The daily Alaskan., 1909-08-23
.BARBARA'S DONATION
The Best of All That Was Offered
 to the Minister.
ny ELIzAeErA VAN NEsr.


 If the young minister had been of a sanguine, easily satisfied temperament he might have accommodated himself to circumstances and drIfted along as his predecessors had done, But James Morgan brought the enterprise of q modern theologian to the little hamlet, struggling down either side of a high hill, on a summit of which perched the church, like a snow temple.
 As the church occupied the center of the village, the young minister reason ed that 1t ought to be the center of interest also. But, try as he would, he could not awaken the devotional spirit. His parlshioners were, niggardly in their offerings, the attendance was small and interest slight. Ills sermons were lost on the slow thinking wor- shlpers; his musical departures were failure.
 But the Rev. Mir. Morgan did not despair, He had the square jaw that accompanies the aggressive nature. The elasticity of his hopes was phe- nomenal He simply would not be discouraged. He had accepted the call in full knowledge of the drawbacks. The score of shabby houses classed under the name of Mayhood repre- sented only tithe of the church mem- bership. It was the prosperous farm CTS whose indifference he must change and conquer with his eloquence.
 So James Morgan brought to May hood large stock of air castle mate rial with which he begulled his leisure. He would institute many reforms. The church should escape from an envelop- ing mortgage and, assuming q paying basis. make many missions glad from It's plenty. It should be the handspring, social and ecclesiastical, on which the village turned. He even proposed that the parsonage be let and the proceeds devoted to the county hos pital, a proposal that met with unani- nous approval, and the minister took up his residence under Widow Elem inS's roof.
 Until the end of the first quarter things moved smoothly. The new min- siSter found work to do wherever he looked. And, being generous, he for got to be cautious when need pulled at his purse strings. Hardly realizing 1t, he at length found his generosity must be governed by his means until he received his first quarters salary. But at the end Of the second quarter the GrSt quarters salary was still un- paid. With board bill two weeks in dellnq.sncy the minister, blushing and stammct!ng. informed his parlshioners of their negligence.
 While their prOfuse excuses satisfied him, he could not see his way clear to satisfy Mrs. Fleming. The fact that wheat was failure would not recom- pense her for his board and lodging. Therefore the Rev. MT. Morgan did the unly thing possible from his point of s,ew. He went to the city next day wtih mysterious package. Shortly aft,r the doctor drove three miles to borrow his microscope and was in- formed that he had disposed of 1t.
 'I heve so little time for expert ments, Sou know" he explained, with heightened color. "I could use the money to better advantage"
 From this emanated rumor that at length reachsd Barbara Deans ears. The new min.Hter was so philanthropic he had given pp his pet hobby to aid the poor.
 A wee and tinaid question mark set itself upon her heart Perhaps she had been nasty. There was none quite like hlm-so big. so firm, so brave. It was very singular that he had not asked agaln-he who in theory scorned de- feat. Pretty Barbara did not know that the hope crushed by her laughing was the only inelastic one in his stock Of dreams.
 As the third quarter drew to close without remuneration the minister mentioned the fact again, this time with Fewer bushes and q graver air. His needs were urgent, Day after day he scanned his mail anXiously for the expected check. only to be dlsappOint- ed. But, nppreciating the hard times, other trips to the city with mysterious packages were made.
 Returning from one of these visits one night, Mir. Morgan was surprised to see motley collection of teams and vehicles around Widow Fleming's gate. Lights shone from every win dow of the cottage, including his study and bedroom. The minister was tired and in no mood to participate in a surprise party on his landlady. But, knowing her limited space, 1t would be churlish to demand privacy. He must meet hey guests. who had overhowed her apartments into his, with minis terlal welcome. Forcing the weariness from hls face, he ran lightly up the steps and opened his study door.
 Ranged around the wall was a solid row of chaira from which smiling faces glowed upon him in welcome. overrunning the center table and piled