Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-01

was able TO src6r time from dis attn
ietics to devote to his art He spent
bis vacations In neighboring city be
fore drawing board fn the Office OF a
distinguished architect. his fathers
friend.
Douglas was not brilliant divinity
student. and he was relieved at last
when he received his degree In theol-
ogy and found himself appointed TO a
small church In the middle west
Hts step was very bright the morning
be FIRST went up the path that led TO
his new home. His artistic sense was
charmed by the picturesque approach
to the church and parsonage The
view toward the tree encircled spire
was unobstructed, for the church had
been built on the outskirts Of the town
to allow for q growth that had not
materialized. He threw up his head
and gazed at the blue hills. with their
background Of soft, slow moving
clouds. The smell OF the fresh earth,
the bursting OF the buds. the forming
OF new life, set him thrilling with a
Joy that was very near 10 pain.
He stopped halfway up the path
and considered the advantages of
new front TO the narrow eaved cot
tage. and when bis foot touched the
first step OF the vine covered porch he
was far more concerned about a new
portico than with any thought OF his
first sermon
His specusations were abruptly cut
short by Mandy. who BUSTED out OF
on her black face and an rnmistakable
ambition TO take him Immediately un-
der her motherly wing She was much
concerned because the church people
had not met the new pastor at the sta
ton and brought him TO the house.
Upon learning that Douglas had pur-
posely avoided their escort, preferring
10 come TO his new home the first time
alone. she made up her mind that she
was going to like him.
Mandy had long been fixture in the
parsonage. She and her worse half.
Hasty Jones. had come to know and
discuss the weaknesses of the many
clergymen who had come and gone.
the deacons and the congregation. botA
individually and collectively. She con.
hded to Hasty that she didn't 'blame
de new parson fer not wantin' to mix
up wild dat ar crowd"
In the study that night. when she
and Hssty helped Douglas to unpack
his many boxes OF books. they were as
eager as children about the dra wings
and pictures which he @hewed them.
His mind had gone beyond the parson-
age front now. and he described TO
them the advantage OF adding an ex-
ira ten feet TO the church spire.
Mandy felt herself almost an artist
when she and Hasty babe the pastor
, good night for she was stu quivering
from the contagion OF Douglas enthu-
siasm. Here. at last. was n master
who could do something besides find
fault with her.
Il Jes' wan TO be on de groun' de
frs time dat Mars Douglas and dat
ere Deacon Strong clInches." she said
10 Hasty as they locked the doors and
turned out the hall light. did you
done see his jawT" she whispered.
HE look laughin' enough now. but
tes' you walt til be done set dat ere
jaw o. his'n. and dar amt nobody
what's goin' ter unsot IT,"
Maybe dar amt goin' ter be no
clinchin'." said Hasty. hoping for Man
dy's assurance TO the contrary.
What" shrieked Mandy. vivid dat
ere sneakin' Widow wiilorghby al
ready a-tellin' de deacons how ter start
de new parson a-goin' properT'
Now. Why youse always a-pickin'
on TO dat ere widowr' asked Hasty, al
ready enjoying the explosion which he
knew his defense OF the widow was
sure 60 excite.
Il. don like no woman what's allus
braggin' bout her clean floors" an
swered Mandy shortly. She turned
out the last light and tiptoed upstairs.
trying not 10 disturb the pastor.
John Douglas was busy already with
pencil and paper. making notes OF the
plans for the church and parsonage.
which be would perfect later on.
Alas. for Douglas day dreamsl 1t was
not many weeks before he understood
with heavy heart that the deacons
were far too dun and uninspired to
share his faith i'm beauty as an aid to
mans spiritual uplift.
1--WE think we've done pretty well by
this church." said Deacon Strong. who
was the business head, the political
boss and the moral mentor OF the
small towns affairs. Just you worry
along with the preachin', young mar,
and Wen attend TO the buyin' and
buildIn' operations"
Douglas mind was too active 10 con
tent itself wholly with the writing OF
sermons and the routine OF formal pas
toraI calls. He was a keen humani-
tartan, so little by little he came 20
be interested in the heart stories and
disappointments OF many OF the vii
lage unfortunates. some OF whom were
outside his congregation. The men
tally sick. the respondent. who needed
words OF hope and courage more than
dry talks on theology, found In him
an ever ready friend and adviser, and
these came 10 love and depend on
him. But he was never popular with
the creed bound element of the