West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-04-22


10 go on"
er an jes' about everything to that
little one. she wasn't much blgger'n
a handful OF peanuts when we begun
a-worryin' about her"
We'll. Mandy will do the worrying
now." Douglas laughed. "She's been
dying for chance 20 mother some.
body all along. Why, she even tried
II on me-"
II noticed rs how some OF those
'church people seemed to look kinder
queer ut me-" said Toby, IAN been
a-wonderin' II mebbe they might feel
the same about her"
"Oh. they're all rlghtw Douglas as.
sures him. They'll be her friends In
no time"
shes at for 'em. sir" Toby plead.
ed. Shes good. clean into the mid
die Of her heart"
"Pm sure OF It," Douglas answered.
I've heard how some church folks
feels towards us circus people, sir,
an 1 jes' wanted you TO know that
there amt finer families or better
mothers or fathers or grandfathers or
any NhlH
us. Why, that girls mother rode the
horses afore her. an her mother afore
that. an her grandmother an grand
father afore that, an there amt no.
body what's cared more for their good
name an their children's good name
AN her people has. You see. sir. cir
Gus folks Is all like that. They's Jes'
like one big family. They tends to
their business an takes good care OF
theirselves. They has TO or they
couldn't do their work. It's cause I'm
leayin' her with You that I'm sayin'
all this" the old man apologized
I'm glad yOu told me. Toby" Doug
las answered kindly. 'I've never
known much about circus folks"
II guess I'd better lie goin'." Toby
faltered as his eyes roved hungriiy to-
ward the stairway.
iii send you our route. an mebbe
you'll be lettin' us know how she is"
Indeed. WILL" Douglas assured
him heartily.
You might tell her wen write ever
day or So" he added.
'I'll tell her" Dougins promised ear
nestly.
Good night" The old man hesitat-
ed. unwilling 10 60 but unable to find
further preteXt for staying
Good night. Toby" Douglas ex-
tended his hand toward the bent figure
that was about to shuttle past him.
The withered hand Of the white faced
clown rested In the strong grasp OF the
pastor. and his pale little eyes sought
the face Of the stalwart man before
him. A numb desolation was growing
in his heart. The object for which he
had gone on day by day was being left
behind. and he must stumble forth
into the night alone.
"Its hard 20 leave her." he mum
bled but the show has got TO 20 on"
The door shut out the bent. old flg.
ure. Douglas stood for some time
where Toby had left him. still think
ing Of his prophetic words. His rev
erie was broken by the sounds Of the
departing wagons. the low muttered
curses Of the drivers. the shriekinR
and roaring Of the animals. as the cir
Gus train moved up the distant hill.
'"The show has got TO go on" he re-
pented as he crossed TO his study table
and seated himself for work IN the
dim light Of the old fashioned lamp
He put out one hand TO draw the
sheets OF his interrupted sermon to-
ward him, but instead st fell upon a
small sailor hat. lie twisted the hat
absentiy IN his fingers, not yet realiz-
ing the new order Of things that was
coming into his life. MANDY tiptoed
softly down the stairs. She placed one
pudgy forefnger on her lips and rolled
her large eyes skyward. Dat sure
am an angel chile straight from heb.
ben" she whispered. "she done got a
face jes' like a little flower"
straight from heaven" Douglas re-
peated az she crossed softly to the Ia
bic and picked up the satcbei and coat.
you can leave the lamp, Mandy. ]
must finish tomoTrow's sermon"
She turned az the threshold and
shook her head rather sadly as she
saw the imprint Of the days cares on
the young pastors face.
"Yo' mus be pow'ful tired" she
said.
'No. no; not at all Good night.
Mandy"
She closed the door behind her, aud
Douglas was alone He gazed absent.
" at the pages Of his unaished ser