Christy (Part One)
The Great Smokies . . .
Nothing in my life had prepared me for the wonder of those mountains - smoke blue and serene folded one behind the other. I counted eleven ranges rising up toward the vault of the sky. I didn't realize it then but from the very first moment I saw them the mountains were a source of peace and strength to me - always there to quiet my mind and satisfy my heart."
From Asheville to El Pano . . .
As the train slowly chugs its way toward El Pano, Christy sketches a portrait of the conductor as he gathers the passenger's tickets and remembers how she came to volunteer for the position of school teacher in Cutter Gap. Christy is amazed that her parents let her go to a backwoods school but teaching at a mission sounded so safe and Miss Alice spoke at their church with such love of her highlanders. Christy knew before the hymn was done that she would volunteer for Miss Alice Henderson's mission and that her parents would be against it. But through all their pleas and arguments she never wavered. Christy turns the pages in her sketchbook to a portrait of her mother and father. That morning, as Christy prepared to leave on her journey, the look of love in her mother's eyes and the way her father held her hand as she prepared to board the train made her heart skip a beat. Christy's reminiscings are interrupted by the conductor's announcement that El Pano is the train's next stop. She watches her last link to home disappear down the track as she stands in the pouring rain on the station platform in El Pano. Picking up her bag, Christy marches to the blacksmith shop where she introduces herself to the blacksmith and asks for his assistance on how she might get to Cutter Gap. The man points to Ben Pentland and explains that he takes the mail up to the cove and might be able to help. Christy is thrilled to learn that Mr. Pentland will be traveling to Cutter Gap as soon as he finishes putting on his shoes and asks about renting a horse to accompany him there. Ben informs Christy that it would be impossible for an animal to make it to the cove in this weather and explains that he's making the seven-mile journey on foot. Christy hesitates at the thought of walking such a long distance but finally asks to walk with him. At first Ben refuses to let Christy accompany him with the excuse that it wouldn't be fitting for a female to travel with the United States Mail. Christy begs and pleads and finally Ben allows her to make the journey with him to Cutter Gap . . .
. . . to the Spencer Cabin . . .
As they start walking toward Cutter Gap, Christy quickly falls behind, hampered by her long skirts and suitcase. Ben stops and waits for Christy to catch up and offers to carry her case. Christy strikes up a conversation with the personable postman, asking about the number of families who live in the cove. She soon learns that the crop most of the families raise is "youngun's" and that David Grantland, the cove's new minister, is single. When Mr. Pentland tells her that the "piled-up mail" is six whole letters, Christy has to wonder what kind of place Cutter Gap really is. As they reach the Spencer's place, Mr. Pentland gives a rather loud hello and explains that around Cutter Gap, you either warn your neighbor's of your presence or take a chance of be greeted with the barrel of a rifle. Christy turns to reply and slips down the side of the mountain into the Spencer's back yard. Ben rushes down the incline to see if Christy is hurt but fortunately only her pride is damaged. Ben introduces Christy to Jeb Spencer who in turn introduces her to "his woman" and his five children. The introductions are interrupted by the arrival of Tom Allen who has been struck on the head by a large poplar tree. When a man arrives on horseback, Ben whispers to Christy that he's Dr. MacNeill, the only doctor around for fifty miles. As Neil bends to examine Bob, he gives Christy a piercing look before asking the group of people what happened. Ault Allen looks accusingly at Christy and tells Neil that Bob was on his way to "fetch the new schoolteacher in El Pano." As Bob is being carried inside the Spencer cabin, Christy expresses her feelings of guilt at the thought of being the cause of the man's accident. Ben points out that Bob's accident may not have been an accident as there is a feud going on between the Allen and Taylor family. Mary, Bob's wife, arrives and asks the doctor if the injury is a "mortalizing wound." Dr. MacNeill explains to Mrs. Allen that her husband is in a coma, a deep sleep, and will require a rather risky operation to stop the bleeding inside his head. Ault, Bob's brother, is against the procedure and says that Bob's life is in God's hand. Mary urges Neil to try the operation as she's got six children to provide for. Ault grudgingly nods his approval. While Fairlight boils some water to sterilize the surgical instruments, Neil begins to shave the area of Bob's head where he will drill a hole. Neil is furious when the Spencer's youngest son touches one of his instruments and instructs Fairlight to take her son outside. He tells the rest of the crowd to stand back and to refrain from crying and wailing. Mary brushes past Christy and swings an axe into the floor close to where Bob is laying on the makeshift operating table and ties a string around his wrist. Neil thanks Mary for her help and asks Jeb to take Mrs. Allen outside until the operation is finished. Christy tries to leave as well but Neil singles her out from the bystanders to help in the operation. The smell of ether and the thought of what Dr. MacNeill was going to do with the scalpel in his hand was too much for Christy to bear. When Neil sees that Christy is on the verge of fainting he orders her to leave and Christy stumbles outside and draws deep breaths of fresh air to revive herself. As Christy watches Fairlight gather her children around her and sing a song to comfort them, she notes that Mrs. Spencer seems more like a highland princess rather than a poor woman stuck in the back of beyond . . .
. . . to Cutter Gap
As darkness falls, Christy dozes on the porch outside the Spencer cabin. Mr. Pentland gently shakes her awake to tell her that the operation is over and that they can continue their journey to the mission. Christy hesitantly asks the mailman about Mr. Allen's condition and Ben assures her that the man has a fighting chance if he doesn't start bleeding again. When asked about Mrs. Allen's strange actions earlier, Mr. Pentland explains that Mary tied a string around her husband's wrist to keep him close to her and swung the axe to cut the pain. Amidst thunder, lightening and pouring rain, Christy and Ben make their way through the woods to the welcoming light of the mission. The day's events have taken their toll on Christy and upon arriving at the mission, she collapses in David Grantland's arms . . .
An Uplifting Sight
The next morning Christy awakens and looks around her bedroom, a little confused by her surroundings. She climbs out of bed and opens the doors to her balcony to display the majestic peaks of the mountains in the background. Christy smiles as she surveys the wondrous sight . . .
Introducing Ida
Christy ventures outside and sees a young girl holding a wash basket who quickly scampers off before Christy can speak with her. She pauses a moment to watch David, who is adding the finishing touches to the church. Ida, David's sister, follows Christy gaze and comments on her brother's many talents outside of the ministry. When Christy asks about the whereabouts of the school, Ida informs her that the church and school are in the same building. Ida points out that her brother has done most of the work on the building himself as the mountain people are unreliable where work is concerned. As she puts the last item of clothing from the line into the basket, Ida tells Christy that David asked her to keep house for him. Christy apologizes for inconveniencing Miss Grantland but Ida says nothing except that Miss Alice would like to speak with Miss Huddleston as soon as possible . . .
Those Marvelous Mountains
As Christy walks across the open field, the breathtaking view of the mountains fills her heart with joy and she can't help but turn a few cartwheels along the way. Miss Alice watches from afar and smiles at Christy's youthful zest for life. Christy is mortified when she realizes that she has an audience but Miss Alice smiles and warmly welcomes her to Cutter Gap . . .
Joyful Advice
As they stroll along, Christy comments on the poverty that exists within the beauty of the mountains. Miss Alice explains that the highlander's God is stern and punishing and they believe that He means their lives to be hard and filled with sorrow. When asked, Christy tells Miss Alice that the reason she came to Cutter Gap was to teach. Further probing by Alice causes Christy to recall that she told Miss Henderson that she wanted her life to count for more than getting married and having babies. Christy explains that her life in Asheville was so useless, with its teas and dress fittings, compared with teaching and making a difference in someone's life. Miss Alice notes that Christy sounds as if she's been reading too much poetry. She advises Christy that while poetry has its uses, it cannot prepare her for life in the mountains. When Miss Alice asks Christy if she's certain that she's strong enough for the task, Christy shakes her head and admits that she's not sure but assures Alice that she will try. Alice commends Christy on her honesty and determination and hands her a colorful leaf. She advises Christy to hold on to joy as she will certainly need it . . .
The First Day
On the first day of school, Christy emerges from the mission wearing a brand new pair of high-heeled pointed-toe shoes. Trying not to let David see how nervous she is, she takes his arm and steps down into the mud. Christy is ashamed for her vanity when she sees the group of children outside the school, most of whom are wearing no shoes at all. As she climbs the school steps, little Burl comes up to her to "swap howdies." Christy smiles and happily shakes the hand of her new friend. As Christy takes Little Burl's hand, David nods at the other children and they race up the steps and inside the schoolhouse. While David introduces Christy to the children, Christy stares at the numerous faces and wonders how she will manage to teach twelve grades with six classes a day. She observes that some of the children are as young as five while others are as old as she is and that many of the children are sleepy, having risen before dawn to arrive at school on time. Christy thanks David for his kind words and gives him permission to leave. David hesitates, unwilling to leave Christy on her own, especially with Lundy Taylor present in the classroom. When Christy assures David that she'll be fine, he quickly explains about the Taylor and Allen feud and points out that none of the Allen children have ever been to school before with the Taylor's. Christy stomach sinks as she watches David's reassuring figure disappear out of sight. Ruby Mae points out Christy's nervousness to Zady while Lundy decides to welcome Christy by tripping her with his foot. Christy takes a deep breath, orders Lundy to remove his foot from the aisle, and nominates Ruby Mae to help her take the role. While she's trying to explain the meaning of "home address" to Sam Houston, Christy becomes distracted by a horrible smell, which she hopes doesn't belong to one of the children. After sniffing around the room for a moment, Christy follows the odor to a trap door in the floor, beneath which resides a group of pigs. After quickly shutting the door, Christy resumes her role call with Mountie, whom she discovers cannot speak. Creed Allen introduces Christy to his guest, his pet raccoon Scalawag. Christy is not thrilled to make the animal's acquaintance and makes a deal with Creed so that he'll leave his pet at home . . .
L.T. (Lundy Taylor or Loads of Trouble)
During recess, as Christy watches the children play, she wonders how she is going to do an adequate job with only five textbooks with torn and missing pages and no paper to write on. Her thoughts are interrupted by a scream from Mountie and Christy rushes outside to hear the taunts of Lundy Taylor. Christy examines the little girl and discovers a large bump on her head caused by a thrown rock covered in rags. Christy looks accusingly at Lundy who says nothing . . .
First Day Frustrations
After the first day of school is over, Christy pours out her frustrations to Miss Alice who listens patiently. Christy is unable to divide the school into grades because the girls "won't sit next to no boy." The children's grammar is awful but Christy hates the thought of losing the traditional way that the highlanders speak. The children have trouble concentrating because they are hungry and tired and they insist on being taught Latin when what they really need are just the basic subjects. And the pigs are so loud that they drown out her words. With a sigh, Christy looks outside and admits that she doesn't know what to do about Lundy. She tells Miss Alice that David explained about the feud between the Taylors and Allens and wonders if that is the reason for Lundy's treatment of Mountie O'Teale. Miss Alice assures Christy that the Taylors generally get along with the O'Teales and that Lundy probably hit Mountie as a challenge to Christy . . .
An Unforgettable Little Girl
That night, Christy sits alone in her room upstairs in the mission and sketches a picture of Mountie O'Teale. Compassion wells up inside Christy for the little girl who can only speak pathetic words, is teased unmercifully by the older boys, and who never laughs or smiles. Christy wonders what the little girl's home life must be like . . .
God's Will
The next day, Christy pays a visit to the O'Teale cabin and is greeted by the dirty, worn faces of the children. While Christy says hello to Mountie, Becky runs to tell her mother of the teacher's arrival. Swannie O'Teale is thrilled to see Christy and invites Miss Huddleston inside her cabin. The smell inside is overwhelming and Christy is glad when Ms. O'Teale leaves the door open. When Christy asks Swannie why her youngest daughter doesn't talk, Ms. O'Teale isn't sure and admits that she doesn't have time to reflect on her daughter's problem. When Christy asks Swannie if she wants Mountie to talk, Ms. O'Teale tells her that her husband doesn't like a lot of fussing about female children and that if God wants her to talk, he will enable her to. Christy pushes the issue and tells Ms. O'Teale that together they could find a way to help Mountie. Swannie interrupts Miss Huddleston's speech and tells her that they must let the Lord take care of Mountie . . .
Welcome To The Real World
Upon returning to the mission, Christy bathes her face in cold water to wash away the horrible memory of her visit. She informs Miss Alice that she doesn't belong in Cutter Gap and that she's returning to Asheville. Miss Alice tells Christy that she's glad that she had this experience as now she can decide to stay based on the truth about what life is really like in Cutter Gap. When Christy wonders if the life Miss Henderson speaks of is what she saw at the O'Teale cabin, Alice points out that every human life has a dark side. She tells Christy that the Quakers believe in seeking the light and that the light is God. The light will not come to Christy unless she opens her eyes to the pain and suffering around her. As she is leaving, Alice asks Christy who she really is and if she came to Cutter Gap to serve and work or to run away from home . . .
Soul Searching
Christy reflects upon Miss Alice's words and admits to herself that perhaps she was running away from home for fun and adventure when she first came to Cutter Gap. Now, she realizes that God has another purpose in mind for her and tells Him that she is here to stay, if HE can use her . . .
Dreams of Grandeur
As Christy arrives at the schoolhouse, the children lovingly crowd around her. Christy goes over to Mountie and rescues her from the menacing glare of Lundy Taylor and assures the little girl that she is worthwhile. Inside, Christy listens to the children's recitation on what they want to be when they grow up. Zady expresses her desire for a fine house and several pairs of shoes; John Spencer dreams of becoming a writer; Ruby Mae wants to smell nice and have lots of nice clothes; Vincent dreams of traveling far beyond the cove and obtaining a good job; and Lundy wishes for nothing more than to have Christy as his woman. Christy is embarrassed by Lundy's words and orders the young man to rewrite his essay . . .
"M" is for Mountie
During recess for lunch, Christy prepares the afternoon lessons while Lundy sulks at the back of the room and rewrites his essay. He brings the finished piece over to Christy's desk and leans close to her while she comments on his atrocious spelling. She assures Lundy that he could do good work if he tried and dismisses him to eat his lunch. Lundy abruptly tells Miss Huddleston that he doesn't have any food to eat and storms out of the school, teasing Mountie on his way out. Christy beckons the little girl to come closer and lifts her up on her lap. Christy fingers her pathetic coat with its one stray button and reflects how starved for affection the little girl must be. She opens her primer and begins to read the alphabet to Mountie . . .