Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-07-10

"Yes, sir-c-bob, We've made up our
minds TO that"
"And who do you mean by 'wcY"
THE members of this congregation"
replied Strong mpatirntly,
"Am | to understand that you are
speaking for them?" There was Il
deep frown between the young pas
tors eyes He was beginning to be-
perpleXed.
"Ycs, and AS deacon Of this church."
"Then rs deacon of this church you
tell the congregat ton for me that thar
Is my affair"
"Your affair" shouted Strong, "whcI
that girl Is livln under the church's
roof, eatin' the church's bread"
"Just one moment! You don't quite
understand. am minister of this
church, and for that position | receive
or am supposed to receive salary to
live ON and this parsonage, rent free,
to live In. Any guests that | may have
here are my guests and not guests of
the church. Remember that, please"
There was an embarrassing silence.
The deacops recalled that the pastors
salary was slightly in arrears. Elver'
son coughed meekly. Strong started.
"You keep out OF this. Elverson!" he
cried. I'm runnin' this affair, and ]
amt forgettin' my duty nor the par
sons"
81 shall endeavor to do my duty as
l see It," answered Douglas, turning
away and Diminishing the matter.
"Your duty Is to your church." thun.
dered Strong
you're right about that, Deacon
Strong" answered Douglas, wheeling
about sharply, land my duty to the
church is reason enough for my acting
exactly as am doing in this case"
as your duty to the church the only
reason you keep that girl here"
mo; there are other reasons"
81 thought So"
you've heard her story-you must
have heard. She was left with me by
an old clown who belonged in the cir
Gus where she worked. Before he died
he asked me to look after her. She
has no one else. shall certainly dc
So"
THAT was when she was hurt. She's
well now and able to go back where
she came from. Do you expect us to
have our young folks associatln' with
circus ridin girlr"
$50, that's it!' cried the pastor, with
plying look. you think this child
is unfit for your homes because she
was once in a circus. For some rea-
son circus to you spells crime. You
call yourself Christian, Deacon
Strong. and yet you insist that send
good, innocent girl back to life
which you say is sinful. I'm ashamed
of you, Strong-I'm ashamed Of yOu!'
"That talk don't do no good with
met roared Strong. He was desperate
at being accused Of an un-Christian at
titude.
81 amt askin' you to send her back
to the circus. | don't care where you
send her. Get her away from here:
that's ALL"
mot so long as she wishes to stay"
you won'tY' Strong saw that he
must try new attack. He came close
to Douglas and spoke with marked
insinuation. "lf you was Il friend to
the girl. you wouldn't want the whole
congregation a-pointin' fingers at her"
"What do you meany'
81 mean that you're Twin here alone
with her and It looks bad-bad for the
girl and bad for you-and folks is
talkin."
Are you trying to tell me that my
people are evil minded enough to think
that r. Douglas stopped. He could
not frame the question Il don't be-
lieve it, he concluded shortly.
you'll be made to believe 1t If you
don't get rid of that girl"
do you believe it," He turned
upon the little man at his side. "Do
you believe 1t. ElversonY'
Elverson had been so accustomed to
Strong monopolizing the conversation
that he had become hopelessly lost as
the discussion went on. and the sudden
appeal to him all but paraTyzed his
power of speech. He was still CUR