The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-05-06
BY MARGARET MAYO :
cOPYRIcaT. 1893. BY DoDD. MEAD AND COMPANY

age front now. and he described to
them the advantage Of adding an ex-
ira ten feet to the church spire.
Mandy felt herself almost an artist
when she and Hasty bade the pastor
GOOD night. for she was still quivering
from the contagion OF Douglas enthu-
siasm. Here. Mt last. was a master
who could do something besides find
fault with her.
II jcs' wan to be on de groun' de
frs time dat Mars Douglas and dat
ere Deacon Strong clinches." she said
10 Hasty as they locked the doors and
turned out the hall light. did you
done see his jawr' she whispered.
"IIe 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
cllnchln'." said Hasty. hoping for Man
i dy's assurance 10 the contrary.
"whatl' shricked Mandy. .wid dat
ere sneakih' Widow wllloughby al.
ready n-telliii' de deacons how ter start
de new par. on a-goin' properi''
Now. why youse always a-pickln'
on TO dat ERE widowg' asked Hasty, al.
ready enjoying the explosion which he
knew his defense Of the widow was
sure 10 excite.
Il don. like no woman what's allus
f.t e1a
swcred Mandy shortly. She turned
out the last light and tlptoed upstairs
trying not 20 disturb the pastor
John Douglas was busy already with
pencil and paper. making notes Of the
plans for the church and parsonage
which be would perfect later on
Alas. for Douglas day dreamsl II wai
not many weeks before he understood
with a heavy heart that the dcacon'
were far too dull and uninspired I,
share his fifth In beauty as an aid e
mans spiritual uphff.
"we fhlnt we've done pretty well by
this church said Deacon Strong. who
was the brsincss head. the political
boss and the moral mentor OF tbs
small towns affairs. "Just you worry
along with the preachin'. young man
and well attend 20 the buyin' and
buildln' operations"
Douglas mind was too active 10 con
tent itself wholly with the writing oi
sermons ard the routine Of formal pas
toral calls. lie was a keen humani
tarinn. 80 little by little he came I,
be interested IN the heart stories and
dIsappoIntments Of many Of the vii
lare unfortunatcs. some of whom were
outside his congregation. The met
tally sick, the despondcnt. who needed
words Of hope and courage more thar
dry talks on theology. found In hin
an ever ready friend and adviser. and
these came 10 love and depend o.
him. But he was never popular witt
the creed bound element Of the
church.
Mandy had her wish about being on
::se spot the first time that the parsons
Jaw squared Itself M Deacon Strong
The deacon Ind called M the parson.
nge 60 demand that Douglas put stop
to the boys playing baseball In the ad.
joining lot on Sunday. Douglas had
been unable 20 see the deacon's point
of view Tie declared that baseball
was a healthy and harmless form Of
exercise. that the afr was meant 10 be
breathed and that the boys who en-.
joyed the game on Sunday were prin.
clpnliy those who were kept indoors
by work on other days. The close Of
the Interview was unsatisfactory both
10 Douglas and the deacon.
"Dey kinder made me cold an
prickly all up an down de back"
Mandy said later when she described
their talk 10 Hasty. Dat ere deacon
don know muffin bout gittin' roun'
De parson.- She tossed her head with
feeling Of superiority. she knew the
way. Make him forget himself with q
laugh. Excite his sympathy with some
village underdog.