Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-07

course, meant that he and Andrew, 1 Eric and Rhena and the doctor, togeth- l CT with other good people in the town, had given a vast amount of thought to l the plans and purposes of the building. l At the same time Stuart was beginning 1 the foundations of his own home down in the town. The Hall of Humanity stood on one side of the square nearly l opposite St. Johns church. Stuart had owned several small buildings there | and had torn them down to make room for the new building. His own house was to be near by.
 A few days after Stuart's return Eric and Andrew had come up at StuartS request and with him and Hhena were sitting in the library at the Duncan mansion discussing the plans that were now beginning to take visi- ble shape. Erie had gone back into the mines with the other men and seemed to be passing through an ex- perience of bitterness. He had not yet recovered from his humiliation at the loss of his influence over the men. He was able to be present at the con- ference on this occasion, owing to q half holiday which the miners were celebrating in one of the numerous lodges.
 T 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 l1 l>ol LN,,;, h 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. 1 have thought of great singers and players and lecturers who could be induced ts come up here at moderate prices. understanding our ob ject, and then pack the hall full of men and women and children at a small sum within their reach to pay. l 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 a taste of some of the worlds best beauty. Then I would have q week or two of fine picture ex- hiDitiCns or fine art exhibits and so on, with, say, four times year great flower exhibit. I am q 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 premise not to ruin us with hothouse eXtrava gances."
 Andrew was so excited over the thought that he got up and began to pace the room.
 My" he exclaimed. "Just think of 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 herev cried Rkena. 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. I have questioned some the practicability of all these rooms lead ing out from the main hall.'
 Why, you did the planning for them yourself, little woman. Whats the matter with them?''
 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. 1 admit it looks beautiful on+paper, and it will no 1 doubt look fine when it is done in wood and stone. but will the army feel at hoLle in it? Will 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-lnake a specimen army | hall like the old shanty we have al- | ready and knock out q 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 Sttractive?'
 There's good deal of sense in what your wife says, just the same" said Andrew eff the Salvation Army gets to be too refined, it won't be the Salva- tion Army any more, and it won't do | the ar1ny's work"
 "Christ wore good clothes, didn't he:'' asked Eric bluntly
 Everybody was silent minute. They all knew what he meant. And still, if the army stood for distinct way of reaching humanity, who could tell what the result might De if 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 decent, well lighted. warm
 ed and seated room is going to destroy
 the armys usefulness, we'll turn it out
 into the old barracks again. Rhena