The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-05-13
CHATTER VI.

less enthusiastic than his
mother He did not remonstrate. how.
ever. for II had been the custom Of
generations for al least one son Of each
Douglas family TO preach the gospel
of CaIvinism, and his fathers career
as an architect and landscape gardener
bad not left blm much capital
Douglss senior had been recognized
as an artist by the few who under
stood his talents, but there Is small
demand for the builder of picturesque
houses in the little business towns OF
the middle west. and at last he passed
away, leaving his son only the burden
Of his financial failure and an ardent
desire 10 succeed az the profession In
which his father had Jared SO badly
The hopeless, defeated look on the de-
parted mans face had always haunted
the boy. who was artist enough to feel
his fathers genius lntuIhvely and
human enough to resent the injustice
OF his fate.
Douglas mother had suffered So
much because OF the impractical ef-
forts of her husband that she dlscour-
aged the early tendencies OF the son
toward drawing and mathematics and
tried TO direct his thoughts toward
creeds and Bible history. When be
went away for his collegiate course
the was less In touch with him and he
was able to steal time from his ath
/ letics 10 devote TO his art. He spent
his vacations in a neighboring city be-
fore drawing board In the office of
distinguished architect, his fathers
/ friend.
Douglas was not a brilliant divinity
student, and he was relieved at last
when he received his degree IN theoi
ogy and found himself appointed to a
small church In the middle west.
His 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
10 allow for growth that had not
materialized He threw up his head
and gazed at the blue hills. with their
background q soft, slow !, moyine !s,i
CrU1sEs. Tfir SfIlen oi tHe Iresu ealtH,
the bursting OF the buds, the forming
OF new life, set him thrilling with a
Joy that was very near to pain.
He stopped halfway up the path
and considered the advantages OF a |
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 new |
portico than with any thought OF his
first sermon.
His speculations We're abruptly cut |
short by Mandy, who hustled out OF
the door with wide smile OF welcome |
on her black face and an unmistakable
ambition to take him Immediately un-
der her motherly wing She was much
concerned because the church people
had not met the new pastor al the sta
tion and brought him TO the house.
Upon learning that Douglas had pur-
posely avoided their escort, preferring
to 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 both
Individually and collectively. She con
fided 10 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
md Hasty helped Douglas to unpack
bis many boxes Of books they were as
eager as children about the drawings
and pictures which he showed 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 bade the pastor
good night. for she was still quivering
from the contagion OF Douglas enthn.
siasm. Here, al last, was master
who could do something besides find
fault with her
81 jes wan 10 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 90 the hall light. did you
done see his jawr she whispered
He look laughln' enough now. but
jes you wait till he done set dat ere
Jaw o. his'n. and dar amt nobody
what's goin' ter unsot II"
Maybe dar amt goin' ter be no
said Hasty, hoping for Man
dys assurance 10 the contrary
"whatf' shrieked Mandy. "wid dat
ERE sneakln' Widow wiiloughby al
ready a-telIin' de deacons how ter start
de new parson a-goin' properi"
Now. why youse always a.plckln'
on TO dat ere widowY asked Hasty, al
ready enjoying the explosion which be
knew his defense Of the widow was
sure 10 excite,
II don ike no woman what's allus
braggiu' bout her clean floors" an
swersd Mandy shortly. She turned
out the last light and tiptoed upstairs,
trying not to 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. fer Douglas day dreams. II WIS
not many weeks before be understood
with heavy heart that the deacons
were far too dun and uninspired 10
share bis faith In beauty as an aid 20
mans spiritual upiift
I'VE think we've done pretty well by
this church" said Deacon Strong. who
wss the business head. the political
boss and the moral mentor Of the
small towns affairs @Inst you worry
along with the rreschin, young man.
and wen nitend 10 The bnyin' and
buiiain operation
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