A FAMILY PARTY
by John O'Hara
An interlude for John O'Hara in a life story capsuled in the address by the principal speaker at a testimonial dinner and Albert Shoemaker gives a straightforward account of the personality and achievements of Dr. Samuel Merritt which have brought out the people of Lyons, Pa., to honor him. The speech is unrehearsed, unpolished and unexpected for, after telling of Sam's boyhood and early years, his forty years of unselfish service as doctor and friend to the whole community, his hobbies and unstinting helpfulness, Shoemaker reveals the truth about Sam's dream of a local hospital and is plainspoken about Sam's wife, now in a mental institution. He heals the old hurt with donations to establish a maternity ward in the name of Sam's wife at the hospital Sam didn't get. A long short story that typifies many a small town doctor should have a welcoming audience.