacher Mann said as he and Dr. Whitman left the exam room for the front of the apothecary.
“That was a pretty harsh comment about the wills,” Dr. Whitman remarked.
“When it comes to informed consent, it’s not the time to candy-coat anything. That woman could die and her husband’s life could be impacted forever,” the preacher stated as he walked out the apothecary shop’s door.
“How’d it go?” Nurse Bilbrey asked in Joe Scott’s presence.
“If I ever need a preacher or a lawyer I’ll call him, but I’m not cut out to be either,” Dr. Whitman opined.
“He’s definitely sui generis,” Joe Scott remarked.
“I’m marrying him because he is ‘one of a kind,’” Nurse Bilbrey responded.
* **
Before the Harriman Bank opened, Drusilla Hickman brought the consent and release paperwork to the Wrights at Dr. Whitman’s office. Joe Scott had prepared a batch of the penicillin. Dr. Whitman reviewed his notes and tests and authorized Nurse Bilbrey to give a certain amount of the drug intravenously.
“Why is it going into my veins and not down my throat?” Frankie Wright asked teasingly.
“He wants to make sure you can still yell at him if it doesn’t work or you get a case of the penicillin itch,” Preacher Mann said as he walked into the treatment room.
“Ignore that man. He’s an excellent preacher and a lawyer but he needs to leave the treatment to the medical personnel,” Nurse Bilbrey retorted.
“Based upon Dr. Fleming’s reports, penicillin introduced into the veins permits us to give higher doses that work more quickly against the bacteria,” Dr. Whitman said as he stood beside the preacher.
“If there is any problem, when do you expect it to happen?” Preacher Mann asked.
“According to what’s been written, it’s from the first dose to as late as the third or fourth treatment day. Afterward, there have been no observed difficulties or adverse reactions,” Dr. Whitman responded.
“What do we need to do?” Jack Wright asked.
“You need to help customers at Discount Grocery. I need to tend the Lord’s flock,” the preacher recommended.
“Isn’t there something else we can do?” Jack Wright asked.
“Let the qualified medical professionals tend your wife and the rest of the sick folks that need help today,” Nurse Bilbrey stated.
“I can’t wait till you’re married to her. You’ll get straightened out quickly,” Jack Wright opined.
“No doubt,” the preacher said under his breath.
* **
After a week of Frankie Wright’s treatment, the preacher’s study time was interrupted by pounding on the meetinghouse door. It was Jack Wright and he was frantic.
“Dr. Whitman said to grab you and get down to his office immediately,” Jack Wright said.
“Did he say something was wrong?” Preacher Mann asked.
“He was really excited and said get there immediately,” Jack
Wright reiterated.
“Jump in my truck. I’ll drive us there. You’re too excited to drive,” the preacher instructed.
Jack Wright flung open the apothecary door with the preacher in tow. They were greeted by the smiling faces of Nurse Bilbrey, Joe Scott, and Dr. Marcus Whitman.
“Come back to Joe Scott’s lab. I want you to look into the microscope,” Dr. Whitman urged.
Joe Scott placed a slide under the microscope and motioned for the preacher and Jack Wright to take turns looking through the microscope eyepiece at the slide. Next, Joe Scott placed a second slide underneath the microscope for their observation.
“Do you see any difference in those two slides? Dr. Whitman inquired.
“There’s a lot less of those little cigar-shaped things in that second slide,” Jack Wright said.
“The penicillin is working. It’s killing the tuberculosis virus!” the preacher exclaimed.
“That’s right. We’re going for three more days and review a third slide. It appears that she will be cured. We have no way of knowing whether the treatment will result in immunity in the future. We’ll keep a monthly watch on her for a while. But, she’s stuck in Ferguson for the foreseeable future,” Dr. Whitman said.
“Does she know?” the preacher asked.
“Not yet. She’s still sleeping. I wanted you both to be here when I tell her the good news,” Dr. Whitman stated.
“You mean tell her about the miracle?” Jack Wright asked.
“It was a miracle treatment, a miracle drug, and a miraculous result,” Dr. Whitman replied.
“Preacher, is that a miracle?” Joe Scott asked.
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God,” Preacher Mann said quoting from the scriptures.
They all immediately said, “Amen!”
6.
The Foundling
The preacher had risen early to bathe, groom, and finish his studies early in the day. He had made plans with Nurse Bilbrey to have a leisurely breakfast at Miss Rosie’s to discuss their marital plans.
While in deep thought about the upcoming Sunday sermon, the preacher thought he heard a light knock on the meetinghouse door. He stopped his reading and listened carefully. He heard nothing and continued his reading and notetaking.
In just another minute or two, he heard a louder knocking on the front door. He stood up and made his way to the front of the church.
Preacher Mann looked around the churchyard. Just before he closed the door he heard what sounded like the happy noise that infants often make. He looked down and saw a baby wrapped in a pale blue blanket that had been placed in a corrugated box at the door of the church.
The preacher lifted the baby out of the box and held it in his arms. The baby stared at the preacher and gave him a smile.
Suddenly, a voice said, “I’m here!”
It was SheMammy Martin with his sewing bag in his hand and a tape measure around his neck. He was in his usual chipper mood.
“What are you doing here at this hour?” the preacher said still clutching the baby.
“Nurse Bilbrey asked me to be at Community Church early today. Where is she?” SheMammy asked.
“She’s probably still asleep at this hour,” the preacher remarked.
SheMammy looked to the front left of the church auditorium and noticed that the door to the preacher’s sleeping room was closed. He flashed a large smile.
“Just let her sleep. I can wait at Discount Grocery,” SheMammy remarked.
“Grab that box. We’re taking this baby to Jack Wright’s and calling Dr. Whitman,” the preacher instructed.
“I haven’t seen Nurse Bilbrey in several months. I had no idea that she was pregnant,” SheMammy said.
“She’s not pregnant,” Preacher Mann stated emphatically.
“Obviously, the bun is out of the oven now,” SheMammy said with a chuckle.
The preacher made a slight growling noise. He nodded his head toward the box and started walking toward Discount Grocery. SheMammy Martin quickly grabbed the box, closed the church door behind him, and walked briskly to catch up with the preacher.
“Did Dr. Whitman deliver that baby?” SheMammy inquired.
“No, the stork brought him!” the preacher barked.
When the two men entered Discount Grocery with the baby, Jack Wright said, “Where’d that baby come from?”
“He said the stork delivered it,” SheMammy replied.
Knowing that Nurse Bilbrey and the preacher had planned to meet for breakfast at Miss Rosie’s, Jack Wright asked, “Where’s Nurse Bilbrey?”
Before Preacher Mann could respond, SheMammy said, “She’s still in bed at the church.”
“Don’t say that so loudly. Louis Barrett may walk in and that scandal would be front-page news for The Mountain Gazette,” Jack Wright cautioned.
“We’re not married yet,” the preacher said with a slight irritation in his voice.
“Looks like they’ve been playing house,” SheMammy remarked.
“No, we have not,” the preacher said with an increased amount of irritability.
“Well, that baby didn’t just appear out of thin air?” Jack Wright said with a raised eyebrow.
Nurse Bilbrey walked into Discount Grocery, noticed the preacher holding the baby, and asked, “Where did that baby come from?”
“He said that the stork brought it,” SheMammy replied.
“We thought it belonged to you and the preacher since the two have been sleeping together,” Jack Wright remarked.
“Who said we’ve been sleeping together?” Nurse Bilbrey asked as her face reddened.
“We came over here because the preacher told me you were sleeping late over at the church,” SheMammy answered.
“Tom Mann, did you tell Clayton Martin we were sharing a bed together last night? I demand an answer!” Nurse Bilbrey shouted.
“He said you told him to meet you early at the meetinghouse. He asked your whereabouts. Since it was very early, I suggested you might have overslept. Apparently, he saw the sleeping room door closed and drew that conclusion,” the preacher explained.
Nurse Bilbrey began to calm down and said, “My next question is: Where did you get that baby?”
“I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door. The baby was in a cardboard box wrapped in a blanket,” the preacher said.
“A stork brought it,” Jack Wright said as he and SheMammy burst into laughter.
“Thomas Mann, you should have discussed starting a family with me before we ended up with a baby.” Nurse Bilbrey said abruptly.
“I’m not touching that one,” Jack Wright said.
“Me either,” SheMammy responded.
“Listen, this baby was abandoned at the church door this morning. We’re going to Scott’s Apothecary to Dr. Whitman’s office and let him examine this child,” Preacher Mann instructed.
“I brought Clayton Martin here to measure me for my wedding dress. He’s headed to Lebanon to do business with Henry Wooden. They’re going to New York City for meetings with the people at Woolworth’s,” Nurse Bilbrey lamented.
“You’re driving us to the doctor’s office. I’m holding this baby because it seems at ease with me. SheMammy has his measuring tape and sewing bag. He’s coming with us,” the preacher replied calmly.
“I generally take measurements in private. That’s a very public place,” Mr. Martin replied.
“You can measure her in Joe Scott’s storeroom. They were in there together last week,” Jack Wright stated.
“Well, isn’t that naughty,” SheMammy said with a huge smile on his face.
“Dr. Whitman was in there with us,” the preacher said.
SheMammy covered his ears with his hands. He walked out the front door and waited at the county Public Health car.
“Don’t ever mention that Joe Scott was in storeroom, too,” Nurse Bilbrey said as she rolled her eyes.
* **
“Well, where did that l
ittle bundle of joy come from?” Joe Scott asked as they entered the apothecary.
“The stork delivered it this morning,” SheMammy said enthusiastically.
“Here we go again,” Nurse Bilbrey said.
“SheMammy, the only thing that is restraining me from choking you is the fact that I’m holding this baby,” Preacher Mann said rather loudly.
“Sounds like I arrived just in time to prevent some serious bodily injury,” Dr. Marcus Whitman remarked.
“SheMammy, we need no kibitzing. Keep quiet,” Nurse Bilbrey instructed firmly.
“Someone left this infant in a box outside the church door this morning. I haven’t a clue about its parents. I need you to check it over, and then we can decide our next steps,” Preacher Mann explained.
“Beth, do you want to help me examine this child?” Dr. Whitman inquired.
“We’re going into that storeroom and I’m going to measure her for a wedding dress,” SheMammy explained.
“You’re going to do it in that storeroom?” Dr. Whitman asked with a puzzled look.
“I heard you’ve spent a little time in that storeroom yourself last year,” the preacher announced.
SheMammy covered his ears, walked toward the storeroom, and said, “I’ve got to come to Ferguson more often. I’m leading a sheltered life up on Brotherton Mountain.”
The preacher handed the baby to Dr. Whitman. He was met by his nurse, Anna Mae Crowder Whitman, who took the baby to an examination room. The physician followed her.
“Preacher, what . . .” before he could complete his question, Joe Scott was abruptly interrupted.
“I have been accused, misquoted, interrogated, and otherwise subjected to torment before breakfast this morning by SheMammy, Jack Wright, and Nurse Bilbrey. It would be a good time for us to drink a cup of coffee and avoid any conversation for now,” Preacher Mann said.
“I’ll put a lot of sugar in that coffee. May it’ll sweeten you up some,” Joe Scott said as he walked toward the snack bar and coffee pot.
“Indeed,” the preacher snarled.