one glass of milk

Once there was a poor boy who was selling goods fromdoor to door to pay his way through school. One day,he found he had only one thin dime left, and he wasvery hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at thenext house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovelyyoung woman opened the door. Instead of a meal heasked for a drink of water. She thought the boy lookedhungry so she brought him a large glass of milk.He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I oweyou, ma'am?" "You don't owe me anything," shereplied. "My Mother has taught us never to acceptpayment for a kindness." He said, "Then I thank you,ma'am, from the bottom of my heart." As that youngboy, Howard Kelly, left that house he not only feltstronger physically, but his faith in God and hisfellow man was also strong again. He had been readyto give up and quit, but a simple act of kindness hadrestored his faith.

Years went by, and that kind young woman becamecritically ill. The local doctors were baffled. Theyfinally sent her to the big city, where they called inspecialists to study her rare disease.A young doctor called Howard Kelly was called in forthe consultation. When he heard the name of the townthe young woman came from, a strange light filled hiseyes. He arose and went downthe hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in hisdoctor's gown he went in to see his patient. Herecognized the young woman at once. He went back tothe consultation room determined to do his best tosave her life. From that day he gave special attentionto the case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kellyrequested the business office to pass the final billto him for approval. He looked at it, then wrotesomething on the edge of it, and the bill was sent tothe lady's room. She feared to open it, for she wassure it would take the rest of her life to pay for itall. Finally she looked at it, the total amount wasstaggering; her eyes filled with tears of despair,when something caught her attention on the side of thebill. She read these scrawled words..... "Paid infull, with one glass of milk." (Signed) Dr. HowardKelly. Now tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happyheart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love hasspread abroad through human hearts and hands."