The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-04-21

action against the things that her soul
sbominated
"Well. I'm sure I've done all that !
could" piped the widow. with a meek
martyred air. She was always mar
tyred She considered II 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-leaning
right out of that window a-looking at
the circus, and her pa Il deacon of the
church. and this the house of the pas
tor, It's shocking! l must so to her. :"
MA, let me see, too" begged Willie
us he tngged at his mothers skirts.
Mrs Willoughby hesitated. Miss
while for her argument with Julia.
The glow from the red powder outside
the window was positively alarming.
Dear me- she said. Il wonder IL
there can be fire" And with this
pretext for investigation she, too,
joined the little group at the window.
\ few moments later, when Douglas
entered for "A 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 Il sturdy young man of
eight and twenty, frank and boyish In
manner. confident and light hearted in
the deacons when he was appointed to
their church, and his keen enjoyment
of outdoor games and other healthful
sports robbed him of a certain dignity
in their eyes Some of the women of
The congregation had been inclined to
side with the deaeons. for ii 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 OF
Indifferent to their resentment and
had gone on his way with CHEEKY no'
and an unconquerable conviction O.
right that had only left them founder
ing, He intended to quit the room
now unnotlced, but was unfortunate
enough to upset n chair as he turned
from the table This brought chorus
of ordinations from the women, who
chattering, rushed quickly toward him
What do you think of my naughty
boy. Willie?' slmpered the widow
He dragged me quite to the window.
Douglas glanced amusedly first a
the five foot six widow and then Il
the helpless red haired urchin by he
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 q
stay and glanced defiantly at the par.
son, who had dutifully seated himself
near the table
Il am sure | have as true an ear as
anybody" whlmpered the widow, with
an injured air But | defy any one
10 lead What Shall the Harvest Be?
10 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 a smile. al
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 to hear you preach
most likely" snapped Miss Perkins
II was adding insult to injury for hin
TO try to console her
"Of course they would. and so woulC
some of the grownups If they'd onl.
tell the truth about It," said Douglas
laughing.
"Wlati' exclaimed Miss Perkins.
Why notf' asked Douglas. II an
sure don't know what they do insid
the tents but the parade looked yer,
promising"
THE paradew the two women ech
oed in one breath Did YOU see tn
paradeY"
Eyes. indeed" said Douglas enthusi
astically. But it didn't compare will
the one / saw at the age Of eight.
He turned his head to one side an,
looked into space with Il reminiscen
smile. The widows red haired bo,
crept close TO him.
"Thc Shetland ponies seemed a
small as nice" he continued dreamlly
the elephants huge as mountains. th'
great calliopc waited my soul to TIL
very skies, and ! followed that parade
right into the circus lot"
did you seed inside de tent" WI
lie asked eagerly.
u didn't have enough money TO
that" Douglas answered frankly. FL
turned 10 the small boy and pinche'
his ear. There was sad disappoint
ment in the youngsters face, but h
frightened again when the parson con
fessed that he .'peeped."
"A parson peepingH crfcd the thii
.ipped Miss Perkins.
II was not "A parson them correcte'
Douglas good naturedly
"You were going 10 be- persisted
the spinster.
II had to be boy first In spite o
that fact
The sudden appearance OF Hast.
proved a diversion. He was iookin
very sheepish.
"Hyar he is, Mars John; look q
him. said Mandy.
.'Hasty, where have you been a
day" demanded Douglas severely.
Hasty fumbled with his hat an
spared for time. ibid yo' say whar'
/ been, sah?"
Oats what he done asst yo'," Mand
prompted threateningly.