The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-03
A Conscientious Architect
BY GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER.

carpenters and the stoheihdsohs ana the l bricklayers, the plasterers and the roof CTS and the plumbers, are all honest but you want to watch them. that's all Or else they'll gouge you. You've got a fine business but you'll have to stand around with a club to keep 1t. I notice by the way. that your "Decoration Hints for the Home" lectures are still the silk
 Yes, he admitted without batting an eye lash, T feel that am doing some thing to raise the Standard of Art in the Household; something to further the cause of Truth and Beauty!
 "I looked at him hard, but he never turned a hair. and I drew a sigh of re- lief. He meant it yet. l can't exactly say that approve of a spoken He, though I can excuse one because it's so handy and useful. But a man who lives lie can't slide down my cellar door
 "'And all these women,' I went on. Don't they sometimes-er-pall on you just leetle bit? Don't you ever come away from these gasp functions longing to kick stray dog or slap an orphan or something like that?
 "'They are a bit wearing he admit ted. wearily. You see, Judge. they mostly change their ieas of architectural and decorative beauty along about the | first of every month, and it's a little hard to keep track of them. They are splendidly enthusiastic, though he add ed, brlghtenng up bit,
 {" Exactly said l. I see 1t so often in my business. Feminine enthusiasm beats property squabbles by about two | lengths in getting to the courts. l T was about to treat Jimmy to a little ' fatherly talk when scent of heiotrope filled the room, a human bunch of violets 1 filled the doorway and I saw Jimmys | face light up like a Christmas tree. Well. she was pretty. I had to stop and remem- | Der my age.
 ",There's Beauty all right I solilo- quized as I waited for the elevator but don't see Truth lingering around in the hallway anywhere.
 T wasn't much surprised when one 1 day Jimmy bounced in on me with his | eyes pushing at the roots Of his hair for room to spread.
 1 "'What is it, J. Wesley 1 asked. 1 Money or women9'
 ".'Divorcer he gasped. "'The violet lady?'
 "'Yesl I'm ruined Her husband brought suit today! What, Oh what shall | doY
 "'Get your hair cut! I promptly ad- vised him. Let any jury see you with that head of hair, where there's woman | in the case, and they'll return a verdict | | Singly, men are a mighty tough lot but | you take twelve of them in a bunch and | they're painfully vrtuous, being espe- cally severe with men who use their | hair for bait
 But Judge walled Jimmy. T swear | the whole thing is a mistake. It was purely Platonic-' Patonc fiddlesticksr I retorted. | Come, come, J. Wesley, you ought to l. 4lot a,,1ty laf fO'u fnlra The divorce court was invented along about the same year I think ''He was red and silent for long time. It's all a pack of liesr he suddenly broke out. I've been living lie for two years and never realized it till now. All that High Art splash, all that Eternal Truth and Beauty rot "I felt sorry for Jimmy. You see his old conscience had got to work and there he was, probing himself like an amateur | surgeon after a Dum-dum bullet and hurting lot in the process. I thought it was good for him, so let him go home with the ache I didn't even tell him there was something real in his art after 1 all, after he got past the hysterical stage, | because I knew he had the genuine a-ti- cle in him bigger than horse and 1t ] couldn't be kiled--only chastened and l humbled bit.
 Well, I got him out of his divorce | scrape. Had a talk with the elderly hus- band and had him take Mrs. yiolets to Europe for a spell. When Jimmy came | around to thank me his hair was cropped l close and he wore a black Prince Albert. Going in for ecclesiastical architec- ture now? l inquired. | Jimmy blushed and admitted that he l was.
 " I thought so,' replied. Here's lit- tie present that will come in handy to seeker after Truth and Beauty and l handed him a queer little Chinese ring with an odd bit of jade set in 1t. This, said I. is q ring that was given me by an East Indian Buddhist who claimed oc- l cult powers, and he assured me that no man could lie while he wore this talis- man.
 Jimmy loked rather sheepish, but he | put 1t on and went away. It was nearly year before I saw him again, and then l l met him on the street. l asked how his work was going and he assured me 1 that his office not studio mind you, was l full of work. He was doing we'll only l those church committees
 Don't get mixed up on that proposi- 1 tion, l warned him. Just remember that l these fellows were men before they joined the church, and most of them are still men. And men will show a streak of the clay now and then, anywhere this side of the Pearly Gates. I see you are still wearing the Ring of Truth. He twirled it around his finger with 1 a litle embarrassment, but his eye was l still clean.
 1 "'Yes, and I'm trying to live up to it, l he assured me, but I find 1t mighty 1 hard
 "It was long time before saw Jimmy again, and then he tame into my office in a neat business suit. with springy step and a cheerful smile and a most cor shake.
 Hows J. Wesley, today?'' inquired.
 Jimmy, please he said with a little laugh. Jimmy will do for me-
 But why the campaign buttong asked, touching the gaudy badge on his lapel.
 "'That? he replied. Why, I'm out for Dan Sullivan and the whole ticket, tooth and toenail. I've quite bit of influence
 in my ward, you know, and Dan promises
 me that if the gang goes in I get the new courthouse. Why, man. If I pull that job
 there's cool twenty-five thousand in 1t for me, and extrasr
 ' 'Goodv said I shaking hands with him.
 I'll help along all I can. Your father did me many a good turn.
 When Jimmy went to go he reached
 in his vest pocket and drew out little package wrapped up in tissue paper
 Here's your ring said he. can't use it."