The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-06-12


!: Divided between these two inclina-
tons, she gazed at Julia now. The
shining eyes Of the deacon's daughter
conquered, and she launched forth into
an eager description Of how she had
just seen a "wonde'ful striped ana
mule" with ''pow'ful long neck walk
right out Of the tent" and how he had
'come apart afore her very eyes" and
two men had slipped fright out Of his
insides." Mandy was SO carried away
by her own eloquence and SO busy
showing Julia the sights beyond the
window that she did not hear Miss
Perkins, the thin Tipped spinster, who
entered, followed by the Widow VIII
loughby, dragging her seven-year-old
son Willie by the hand.
The women were protesting because
their choir practice Of what Shall the
Harvest Be?" had been interrupted by
the unrequested accompaniment Of the
"hoochee coochee" from the nearby cir.
Gus band.
"It's scandalous!" Miss Perkins snap.
ped. "Scandalous! And somebody
ought to stop it, She glanced about
with an unmistakable air Of grievance
at the closed doors, feeling that the
pastor was undoubtedly behind one of
them when he ought to be out taking
action against the things that her soul
abominated.
"Well, Pm sure I've done all that I
could" piped the widow. with meek,
martyred air. She was always mar.
tyred. She considered it an appropri.
ate attitude for a widow. "He can't
blame me If the choir is out Of key to:
morrow"
'tMercy mel" interrupted the spinster
IF there isn't Julia Strong a-leanina
right out of that window a-looking at
the circus, and her pa a deacon of the
church, and this the house Of the pas
tor! It's shocking! l must go to, her"
ma, let me see, too" begged Willie
as he tugged at his mothers skirts. :.
Mrs. Willoughby hesftated. Miss
Perkins was certainly taking a long
while for her argument with Julia.
The glow from the red powder outside
the window was positively alarming.
Dear me" she said. II wonder If
there can be a fire." And with this
pretext for investigation she, too,
joined the little group at the window.
A few moments later, when Douglas
entered for fresh supply of paper,
the backs Of the company were to-
ward him. He crossed to the study
table without disturbing his visitors
and smiled to himself at the eager
way in which they were hanging out
Of the window.
Douglas was a sturdy young man Of
eight and twenty. frank and boyish in
manner, confident and light hearted in
spirit. He had seemed too young to
the deacons when he was appointed to
their church, and his keen enjoyment
Of outdoor games and other healthful
sports robbed him Of certain dignity
in their eyes. Some Of the women OF
the congregation had been inclined to
side with the deacons, for it hurt their
vanity that the pastor found so many
other interests when he might have
been sitting in dark, stuffy rooms dis
cussing theology with them. but Doug
las had been either unconscious Of or
Indifferent to their resentment and
had gone on his way with CHEEKY nod
and an uncomfortable conviction: of
right that had only left them founder
ing. He intended to-; quit the room
now unnoticed, but was unfortunate
enough to upset chair as he turned
from the table. This brought chorus
OF EXPLANATIONS from the women, who,
chattering, rushed quickly toward him.
what do you think of my naughty
boy, Willie?" simpered the widow
He dragged me quite to the window"
Douglas: glanced amusedly first at
i the five foot six widow and then at
the helpless red haired urch1n by her
side, but he made no comment beyond
Offering chair to each Of the women
Our. choir practice had to be entire
~ discontinued" declared Miss Per
kins sourly as she accepted the prof
fered chair. adjusted her skirts for q
stay and glanced defantly at the par
son, who had dutifully seated himself
near the table. =.:&.':@..
| Il am sure have as true an ear as
anybody" whimpered the widow, with
an Injured air. But defy any one
to lead What Shall the Harvest Be?'
to an accompaniment like that She
jerked her hand in the direction Of the
window. The band was again playing
the "hoochee coochee." 5:Iss. ~
| Never mind about the choir prac.
tice," said Douglas. with a smile. III
is soul. not skill. that our congregation
needs in its music. AS for that music
out there, it is not without its ,compen.
sations. Why, the small boys would
rather hear that band than the finest
church organ in the world 2 y. s:*s=. 81
And the small boys would rather
see the circus than to hear you preach
most likely. = snapped Miss Perkins
i was adding insult to injury for hin
TO try to console her.
''Of course they would, and IS would