Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-15

yet recovered from his humiliation Mt
the loss of his influence over the men.
He was able to be present Mt the con-
ference on this occasion, owing to a
half holiday which the miners were
celebrating in one of the numerous
lodges.
81 don't understand this arrangement
here" said Andrew, who was examin-
ing the plans Of the hall, which lay
spread out on the table.
Stuart explained the particular point,
and then they all began to talk about |
the building.
"What is your exact idea about the
use Of the big hall?" asked Eric as he
pointed at the diagram marking the
place Of an immense auditorium.
II don't know that 1 have very many
exact ideas about any of the uses Of
the building except that I want it to
represent in general the great word
helpfulness. have thought of great
singers and players and lecturers who
could be induced to come up here Mt
moderate prices, understanding our OBJ
ject, and then pack the hall full of men
and women and children ut small
sum within their reach to pay. be-
lieve we could attract up here some
Of the best talent in music and speech
in, all the world and give the miners
Of Champion taste Of some of the
worlds best beauty. Then l would
have week or two of fine picture ex-
hibitions or fine art exhibits and SO on,
with, say, four times year q great
flower exhibit. am convert to your
idea, Eric, of music and flowers for
everybody. We could let Andrew here
have charge Of the flower show If he
would promise not to ruin US with
dollhouse extrayagances."
Andrew was so excited over the
thought that he got up and began to
pace the room.
my" he exclaimed. Gust think Of
a hall the size of that lined all the way
around with chrysanthemums or callas
or orchids! You'll allow me few or
chids, won't you, stuart?"
But, look herew cried Rhena. Don't
let Andrew spend all our money on or
chids the first thing, the extravagant
fellow! Think OF all the dollars it will
take to run these other departments,
Stuart. l have questioned some the
practicability Of all these rooms lead
ing out from the main hail."
why, you did the planning for them
yourself, little woman. What's the
matter with themY
1.-THE question I raise is how much
all these different things will really
help the people. Now, here, for In
stance, is the space we have left for
the Salvation Army hall. | admit 1t
looks beautiful on paper, and it will no
doubt look fine when 1t is done in wood
and stone, but will the army feel at
home in it7 VIII they be able in there
to reach the very people who now come
into the old hall?"
"Why, you critical soul, what do you
want us to do-make specimen army
hall like the old shanty we have al
ready and knock out a dozen panes of
glass and stuff miners hats and the
defunct remnants of old clothes into
the holes to make the place appear
homelike and attractive?"
There's good deal Of sense in what
your wife says, just the same" said
Andrew. IF the Salvation Army gets
to be too refined, 1t won't be the Saliva.
ton Army any more, and 1t won't dc
the army's work"
"Christ wore good clothes. didn't
her asked Eric bluntly.
Everybody was silent q minute. They
all knew what he meant. And still, II
the army stood for q distinct way OF
reaching humanity, who could tell what
the result might be IL that special way
was to be disturbed?
"Don't worry about that" Stuart
finally said, with much homely sense
in his thought Of the future. "If go
ing into a decent, well lighted, warm
ed and seated room is going to destroy
the army's usefulness, We'll turn 1t out
into the old barracks again. Rhena
and have discussed that good deal
It's the only thing we ever disagreed
over, and we don't really disagree
over that"
These kindergarten rooms on this
side Of the building are going to BIZ
modelsr cried Andrew with enthu
siasm. He had suggested these rooms
and had superintendent the plans ant
specifications.
THAT'S the right ideal" cried Eric
"I'm like the doctor in thinking goot
many of the older folks among us art
fools or numskulls. But in the chill
dren lies the hope of the entire labol
| question If they have the right start"
They were all bending over the tabl,
now, discussing the numerous features
Of the hall with Its almost bewilderint
multitude Of appliances. There wer
to be model reading room and II
brary; several rooms for social gather
ings and various amusements; bath
rooms and gymnasium; picture gal
lery; a room fitted up expressly for tn,
use of lantern and photography, ant
other rooms where classes could b,
gathered IL the time ever came whel
1t seemed wise to reach out with til,
helping hand farther than they saw
the way clear yet.
I There's one thing we haven't reck
oned upon much" said Eric almos
modify ut last. "What use can nj
. these people make Of the various new
things that you are going to give them
II, after all, they have to spend til,
bigger part of their lives, in the day
time at least, underground? And VIII,
, is going to say that all these fine thing
thrust into the mems minds will no
, produce discomfort that will result IL
time in greater misery than the condi
ton they are now IMP
j, "Why, you old pessimist, would yol
say to the human race, Don't smel
that flower today, because you know
!. you may not have any tomorrow ant
. that will make you discontentedT Be
cause mans life is devoid of all pleas
, ant things, shall we keep him in tina
condition, for fear he may grow dis
. cOntented by knowing something bet