Saga of the Sanpitch Volume 13, 1981 - Sanpete County

enjoyed not only the meal, but also the association with John's family. The four girls had worked hard all
morning preparing for this young man, and they appeared at the table looking their best in spite of the
cleaning and cooking which had involved them most of the morning. Magnola (Noly) sat across the table from
Doctor. She was quiet, gentle, and pleasant. Clara teased, while Blanch and Vera, the kid of the family, flirted
openly with the young man.
Before the meal was over there was a quiet rap at the door, and a nervous young man asked if he
could see the doctor. When Doctor went to the door, the young man begged him to come and see his son who
had been ill for a long time, and the family doctor had admitted he simply could not find what the trouble was.
So Doctor visited his first patient in Manti. Then came other patients, and without really making a decision he
found himself involved in the health of this small town, in this family with whom he was living, with the young
people who were John's and Noly's friends. He talked of moving on but everyone begged him to stay. After a
week he said that if he were to stay longer he would have to make some other living arrangements. He could
not "sponge" on his new friends any longer, but the entire family insisted that they wanted him to remain with
them, so it was arranged that he would stay, but only if he paid as he would any place. So all was arranged
and the parents were pleased and amused at the change in the girls as they vied for Doctor's attention. Their
manners as well as dress improved, but it soon became obvious that Doctor was interested in one, Noly, and
she simply seemed never to be at her best. She was self-conscious, blushed, and often left the room in
embarrassment when she felt she was competing for the attention of the young man for whom she felt such
an attraction.
The romance blossomed. Doctor's practice grew. Noly became more bold. She began to torment
Doctor about how he really looked behind all that dark hair on his face. They laughed and were finally
at ease with one another. Then one night when the young people were all going to a dance, Doctor said,
"John, would you bring Noly to the dance? I have a call to make first and will meet you ' as soon as I can." So it
was arranged.
When John and Noly arrived at the dance a tall dark haired young man approached them. It was queer;
he looked so familiar, still—. It was not until he took Noly's arm and said that he claimed the first dance that
she realized that the well-dressed clean-shaven, handsome young man was Doctor, and she knew what she
had suspected ever since the day he moved in with John, that she was hopelessly in love. That night their
future was settled. George's long trek west had ended. Manti was his home, Noly was his wife, the people of
Manti were his patients and friends for the rest of his life.
Source: Author heard all parts of this story often as Noly, Doctor and John talked and laughed and remembered.
THE BISHOP'S WATERMELON PATCH
Carolyn Cook Christenson
Box 356
Gunnison, Utah 84634
Non-Professional Division, Second Place Short Story
Andrew ran across the newly reaped wheat field. It felt dry and prickly on his well-conditioned bare
feet. Sweat dripped down his face. It was then he realized where they were and stopped short. "Hey, Chris! I
know where we can find a fine watermelon patch," he said as he pulled up the one strap which held up his
worn trousers.
"Andrew! That would be stealing," said Chris, forming his lips into a frown.
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