The Best Medicine
Elaine Owen
“Similarity of opinion is not always—I think not often—needed for fullness and perfection of love.” - Chapter XXVIII, Ruth
John Thornton sat moodily in his office at Marlborough Mills. Last night had been the annual dinner he and his mother held for the most prominent families in Milton and, by most accounts, it had been a success.
The only downside had been his spark-filled conversation with Margaret Hale, the fiery daughter of Thornton’s tutor. Miss Hale made her opinion of Thornton and the other masters clear. She thought he was a monster who cared more about profits from his business than the well-being of his workers.
Thornton and Margaret held utterly opposing views of how to resolve the current disastrous strike taking place in Milton, where hundreds of families were facing starvation while the wage earners in the families refused to work.
The union leaders would not come to the bargaining table until the masters agreed to an unreasonable pay raise, while the masters refused to negotiate without some sign of sincerity on the union’s part.
The fastest way to solve the situation, according to Thornton, was to let the workers feel the result of their stubbornness.
When their little ones started to cry with hunger, the leaders of the strike would begin negotiating in good faith.
Margaret, however, was determined to give aid and comfort to the families of the strikers by delivering baskets of food to them.
Thornton had tried to convince her that her actions would only prolong the strike rather than stopping it, but that was not her concern.
She could not turn away from the suffering she saw all around her, and Thornton could not quite suppress a twinge of guilt when she urged him to think of the children.
Their difference of opinion would not have mattered to him, of course, had it been anyone but Margaret.
The rest of Milton could go to the devil, he thought.
Margaret’s opinion was the only one that mattered to him.
That was a shame, because her opinion of him was not favorable. And he had no idea how to change it.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. In response to his call, a slim man about his own age pushed the door open and cautiously peered inside.
Thornton had to think for a moment before the gentleman’s name came to him. Then he leaped to his feet and held out his hand in warm welcome. “Lawson, my friend! What a pleasure to see you again!”
“Good day, Thornton.” The newcomer gripped his hand firmly. “I always knew you’d run the world once you got out of school. And now here you are, the master of half of Milton!”
“You are mistaken, my friend. You were the one determined to change the world.”
“We were both ambitious fellows, but only you have succeeded in making your mark. I am still waiting to make mine.”
Thornton invited Lawson to sit and took a seat opposite, pouring a glass of brandy to welcome his unexpected guest.
The years had not changed Lawson much. He still had thick blond hair and classic features that ladies would probably consider handsome.
Lawson had been two years behind him in school, but their friendship was not affected by the age difference.
Thornton had finished school and gone straight into business, while Lawson had gone to London to study with a physician.
Over the years they had fallen out of touch.
“Are you back in Milton for good,” Thornton asked, swirling the brandy in his glass, “or is this simply a visit home?”
“I plan on staying here permanently. I am a doctor now, you see. I finished my training last year, and now I am opening a practice in Milton.”
Thornton raised a surprised eyebrow. “Congratulations. But why Milton? Can’t you make more money in town?”
“The need is greater here. Milton is in my blood, Thornton, and I decided that this is where I can make the most difference. I may never change the world, but I can at least change a small part of it.”
Thornton eyed the younger man respectfully. Lawson had always had a quietly noble, self-sacrificing quality, and it seemed his medical training had only enhanced that part of his character. “Very good of you, I’m sure.”
“I was hoping I might count you among my patients, once my practice is established.”
“I would like nothing better, but you know my constitution. I am never ill.”
Lawson was unruffled. “What about your family? Children are always coming down with something or other.”
“Thank you, but I am a bachelor, and my mother and sister are attached to their doctor.”
Now it was time for Lawson to raise an eyebrow. “Still unmarried? I wouldn’t have thought it. You could have had your pick of any woman in town.”
Any woman but one, Thornton thought. “I have been too busy to fall in love,” was his terse reply.
Lawson shrugged. “Well, perhaps you will keep me in mind when there’s an injury in your mill. I would be glad to be of service.”
“I will do that.” Injuries were common in cotton mills due to the heavy machinery all around. Having ready access to a doctor with the latest training could help Thornton’s workers recover from their injuries more quickly and would help his business be more profitable in the long run.
Lawson stood and took up his hat, preparing to leave; but as he did so, Thornton thought again of Margaret. She was a fierce advocate for anyone in distressing circumstances. Hadn’t she mentioned having a friend whose lungs had been damaged by the white cotton fluff that infested the cotton mills?
“Wait, Lawson,” he said, frowning as he tried to recall what Margaret had said. “There is one case I am aware of, a young woman you might examine. But I warn you, it is likely to be hopeless. She used to work in the mills and now she has the white fluff in her lungs.”
“The white fluff? I thought you masters put in blowing wheels to get rid of all that!”
“Most of us have. But this young lady had the misfortune of working for a less scrupulous master.”
“Hmm.” Lawson frowned thoughtfully, considering. “I will be glad to take a look. There are some new treatments I learned in town which may help her.”
Twenty minutes later Thornton, flanked by Lawson, stood on Crampton’s front step and lifted his hand to knock. But the door opened before he could complete the action.
“Mr. Thornton!” Margaret Hale stood in the open doorway wearing her hat and coat, an oversized wicker basket hanging on one arm. It was clear she was leaving the house on some errand. “I did not know you had a lesson with father today. If you will come inside, I will call him for you.”
Thornton shook his head, thinking how lovely she looked with the dark hat and coat framing her delicate features. “My business is with you, Miss Hale. I wish to introduce my friend Arthur Lawson to your acquaintance.”
Margaret looked surprised, but she accepted the introduction graciously. Thornton noted with pleasure that she shook hands in the Northern way, following the custom Thornton had shown her.
“Lawson is a friend of mine from school who just finished medical training in town. He wants to establish a practice in Milton, so I told him about your friend, Miss Higgins. He has expressed a willingness to examine her and see if he might be of some assistance. I wonder if you might be so good as to tell us where to find her.”
“Oh!” Margaret’s lovely green eyes opened wide in surprise as she looked up at Thornton.
For a moment, she floundered for words. She glanced uncertainly from him to Lawson and then back again.
“You are very thoughtful, Mr. Thornton, but I doubt if she will accept Mr. Lawson’s services.
Her father is not a wealthy man. There is no way for her family to afford a doctor. ”
“I will be happy to accept the bill on your friend’s behalf,” Thornton offered. From the corner of his eye he caught a quick look from Lawson.
Margaret’s face changed from surprise to delight, and then to suspicion. “Why would you do that?” she asked, her eyes flashing. “She is my friend, not yours. You do not even know her. And her father is one of those rabble-rousers you are so eager to starve into submission!”
“That is precisely why I wish to help, Miss Hale,” Thornton answered, using his best persuasive tone.
“Last night you accused me of being indifferent to the plight of the strikers and their families. Allow me the opportunity to prove you wrong.” Margaret still looked unsure.
“Come, Miss Hale, you must give me this chance.”
“Nicholas – Mr. Higgins – would not want to accept charity from you. He blames you and the other masters for causing the strike by not accepting their demands.”
“The masters would say much the same,” Thornton answered gravely, “except that we blame Higgins and the other union leaders for not negotiating to begin with. But surely we can set aside our differences in a good cause.”
Margaret hesitated, but she finally stepped out of the house and pulled the door shut behind her.
“I was just on my way to Princeton now to see Bessy. If you would like, you may accompany me.” As Thornton and Lawson fell in behind her, letting her lead the way, Margaret spoke over her shoulder.
“You may wish to keep your head down, Mr. Thornton, and try to not make your presence obvious. You are not a well-liked person in Princeton at this moment.”
“Bessy? I’ve brought someone to see you.”
Bessy struggled to push herself up in bed when she heard the gentle voice of her unlikely but most cherished friend, Margaret Hale. She had to stop halfway through the motion as a violent cough racked her body. “A visitor? Yo’ never said nothing ‘bout bringing a visitor here.”
“He is a doctor, Bessy. He is here to help you.” Bessy felt Margaret’s strong arm go around her shoulders, helping her to a sitting position.
“Don’t want no doctor. Can’t pay f’ one.” Another spasm of coughing prevented her from saying more.