The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-16
BARBARA s DONATION
The Best Of All That Was Offered
to the Minister.
By ELIzAeETH Van NEST.

BY ELIZABETH VAN NEST.
Icopyright 1909 by Associated Literar,
Press
If the young minister had been of 0
sanguine, easily satisfied Temperament
he might have accommodated himseli
TO circumstances and drifted along al
his predecessors had done. But James
Morgan brought the enterprise Of a
modern theologian to the little hamlet
struggling down either side Of high
hill. on a summit OF which perched
the church. like snow temple.
As the church occupied the center OF
the village. the young minister reason
ed that 1t ought to be the center OF
interest also. But, try as he would, b,
could not awaken the devotional spirit
His parishloners were niggardly in
their offerings, the attendance was
small and interest slight. His sermons
were lost on the slow thinking wor-
shippers; his musical departures were a
failure.
But the Rev. Mr.. Morgan did not
despair. He had the square jaw that
accompanies the aggressive nature.
The elasticity Of his hopes was phe
nomenal. He simply would not be
discouraged. He had accepted the call
IN full knowledge OF the drawbacks.
The score of shabby houses classed
under the name of Mayhood repre-
sented only 1.-THE of the church mem.
bership. II was the prosperous farm.
ers whose indifference he must change
and conquer with his eloquence.
So James Morgan brought to May.
hood large stock Of air castle mate.
rial with which he beguiled his leisure.
He would institute many reforms. The
church should escape from an envelop.
ing mortgage and, assuming a paying
basis. make many missions glad from
Its plenty. 1t should be the handspring,
social and ecclesiastical on which
the village turned. He even proposed
that the parsonage be let and the
proceeds devoted TO the county hos
pital, proposal that met with unani
nous approval. and the minister took
up his residence under Widow Elem.
ing's roof.
Until the end Of the first quarter
things moved smoothly. The new min
lister found work to do wherever he
looked. And. being generous. he for
got to be cautious when need pulled
at his purse strings. Hardly realizing
It, he at length found his generosity
must be governed by his means until
be received his first quarters salary.
But at the end OF the second quarter
the first quarters salary was still un-
paid. With a board bin two weeks in
delinquency the minister, biushlng and
stnmmering. informed his parishioners
Of their negligence.
While their profuse excuses satisfied
him, he could not see his way clear TO
satisfy Mrs. Fleming. The fact that
wheat was a failure would not recon.
pense her for his board and lodging.
Therefore the Rev. Mr.. Morgan did the
only thing possible from his point OF
view. He went to the city next day
with mysterious package. Shortly
after the doctor drove three miles TO
borrow his microscope and was In.
formed that he had disposed OF II.
81 have so little time for expert
ments, you know" he explained, with
heightened color II could use the
money TO better advantage"
From this emanated a rumor that at
length reached Barbara Deans ears
The new minister was so phIlanthroplc
he had given up his pet hobby TO aid
the poor.
A wee and timid question mark set
itself upon her heart. Perhaps she had
been hasty. There was none quite like
him-so big. so firm. so brave. II was
very singular that he had not asked
again-he who in theory scorned de.
feat. Pretty Barbara did not know
that the hope crushed by her laughing
was the only inelastic one in his stock
of dreams.
AS the third quarter drew to close
without remuneration the minister
mentioned the fact again, this time
with fewer bushes and n grnver air.
His needs were urgent Day after day
he scanned his mail anxiously for the
expected check, only to be disappolnt.
ed. But. approaching the hard times.
other trips to the city with mysterious
packages were made
Returning from one OF these visits
one night Mr.. Morgan was surprised
to see motley collection of teams
and vehicles around Widow Fleming's
gate. Lights shone from every win.
dow Of the cottage, including his study
and bedroom. The minister was tired
and in no mood to participate in
surprise party on his landlady. But.
knowing her limited space, II would be
churlish to demand privacy. He must
meet her guests. who had overflowed
her apartments into his, with minis
terial welcome Forcing the WEAKNESS
from his face, he ran lightly up the
steps and opened his study door.
Ranged around the wall was n solid
row of chairs, from which smiling
faces glowed upon him In welcome
Oyerrunning the center table and piled
on the floor was a collection that MT
first seemed to be the stock of a gro
cery store. he singled out sack Of
-four and various stone jugs with corn
cob shoppers as he picked his way to
small oasis OF bare floor beyond
But. stumbling against one Of the
bulglng packages, the paper burst and
a stream Of walnuts poured forth.
Pardon me-" he gasped, trying to
repair the damage on his knees. every
awkward Of me. Pm sure"
The silence was portentous. and.
flushed with confusion tho r,,ininlo.