The producers news., 1929-01-11
The Preacher and
His Converts
Bv ARTHUR B. HERBERT

human.
Twenty-Five years is a long pastOrate
IN one place especially when the
twentv-fve years have witnessed
church growth and success such as
anderson had wrought in Arlington
Memorial. To crown his work was to
ooma the new church building. AS
rndprson rounded the street corner,
deem in plans and hopes for the new
structure. he had over $1,000 in the
nocket of his frOck coat. In his desk
drawer were three thousand more.
Abruptly EndersOn was brought back
70 the immediate present as a dis
srrayed figure hurtled by him and
landed in a heap against the wall Of
building.
can if you want any more, just get
>lp an say sou the big figure of Bud
Mason invited the fallen one.
Chagrined and thoroughly annoyed,
FndersOn suddenly realized that he
had become an unwilling member Of
this group. Of course it was again the
fault of Bud NasOn-Bud Mason, the
never -be-seen in church. The few
DAYS ashore between sailings were in
deed too short to be spent fOoling
around with such company!
AS Enderson hurriedly disentangled
himself from among the fight enthu-
siasts his eyes met those of Bud Ma
son, and the hostile message which
they telegraphed was not lost on the
brawny sailor.
"Well, I'll be d-d!" half in surprise
half in Indignation, summed Up NS'
sons thought Jumped on again, con-
demned without a hearing as usual
Here a fellow comes home after ten
weeks at sea, comes home and gives 8
weIl-deserved licking to the goOdfOr
nothing yegg who has been bullying
the neighbOrhood during his absence
and for that gets a dirty look from
the parSOn!
"Well, I'll be d-d!" repeated Mason
and those about him, without knowing
the prOvOcatiOn, agreed to be d
with him, for was not Bud Nasor
champion rOugh-and-tumble fighter D
piOn unless you considered Red Bar
ron, the only man who could beat hin
down.
EndersOn, his pleasant thought
rudely Jared by Nason's fistic exhibl
tion, passed down the block, into th
side gate Of the churchyard an
through the rear door of the parsor
age. 1t was several moments befor
he could account for the queer sens
Of danger that coursed his spine, sev
eral moments before he gathered tn
significance of the pile Of silverwar
piled together Oh the dining-rooI
table.
Instantly Enderson's thoughts fle
to the building money stored In hi
desk drawer awaiting bank deposit tn
next day. Was it still safe?
Even as his eyes took In the ope
and ransacked desk drawer, the stud
door closed behind him and a towe
ing, red-headed fellow swung viciousl
at him. Taken completely by surpris
anderson, the man of peace, who hs
ed his fist squarely into the snarliI
lace! Enraged by the unexpected o
position, the burglar came on a secoI
time.
As the queer and UNEQUAL comb
ran on the infuriated redhead grad
ally recognized the unbelievable
strength was waning. Dazed, only t
ueslre to kill In his mind, he grabb
handy andirOn and swung wildly
the diminutive preacher. Fortunate
tor Enderson, the andiron caught in
curtain, tore 1t from his grip and tn
ddeswept his head.
buo Nason's mind was still on Z
oerSon's unjust condemnation as
"rOoe past the parsonage. He turn
sneering face toward what he KIN,
was Enderson's study window-o1
10 behold the curtain at that wind
suddenly come tearing down from
pole, while q tinkle of falling gl.
accompanied the strange phenomen
as ne bounded up the stoop, the o
sonage door opened and into his ar
rushed a dazed, bloody, red-hea(
giant whose only thought was esca
But Mason thought otherwise. !
ught was short; 1t only needed two
Cud's mighty swings to send the
nausted crook into unconsciousness
TO his congregation the next Sun,
morning Rev. George Enderson Y
the same faithful minister, except I
One arm was In a sling and sevt
strlps Of court plaster decorated
sue OF his head. But In his own ht
anderson knew that he was chang
new light and understanding
oeeh given him 1t was with pride
gratitude that he beamed down u
Duu Mason, whose redoubtable
usu saved the building fund. Bud
son' who had even refused a cen
'ne $4,000 reward for Red Barron.
CncomfOrtably Bud had SOUR
III MS unaccustomed stiff white col
= DIT obviously he eyed the imm
aUe parishioners about him: then
uouOting eyes fell upon the figur
.he pulpit-and Bud Mason bea
oack-beamed upon Enderson wi
Ooa In which was all hero-wol
anu amazement at the years of b
ened.