KINDNESS LEAVES LASTING IMPRESSION FOR VISITORS

Salley Layton wondered why her actions last week generated such attention. When someone needs help, you just help, she said.

But Layton's consideration struck a note with Barbara T. Baker of Milan, Tenn. Baker and her husband were visiting Cape Girardeau, helping their daughter, Betsy, find an apartment. Betsy will be attending Southeast Missouri State University.

"After spending the better part of two days looking at properties, we were exhausted, and as a diversion decided to look in a couple of stores that seemed interesting," Baker said.

They went to Layton's store, Shades `N More, 213 S. Plaza Way.

Layton recalled that the family was just browsing. "I said, `If you need anything let me know,'" she said.

As layton turned to walk to the counter, she noticed that Betsy was shaking and looking like she might faint.

"Being the mother of a daughter that ate, I stepped right in," Layton said. She got a chair and a cool cloth and a drink of water.

"I started talking to her to help her calm down," Layton said. "I told her, `You'll like Cape. It's a real nice friendly town.'"

The family stayed about an hour, until Betsy was feeling better. As they were preparing to leave, Layton asked for the family's address and phone number and said she would call if she heard of an apartment.

That evening, Layton was discussing the incident with her husband, Charles. They wondered if the girl might have had low blood sugar. "I have hard candy in the store, but I didn't want to giver her that, in case she fainted," Layton said. "We decided to buy some candy sticks to keep in the store in case something like this ever happened again."

As Layton and her husband talked, she began to worry about Betsy and decided to go ahead and call the Bakers, just to check. Betsy was fine.

Baker again was impressed by Layton's concern. "How fortunate for us to have been in her place of business," Baker said. "Her actions truly endeared your city and citizens to us in a very special way."

A few days later, Layton received a box from Kate's Candy Kitchen. No note, just a box of candy sticks.

The Bakers have also sent letters to the Chamber of Commerce and the newspaper to tell of Layton's good deed.

But Layton wonders about all the fuss. "I have a daughter about the same age. She lives in Chicago. I would hope someone would do the same thing for her," she said.