Willmar tribune., 1910-06-22
Yes, sir-e-bob. We've made up our

'.Yes, sir e-bohl We've made up our
minds to that. !"
"And who do you mean by we?
"The members Of this congregation"
replied Strong impatiently. ...,
Gam l to understand that you are
speaking for them?" There was
deep frown between the young pas
tors eyes. He was beginning to be
perplexed. f. ..< T..
Eyes. and as deacon Of this church"
"Then as deacon of this church you
tell the congregation for me that that
is my affair." .s-....-
'"Your affair."" shouted Strong, "when
that girl is livin' under the church's
roof, eatin' the church's breadr'
"Just one moment! You don't quite
understand. am minister of this
church, and for that position 1 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 deacons recalled that the pastors
salary was slightly in arrears. Elver-
son coughed meekly. Strong started.
'fYou keep out Of this. Elverson!' he
cried. "pm runnin' this affair, and l
amt forgettin' my duty nor the par
sons"
II shall endeavor to do my duty as
see it," answered Douglas, turning
away and dismissing the matter.
''Your duty is to your church." thun.
dered Strong.
"You're right about that, Deacon
Strong" answered Douglas, wheeling
about sharply. ''and my duty to the
church is reason enough for my acting
exactly as am doing in this case''
''1s your duty to the church the only
reason you keep that girl here?"
mo; there are other reasons"
n 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. l shall certainly do
so.'
'"That was when she was hurt. She's
we'll now and able to 60 back where
she came from. Do you expect us to
have our young folks associatin' with
circus ridin' grip
$50, that's itv' cried the pastor, with
pitying look. "You think this child
is unfit for your homes because she
was once In circus. For some rea
son circus to you spells crime. You
call yourself Christian. Deacon
Strong, and yet you insist that send
a good, innocent girl back to a life
which you say is sinful. I'm ashamed
Of you, Strong-I'm ashamed Of your
''That talk don't do no good with
ne!' roared Strong. He was desperate
at being accused Of an n-Christian at
titude.
II 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"
'Not so long as she wishes to stay"
''You WON'T" Strong saw that he
must try a new attack. He came close
to Douglas and spoke with a marked
insinuation. III you was a friend to
the girl. you wouldn't want the whole
congregation a-pointin' fingers at her."
"What do you mean"
II mean that you're uvin' 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-
lteve it,"~he concluded shortly.
you'll be made to believe it If you
don't get rid Of that girl"
''Do you believe it?'' BE turned
upon the little man at his side. do
you believe it, Elverson?'
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 paralyzed his
power Of speech. He was still CUR