The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-04-30
douglas He spoke shortly.

DouSldS. lie spoke SnOrtly.
Saint you got no handle to it,"
IF you mean my Christian name, it's
John"
swell, that sounds like a sky pilot
all right. But you don't look like I
s'posed they did
"Why not?.
II always s'posed sky pilots was old
an grouchy-like. You're Almost as
good lookin' as our strong man."
II done tole him he was too good
lookin' to be an unmarried parson, =
Mandy chuckied, more and more
amused at the pastors discomfort.
Looks don't play very important
part I'm my work." Douglas answered
CURLY. Mandy's confidential smokers
made him doubly anxious to get to a
less personal topic.
well, they count for whole lot
with u.s." she nodded her head decid-
edly. How long you been showin' in
this town. anyhow"
about year." Douglas answered,
with something of q sigh.
a year." she gasped. "In a burg
like this, You must have an awful lot
Of laughs in your act to keep EN-
a-comin' that long" She was wise in
the ways of professional success.
"Not many, I'm afraid" He won
dered for the first time If this might
be the reason for his rather Indifferent
success.
DO you give them the same stuff. or
have YOU got rep?"
a rep?" he repeated in surprise.
"Sure, repertory, different acts-en-
tries some calls 'em. Uncle Toby's got
twenty-seyen entries. 1t makes heap
of difference in the big towns where
you have run"
"Oh, understands Douglas answer
ed In tone of relief. well. | try to
say something new each Sunday.
what kind of spiels do you give
'em:' she inquired, with growing In
terest.
Il try to help my people to get on
better terms with themselves and to
forget their week day troubles" He
had never had occasion TO define his ef-
forts so infinitely.
well, that's jes' the same as u.s."
Polly told him, with an air Of conde-
scension, ..only circuses draws more
people an churches"
.'Yours does seem to be a more pop
ular form of entertainment" Douglas
answered dryly. He was beginning TO
feel that there were many tricks in the
entertainment trade which he had not
mastered. And. after all. what was his
preaching hut an effort at entertain
ment? II he failed TO hold his congre-
CATION by what he was saying, his lis
teners grew drowsy and his sermon
fell short of its desired effect. 1t was
true that his position and hers had
points of similarity. She was appar-
emily successful. As for himself he
could not be sure. He knew he tried
very hard and that sometimes tired
mother or sad faced child looked up
at him with smile that made the
service seem worth while.
Polly mistook the pastors reverie fol
envy. and her tender heart was quick
10 find consolation for him.
you amt got all the worst of t.
she said. III we tried to play a dunn
like this for six months. we'd starve Il
death. You certainly must give 'em d
great show" she added. surveying hin
with growing interest.
1T doesn't make much difference
about the show Douglas began
but he was quickly Interrupted.
that's right; it's jes' the same with
circus. One year you give 'em I'll,
rottenest kind Of a thing. an they eai
It up; the next year you hand 'em {
knockout. an It's frost. Is that
the way IL Is with church show?"
"NIuch the same,' Douglas admitted
half amusedly. half regretfully. VERY
often when | work the hardest ! seen
70 do the least good"
Il guess our troubles Is pretty much
alike" Polly nodded. with a motherly