Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-05-07

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
could" piped the widow. with meek
martyred air. She was always mar
tyred. She considered 1t an appropri
ate attitude for widow. HE can't
blame me If the choir is out of key to-
morrow"
mercy me" interrupted the spinster
IF there isn't Julia Strong a-leanina
right out Of that window a-lookIng at
the circus. and her pa 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 hesitated. Miss
Perkins was certainly taking 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 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 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 n CHEEKY nod
and an unconquerable conviction Of
right that had only left them founder
Ing. He intended to quit the room
now unnoticed, but was unfortunate
enough to upset n chair as he turned
from the table. This brought chorus
of eXclamations 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
the five foot six widow and then at
the helpless red haired urchin by her
side, but he made no comment beyond
offering chair to each Of the women.
Our choir practice had to be entire
ly discontinued" declared Miss Per-
kins sourly as she accepted the prof
fered chair, adjusted her skirts for a
stay and glanced defantly at the par
son, who had dutifully seated himself
near the table.
Il am sure l have as true an ear as
anybody" whimpered the widow, with
an injured air. But defy any one
to lead What Shall the Harvest BeY
to an accompaniment like that" She
jerked her hand in the direction of the
window. The band was again playing
the "hoochee coochee"
Never mind about the choir prac-
tice," said Douglas. with smile. ut
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"
And the small boys would rather
see the circus than co hear you preach,
most likely" snapped Miss Perkins.
1t was adding insult to injury for him
to try to console her
"Of course they would. and so would
some of the grownups If they'd only
tell the truth about it." said Douglas,
laughing
WHAT" exclaimed Miss Perkins.
why not?" asked Douglas II am
sure don't know what they do inside
the tents. but the parade looked very
promising"
1.-THE parade" the two women ech-
oed in one breath. Did you see the
parade"
YES indeed" said Douglas enthusi-
astically, But 1t didn't compare with
the one l saw at the age of eight"
He turned his head to one side and
looked into space with reminiscent
smile. The widows red haired boy
crept close to him.
1.-THE Shetland ponies seemed as
small as MICE" he continued dreamily,
1.-THE elephants huge as mountains, the
great calliope waited my soul to the
very skies. and | followed that parade
right into the circus lot"
did you seed inside de tenty" Will
lie asked eagerly.
II didn't have enough money for
that" Douglas answered frankly. He
turned to the small boy and pinched
his ear. There was sad disappoint-
ment in the youngsters face. but he
frightened again when the parson con-
fessed that he ''peeped."
"A parson peeping" cried the thin
Tipped Miss Perkins.
II was not n parson then" corrected
Douglas sooG naturally.
"You were going to be-" persisted
the spinster
81 had to be boy first in spite OF
that fact"
The sudden appearance of Hasty