The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-04-27

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.Eo matter wl.at happens the show has
20 90 on
a-worryin' about her"
well, M-ndy will do the worrying
now" Douglas laughed. shes been
dying for chance TO mother some-
body all along. Why. she even tried
II on me-"
Il noticed as how some OF those
church people seemed 10 look kinder
queer at me-" said Toby. ''an' I been
a-wonderin' II mebbe they might feel
the same about her"
"0h. they're all right Douglas as
sured him. They'll be her friends In
no time"
shes ct for 'em. sir Toby plead
cd. "she's good. clean into the mid.
Ole OF her heart"
I'm sure Of f." Douglas answered.
I've heard how some church folks
feels towards US circus people, sir.
an l jes' wanted you TO know that
there amt finer families or better
mothers or fathers or grandfathers or
grandmothers anywhere than among
US. Why. that girls mother rode the
horses afore her. an her mother afore
that. an her grandmother an grand
father afore that. an there amt mo-
body what's cared more for their good
name an their children's good name
an her people has. You see, sir, cir
Gus folks is all like that. They's les
like one big family. They tends to
their business an takes good care OF
themselves. They has TO or they
couldn't do their work. It's cause I'm
leavin' her with you that I'm sayin'
all this" the old man apologized.
I'm glad you told me. Toby" Doug.
las answered kindly. ..Tve never
known much about circus folks"
Il guess I'd better be goin'," Toby
faifered as his eyes roved hungrily to-
ward the stairway.
"rll send you our route. an mebbe
you'll he lettin' us know how she Is"
''Tndecd. WILL" Douglas assured
him heartily.
"You might tell her wen write ever
day or so.- he added.
I'll tell her" Douglas promised ear.
ncstly.
-Good nightr' The old man hesltat.
ed. unwilling TO go. but unable TO fnd
further pretext for staying.
''Good night, Toby" Douglas ex.
tended his hand toward the bent figure
that was about 20 shuttle past him
The withered hand Of the white faced
clown rested In the strong grasp Of the
pastor. and his pale little eyes sought
the face Of the stalwart man before
him. A numb desolation was growing
In HIS heart. The object for which be
had gone on day by day was being left
behind. and be must stumble forth
Into the night alone.
Its hard TO leave her. he mum.
blcd. but the show has got 20 go on.
The door shut out the bent. old az.
ure. Douglas stood for some time
where Toby had left him. still think.
Ing Of his prophetic words. His rev.
erie was broken by the sounds Of the
departing wagons. the low muttered
curses Of the drivers. the shrieking
and roaring Of the animals, as the cir.
Gus train moved up the distant hill.
The show has got TO so on" he re-
peated as he crossed TO his study table
and seated himself for work I'm the
dim light Of the old fashioned lamp.
He Put out one hand to draw the
sheets of his interrupted sermon to-
ward him. but instead Il fell upon
small sailor hat. He twisted the hat
sbsentiy In his fingers. not yet realiz.
Ing the new order Of things that was
coming Into his life. Mandy tiptoed
softly down tho stairs. She placed one
pudgy forennger ON her lips and rolled
her large eyes skyward. "Dat surc
am an angel chile straight from heb.
bcn," she whispered. "she done got
face jes' ike little flower"
straight from heaven Douglas re.
peated as she crossed softly to the ia.
bic and picked up the satchel and coat.
"You can leave the lamp. Mandy. ]
must finish tomorrow's sermon"
She turned at the threshold and
shook her head rather sadly az she
saw the imprint Of the days cares on
the young pastors face.
"Yo' mus be pow'ful tired" she
said.
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