Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-06-19

no charity patient Me an Toby is
goin' to look after her keep
Her wants will be very few" Doug
las answered kindly You needn't
trouble much about that"
~ mean it." said Jim savagely. u,
met Douglns' glance of ,Hrrrisc with Il
determined look, for he feared that his
chance Of being useful to Polly might
he slipping cut Of his life,
"You mustn't mind Jim" the clown
pleaded at the pastors elbow You
see, pain gets some folks different
from others, an it always kinder
makes him savage"
"Oh. that's all right" Douglas an
swered quickly. His own life had
been so lonely that he could under
stand the selfish yearning in the big
mans heart. you must do what you
think best about these things. Mandy
and | will look after the rest
jim hung his head, feeling somehow
that the pastor had seen straight into
his heart and discovered his petty
weakness. He was about to turn to.
ward the door when 1t was thrown
open by Barker
"Where IS she" shouted the mana
ger, looking from one to the other.
"She can't come" said Jim in low
steady voice. for he knew the storm Of
opposition with which Barker would
meet the announcement
"Can't Gomez" Shrieked Barker. "Of
course she'll come. can't get along
without her She's got to come" He
looked at jim. who remained silent
and firm. "Why amt she cOmin'?' he
asked. feeling himself already defeat
ed.
shes hurt bad" was Jim'S laconic
reply.
1.-THE devil she is" said Barker,
looking at Douglas for confirmation
as that right?'
"She won't be able to travel for some
time" said Douglas.
"Mr. Barker is our manager" Toby
explained as he edged his way to the
pastors side.
"Some timew Barker looked at
Douglas as though he were to blame
for their misfortune. "Well, you just
bet she will" he declared menacingly.
"See here. Barker. don't you talk to
him like that" said Jim, facing the
manager Hes darDed square. even
If he is a parson." Barker turned
away. He was not n bad hearted man.
but he was irritatcd and upset at los
ing the star feature Of his bill.
"Ain't this my dodgaStcd uckT' h"
muttcred to himself rs his eye again
Travelled to the boss canvaSman. lyon
get out Of here, Jim" he shouted. AN
start them wagons The shows got to
go on. Poll or no Poll"
He turned with his hand on the
doorknOb and jerked out a grudginG
thanks to the pastor. "It's all fired
good Of you to take her in" he said,
"but it's tough to lose her. Good
night" He banged the door and cIat-
tered down the steps.
Jim waited. He was trying to find
words in which to tell his gratitude.
None came. and he turned to 90, with
short "GOOdby."
Good night. jim" said the pastor.
he crossed the room and took the big
fellows hand.
"Much Obliged" Jim answered grutf-
ly. 1t was his only polite phrase, and
he had taught Polly to say it. Doug
las waited until Jim had passed down
the steps, then turned to Toby, who
still fingered near the Fable.
you'll tell her how it was me an
jim had to leave her without sayin'
goodBy. won't you, sir" Toby pleaded.
"Yes. indeed" Douglas promised
"I1l jes put this little bit of money
into her Satchcl." He picked up the
little brown bag that was to have been
Polly's birthday gift. ME an jim
will be Sendin' her more soon"
you're going to miss her, I'm
afraid" Douglas said, feeling an ir-
rcsistble desire to gain the old mans
confidence.
lord bless you, yes, sir" Toby an
swered turning upon him eagerly.
"Alc an jim has been father an moth