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general store and read it. He came to the part where she turned down his proposal. I have no right to expect more than this, but I had hoped for more. He picked up the letter, and reread it. The wording had not changed. She would not be coming to Montana.
He walked down the street to the Christian Church and found Jackson wiping down the seats in the pews. “Jack, can we talk for a few minutes?” he asked.
“Sure,” Jack said. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve told you about the loneliness I feel. My next-door neighbor back in Rockville lost her husband in the war. She took care of my Lucy, in my absence. She held her hand when Lucy passed, and then she arranged for the funeral, believing I had been killed. After I came home, she encouraged me to practice medicine again. When I decided to rent my house, she rented a room to me, and also office space. She assisted in some of the surgeries. Not having a doctor’s detachment, she was devastated when we lost a woman and a baby in one night.
“She tried to talk me out of leaving, but understood that I had to. We’ve been corresponding the past two and one-half years. I asked her to consider moving here and marrying me. I received her answer this morning. She turned me down. I haven’t seen her in such a long time, but through our letters, I have come to care for her. I really hoped she would marry me. Everyone loves Elizabeth, and I do too. She would have fit in here. She has the kind of spirit the people here possess. What do I do, Jack?”
Seeing his friend and parishioner in such distress affected Jack. “I wouldn’t give up if I were you. Did she offer any reason?”
“No, just circumstances had changed since I left, and it was impractical to leave.”
“That does not say she didn’t want to marry you. It says impractical. I’ve learned in my ministry, problems perceived by folks often turn out not to be problems after all. Write her back asking for more details. Ask why? If that doesn’t work, go back there and see for yourself. You have legitimate interests there to justify the trip.”
“Thanks, Jack. It’s good advice.” He shook his friend’s hand and went home and to work. He saw the last patient of the day, and sat down to compose a letter to Elizabeth.
My Dear Elizabeth,
I received your reply to my proposal with great disappointment. When you say circumstances have changed, are you addressing financial circumstances? It certainly in none of my business, but if I can help, I will.
Have you found someone you care for? If you are not promised to another, I believe we can resolve any problems you might have, other than a lack of interest in my proposal. If that is the case, please tell me and I shall not push myself at you anymore.
This letter is of necessity, short. You have indicated a wish to continue a correspondence, but topics are limited. I have no news at this point.
The Indians are quiet at present, but present an ongoing threat. I continue to attend to church regularly unless I am with a patient. I have developed a deepening friendship with Reverend Owens and his wife. I continue to be friends with the storekeeper but to a lesser degree. I think I can have a friendship with Case and Carrie Jamison too.
I wait with great anticipation, your next letter. I will be disappointed, if there is not one.
Sincerely,
Carter
He put the letter in the mail the same day. He turned his attention to his work while he waited for an answer.
Chapter 1 4: Another Rejection
The letter began…
My Dear Carter,
I have your latest letter in hand. It pains me to have caused you distress. I assure you my intentions lay in the opposite direction.
I have no relationship with another, and my concerns are not financial, though my situation is tight; but for reasons I do not
He walked down the street to the Christian Church and found Jackson wiping down the seats in the pews. “Jack, can we talk for a few minutes?” he asked.
“Sure,” Jack said. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve told you about the loneliness I feel. My next-door neighbor back in Rockville lost her husband in the war. She took care of my Lucy, in my absence. She held her hand when Lucy passed, and then she arranged for the funeral, believing I had been killed. After I came home, she encouraged me to practice medicine again. When I decided to rent my house, she rented a room to me, and also office space. She assisted in some of the surgeries. Not having a doctor’s detachment, she was devastated when we lost a woman and a baby in one night.
“She tried to talk me out of leaving, but understood that I had to. We’ve been corresponding the past two and one-half years. I asked her to consider moving here and marrying me. I received her answer this morning. She turned me down. I haven’t seen her in such a long time, but through our letters, I have come to care for her. I really hoped she would marry me. Everyone loves Elizabeth, and I do too. She would have fit in here. She has the kind of spirit the people here possess. What do I do, Jack?”
Seeing his friend and parishioner in such distress affected Jack. “I wouldn’t give up if I were you. Did she offer any reason?”
“No, just circumstances had changed since I left, and it was impractical to leave.”
“That does not say she didn’t want to marry you. It says impractical. I’ve learned in my ministry, problems perceived by folks often turn out not to be problems after all. Write her back asking for more details. Ask why? If that doesn’t work, go back there and see for yourself. You have legitimate interests there to justify the trip.”
“Thanks, Jack. It’s good advice.” He shook his friend’s hand and went home and to work. He saw the last patient of the day, and sat down to compose a letter to Elizabeth.
My Dear Elizabeth,
I received your reply to my proposal with great disappointment. When you say circumstances have changed, are you addressing financial circumstances? It certainly in none of my business, but if I can help, I will.
Have you found someone you care for? If you are not promised to another, I believe we can resolve any problems you might have, other than a lack of interest in my proposal. If that is the case, please tell me and I shall not push myself at you anymore.
This letter is of necessity, short. You have indicated a wish to continue a correspondence, but topics are limited. I have no news at this point.
The Indians are quiet at present, but present an ongoing threat. I continue to attend to church regularly unless I am with a patient. I have developed a deepening friendship with Reverend Owens and his wife. I continue to be friends with the storekeeper but to a lesser degree. I think I can have a friendship with Case and Carrie Jamison too.
I wait with great anticipation, your next letter. I will be disappointed, if there is not one.
Sincerely,
Carter
He put the letter in the mail the same day. He turned his attention to his work while he waited for an answer.
Chapter 1 4: Another Rejection
The letter began…
My Dear Carter,
I have your latest letter in hand. It pains me to have caused you distress. I assure you my intentions lay in the opposite direction.
I have no relationship with another, and my concerns are not financial, though my situation is tight; but for reasons I do not
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