The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1909-11-25

CHAFIEK l-POlly, child OF the Cir
Gus, is brought up by Toby, a clown, and
by boss canvasman called "Muvver
Jim" She learns to ride Bingo, circus
horse, and grows to womanhood knowing
ho life except that of the circus. ia
church near the circus lot interests Polly.
Jim reproves her for her reckless riding.
1II-Polly urges Bingo to unprecedented
speed and falls Toby and Jim carry the
injured girl to the parsonage nearby.
IV-The Rev. John Douglas, much to Dea-
con Elverson's disgust, takes Polly into
the parsonage. Toby and "Muvver Jim"
are received kindly by Douglas, who has
placed Polly in charge of his colored SER
want, Mandy. Douglas promises to care
for the girl until she is we'll. V-When
Polly becomes conscious she declares
that she must rejoin the circus at once.
''Are You sky pilot?" she asks the min
User. Her mother was killed riding
circus horse, and her father "got his n
in lions cage.' The minister reads
to her about Ruth and Naomi, and Polly
says II guess I'd like to hear you spiel"
VI-Douglas ofends Deacon Strong by
defending boys who play baseball on Sun
day. V[I-Polly RECEIVERS her health, but
is saddened by the death of Toby. jim
sends the news and promises to keep in
touch with her. VIII-Polly RECEIVERS
ifrs m the blow dealt her by Toby Ileath.
She has ceased using slang and is educat-
ing herself under Douglas guidance She
endeavors to improve Mandy's grammar
Strong and Elverson crossed the
yard. still in search Of the pastor
They turned at the sound Of f1uttering
leaves and beheld Douglas hatless,
tearing down the path. Strong called
to him. but Douglas darted quickly be-
hind the hedge The deacons looked at
one another in speeches. astonish-
ment. Presently the silence was
broken by the distant voice of Polly
counting from one to hundred. The
secret was out! The pastor. leader
of the church. was playing hide and
seek!
| 'Mr. Douglasv' shouted Strong when
his breath had returned
Hush, hush" whispered Douglas,
looking over the hedge. He peeped
\ cautiously about him, then came to-
ward the men with a sigh of relief.
"1ts all right. She has gone the other
\ way"
\ eth be good thing for you If she
never comes back" said Strong, and
4 Douglas quick ear caught an unpleas-
ant meaning in his tone.
"What's that?" the pastor asked in
low. steady voice.
eve don't like some Of the things
that are goin' on here. and 1 want to
II. talk to you about EN-"
'Very well, but see IL you can't talk
In lower key"
"Never mind about the key!" shout
ed Strong angrily.
"But l do mind" Something in his
eyes made the deacon lower his voice.
I'VE want to know how much aonger
that girl is goin to stay here"
"Indeed! And why?" The color was
ileavng Douglas face and his jaw was
lbecoming very square.
because she's been here dong
tenough."
Il don't agree with you there"
swell, 1t don't make no difference
whether you do or not. She's got to
,go.'
"Go?" echoed Douglas.
Eyes, sir-e-bob. We've made a1p gu.
minds to that"
''..And who do you mean by 'weY"
1.-THE members of this congregation"
replied Strong impatiently.
IAN l to understand that you are
speaking for themY' There was a
deep frown between the young pas
tors eyes He was beginning to be
perplexed.
eyes. and as deacon of this church"
''Then as deacon of this church you
tell the congregation for me that that
IS my affair."
that girl lis livin' under the church's
roof, eatfn' the church's breadv'
"Just one moment! You don't quite
understand. l am minister Of this
church, and for that position receive
or am supposed to receive a salary to
Ave on and this parsonage, rent free,
to live in Any guests that may have
here are my guests and not guests of
the church. Remainder that, please"
There was an embarrassing silence.
The deacons recalled that the pastors
salary was slightly Ia arrears. Elver-
son coughed meekly. Strong started.
"You keep out Of this. Elversonw he
cried. "Tm runnin' this affair, and
amt forgettin' my duty DOR the par
sons"
Il shall endeavor to do my duty as
I see It," answered Douglas, turning
away and dismissing the matter.
"Your duty is to your church." thun-
dered Strong.