West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-04-29
human enough to resent the injustice


OF his fate.
much because OF the impractical ef-
forts OF her husband that she discour.
aged the early tendencies OF the son
toward drawing and mathematics and
tried TO direct his thoughts toward
creeds and Bible history When he
went away for his collegiate course
she was less I'm touch with him and lac
was able to steal time frc his ath.
letics To devote TO his art lie spent
his vacations In a neighboii 2 city be-
fore drawing board I'm t.. office OF
distinguished architect. his fathers
friend.
Douglas was not brilliant divinity
student. and he was relieved at last
when he received his degree In theol.
ogy and found himeclf appointed TO n
small church In the liddle west.
His step was yer. bright the morning
be first went up no path that led TO
his new home. ! Is artistic sense was
charmed by the picturesque approach
to the church and parsonage. The
view toward tho tree encirclcd splre
was unobstructed. for the church had
been built on the outskirts OF the town
TO allow for growth that had not
materialized. He threw up his head
and gaxed Mt the blue hills. with their
background of soft, slow moving
clouds. The smell OF the fresh earth.
the bursting OF the buds. the forming
OF new life. set him thrilling with n
Joy that was very near To pain.
He stopped halfway up the path
and considered the advantages OF a
new front TO the narrow eaved cot.
tage, and when his foot touched the
first step OF the vine covered porch he
was far more concerned about new
portico than with any thought of his
FIRST sermon.
His speculations We're abruptly cut
short by Mandy, who hustled out OF
the door with n wide smile of welcome
on her black face and an unmistakable
ambition TO take him Immediately un-
der her motherly wing She was much
concerned because the church people
had not met the new pastor at the sta
tion and brought him to the house.
Upon learning that Douglas had pur-
| posely avoided their escort, preferring
10 come TO his new home the first time
alone. she made up her mind that she
was going TO like him.
Mandy had long been a fixture I'm the
parsonage. She and her worse half,
Hasty Jones, had come TO know and
discuss the weaknesses OF the many
clergymen who had come and gone,
the deacons and the congregation, both
individually and collectively. She con-
hded TO Hasty that she didn't "blame
de new parson fer not wantin' to mix
up wild dat ar crowd"
In the study that night, when she
and Hasty helped Douglas TO unpack
his many boxes OF books, they were as
eager ns children about the drawings
and pictures which he showed them.
His mind had gone beyond the parson-
age front now. and he described 10
them the advantage OF adding an ex-
ira ten feet to the church spire.
Mandy felt herself almost m artist
when she and Hasty bade the pastor
good night. for she was still quivering
from the contagion OF Douglas enthu,
siasm. Here. ut last, was n master
who could do something besides find
fault with her,
Il tes' wan to be on de groun' da
mrs time dat Mars Douglas and dat
ere Deacon Strong clinches," she said
to Hasty as they locked the doors and
turned out the hall light. did you
done see his jawT" she whispered.
He look laughin' enough now. but
jes' you wait till he done set dat ere
jaw o his'n, and dar Amt nobody
what's goin' ter unsot IT,"
Maybe dar amt goin' ter be no
ciinchin'," said Hasty. hoping for Man.
dy's assurance to the contrary.
"Whatf" shrieked Mandy. "Wid dat
ere sneakin' Widow Wiiloughby al
ready a-tellin' de deacons how ter start
de new parson a-goin' properT'
Now, why youse always a-plckin'
on to dat ere widow 2" asked Hasty. nj
ready enjoying the explosion which he
knew his defense of the widow was
sure to excite.
II don like no woman what's allus
braggin' bout her clean floors" nm.
swered Mandy shortly. She turned
out the last light and tiptoed upstairs.
trying not TO disturb the pastor
John Douglas was busy already with
pencil and paper. making notes Of the
plans for the church and parsonage.
which he would perfect later on.
Alas, for Douglas' day dreams! It was
not many weeks before he understood
with heavy heart that the deacons
were far too dun and uninspired 90
share his faith in beauty as an aid 20
mans spiritual uplift
"We think we've done pretty well by
this church." said Deacon Strong. who
was the business head. the political
boss and the moral mentor OF the
small towns affairs. Just you worry
along with the preachin', young man.
and wen attend 10 the buyin' and
buildln' operations"
Douglas mind was too active TO con.
tent Itself wholly with the writing Of
sermons and the routine Of formal pas.
tOral calls. He was n keen humani.
tartan. 80 little by little he came 20
be interested I'm the heart stories and
disappointments OF many Of the VII.
lage unfortunates, some OF whom were
outside hls congregation. The men
tally sick. the despondent, who needed
words OF hope and courage more than
dry talks on theology. found I'm him
an ever ready friend and adviser, and
these came TO love and depend on
him. But he was never popular with
the creed bound element Of the
| church.
Mandy had her wish about being on
the spot the first time that the parsons
jaw squared Itself at Deacon Strong
The deacon had called OF the parson-
age TO demand that DouQfes mt n efor
to the boys playing baseball IN the ad-
/ Joining lot on Sunday. Douglas had
been unable 20 see the dencon's point