West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-04-29

That's what he am, chile" Mandy
slipped the words In slyly. for she
knew that they were against the pas
tors wishes. but she was unable TO re-
strain her mischievous impulse to sow
the seeds OF curiosity that would soon
bear fruit In the inquisitive mind OF
the little invalid.
"Will you get on TO me a-landln' into
mixup like thisT" She continued to
study the uncomfortable man at her
side. II never thought I'd be a-talkin'
to one OF you guys. What's your
nnme?
Douglas" He spoke shortly.
"Ain't you got no handle to it,"
IF you mean my Christian name. it's
John"
We'll. that sounds like a sky pilot
all right. But you don't look like
s'posed they did"
why notf"
II always s'posed sky pilots was old
an grouchy-llke. You're almost as
good lookin' as our strong man"
II done tole him he was too good
lookin' to be an unmarried parson."
Mandy chuckled, more and more
amused at the pastors discomfort.
Looks don't play very important
part In. my work." Douglas answered
curtly. Mandy's confidential smokers
made him doubly anxious to get TO
less personal topic
"well. they count for n whole lot
with u.s." She nodded her head decid-
edly. How long you been shown In
this town, anyhow
About year." Douglas answered,
with something Of a Sigh
"A year," she gasped. "In a burg
like thisl You must have an awful lot
of laughs In your act to keep 'em
a-comin' that long" She was wise In
the ways of professional success.
Not many, I'm afraid" He won
dered for the first time IL this might
be the reason for his rather Indifferent
success.
do you give them the same stun. or
have you got repT'
"A repr' he repeated In surprise.
"Sure, repertory, different acts-en-
tries. some calls 'em. Uncle Toby's got
twenty-seven entries. 1t makes heap
OF difference in the big towns where
you have a run"
"Oh. / understandr' Douglas answer
ed In tone of relief. "Well, / try TO
say something new each Sunday"
What kind OF spiels do you give
'em?' she inquired. with growing in
terest
II try to help my people to get on
better terms with themselves and 10
forget their week day troubles" He
had never had occasion to define his ef-
forts so mlnutely.
"Well, that's Jes' the same as u.s."
Polly told him. with an air OF conde-
scension, "only circuses draws more
people AN churches"
Yours does seem to be a more pop.
ular form of entertainment" Douglas
answered dryly. He was beginning TO
feel that there were many tricks I'm the
entertainment trade which he had not
mastered. And, after all, what was his
preaching but an effort at entertain
ment? II he failed to hold his congre-
CATION by what he was saying, his lis
teners grew drowsy and his sermon
fell short OF It's desired effect. IL was
true that his position and hers had
points OF similarity. She was appar-
emily successful. As for himself he
could not be sure. He knew he tried
very hard and that sometimes a tired
mother or a sad faced child looked up
at him with smile that made the
service seem worth while.
Polly mIstook the pastors reverie for
envy, and her tender heart was quick
to find consolation for him.
you ain't got all the worst Of st."
she said. "If we tried TO play n dump
like this for six months. we'd starve to
death. You certainly must give 'em a
great show" she added, surveying him
with growing interest.
"It doesn't make much difference
about the show Douglas began,
but he was quickly interrupted.
That's right; it's jes' the same with
circus. One year you give 'em the
rottenest kind OF a thing. an they eat
y IL up; the next year you hand 'em a
knockout, an It's frost. Is that
the .way II is with a church shown
Much the same" Douglas admitted.
half amusedly. half regretfully. every
often when ! work the hardest I seem
to do the least good"
II guess our troubles is pretty much
alike" Polly nodded, with a motherly