Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-12
COPYRIGHT. I9Os. RY DODD. Mad AND coMPANY

), bl DODD. MEAD AND COMPANY
at the cIo.o1 irorS. Feeling that the
pastor WAS uuduublrdly behind one Of
them when he ought TO he out taking
action against the things that her soul
nbominated.
well, I'm sure I've done all that
could" pipcd the widow. with meek
martyred air She was always mar.
tyred. She considered it an appropri.
ate attitude for widow. He cant
blame me if the choir is out Of key to.
morrow"
"Mcrry me-" interrupted tho spinSter
"If there isn't Julia Strong a-lcaninG
right out of that window a-looking at
the circus, and her pa II deacon of the
church, and this the house ~ the pas
tori It's Stocking must go to her"
Ma, let me see, too" begged Willie
as he tugged ut his mothers skirts.
Mrs. WilIoughby hcsitated. Miss
Perkins was certainly taking Il long
while for her argument with Julia.
The glow from the red powder outside
the window was positively alarming.
dear me-" ,,rc said IL wonder if
there can be fire" And with this
prcteXt for Investigation she, too
joined the ii,t!r group at the window.
| A few moments later, when Douglas
entered for 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 ut the eager
way in which they were hanging out
of the window.
Douglas wa@ II sturdy young man of
eight and twenty, frank and boyiSh in
manner. confident and light hearted in
spirit He had seemed too young to
the dcac0nS when he was appointed to
their church. and his keen enjoyment
of outdoor games and other healthful
sports robbed him of n certain dignity
in their eyes Some of the women of
the congregation had been inclined to
side with the dCaCOnS, for it hurt their
vanity that thr pastor found so many
other interests when he might have
been sittin" in dark, Stuffy rooms dis
cu$Sing theology with them, but Doug
las had been either unconscious of or
Indifferent to their resentment and
had gone on his way with n CHEEKY nod
and an unconQucrable conviction Of
right that had only left them founder
ing. He intended to quit the room
now unnOtiCcd, but was unfortunate
enough to upset chair as he turned
from the table This brought 4 chorus
Of eXclamationS from the women. who,
chAttcring, rushed quickly toward him.
'What do you think of my naughty
boy, WillicT simpercd the widow.
"He dragged me quite to the window"
Douglas glanced HmuSedly first mt
the five foot six widow and then ut
the helpless red haired urchin by her
side, but he made no comment beyond
offering Il 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 a
stay and glanced detiantly at the par
son, who had dutifuly seated himself
near the table.
''lii N"iN navy 'lH true All ear us
anybody,' whimpcrcd the widow. with
an injured air. "But | defy any one
to lead What Shall the Harvest Be-
to an accompaniment like that" She
jerked her hand in the direction of the
window. The band was again playing
the "hOOchCP COOchce"
Never mind about the choir prac-
tice," said Douglas. with Il smile. 1T
Is soul. not skill. that our congregation
needs in It's 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. |
1t was adding insult to injury for him
to try to console her
"Of course they would. and so would |
some Of the grownups if they'd only
tell the truth about It," said Douglas, |
laughing
What" exclaimed Miss Perkins,
"Why not?" asked Douglas. II am |
sure | don't know what they do inside
the tents, but the parade looked very
promising"
"Thc parade" the two women ech-
oed in one breath. Did you see the
paradox
eyes, indeed" said Douglas enthusi-
astirally. But it didn't compare with
the one | saw at the age Of eight"
He turned his head to one side and
looked into space with reminiscent
smile. The widows red haired boy
crept close to him.
"The Shetland ponies seemed as
small as mice" he continued drcamily,
"the elephants huge as mountains. the
great calllope waited my soul to the
very skies. and | followed that parade
right into the circus lot"
Did you seed inside de tent?' VIII
lie asked eagerly.
II didn't have enough money for
that" Douglas answered frankly. He
turned to the small boy and pinchcd
his ear There was sad dsappoint-
a. .
E.NSAa