Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-05-20

I
 Well. you take my tip" She leaned
 forward as though about to impart l very valuable bit of information
 Don't you never go in for ridln' There ain't no act on earth so hard human enough to resent the injustice of his fate.
 | Douglas mother had suffered so 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 ai,d Bible history. When he went away for his collegiate course che was less in touch with him and he was able to steal time from his ath. ietics to devote to his art. He spent his vacations in n neighboring city be fore dra wing board in the office of Q distinguished architect. his fathers l friend.
 Douglas was not brilliant divinity student, and he was relieved at last when he received his degree In theol- ogy and found himself appointed to a small church in the miGd!e west.
 His step was very bright the morning he first went up the path that led to ] his new home. His artistic sense was charmed by the picturesque approach to the church and parsonage. The view toward the tree encircled spire was unobstructed. for the church had been built on the outskirts of the town to allow for growth that had not materlalized He threw up his head and gazed at 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 a 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 Q new portico than with any thought of his first sermon.
 His speculations were abruptly cut short by Mandy. who hustled out of the door with a 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 l 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 to 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 q fixture in the parsonage. She and her worse half. Nasty Jones, had come to know and discuss the weaknesses of the many clergymen who had come and gone. the deacons ard the congre2a ton. both l Individually and collectively She con l fded to Nasty that she didn't blame Ge new parson fer not wantin' to mix up wid dat ar crowd"
 | In the study that night. when she and Nasty helped Douglas to unpacl his many boxes of books, they were as eager as children about the drawings and pictures which he showed them. His mind had gone beyond the parson- age front now. and he described to them the advantage of adding an ex- tra ten feet to the church spire.
 Mandy felt herself almost an artist when she and Nasty bade the paster good night. for she was still quivering from the contagion of Douglas enthu- siaSm. Here. at last. was q master who could do something besides find fault with her.
 "I jes' wan to be on de groun' de frs time dat Mars Douglas and dat ere Deacon Strong clinches." she said to Nasty 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 be done set dat ere jaw O his'n. and dar ain't nobody whats goin' ter unset it."
 Maybe dar ain't goin' ter be no clinchin'," said Hasty, hoping for Man dy's assurance to the contrary.
 "What?" shrieked Mandy. "Wid dat l ere sneakin' N'idow Willoughby all ready a-tellin' de Geacons how ter start de new parson a-goin' proper?' | Now, why youse always a-pickln' on to dat ere widow| asked Nasty. al ready enjoying the explosion which he knew his defense of the widow was 1 sure to excite.
 I "I dcn' like no woman what's allus braggin' bout her clean focrs." an. swered Mandy shcrtly. 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 ard 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 dull and uninspired to share his faith in beauty as an aid to mans spiritual uplift.
 | "We think we've done pretty well by this church." said Deacon Strong. who