Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-03-05
MRS, oRoPTs' DILEMMA.

W lIG -DOAf olhOo OlObhOoA
Freddy Barton burst in upon Mrs.
Crofts, in her sunny kitchen, and de-
livered himself of this speech in a
breathless manner.
"Missonary-boxl What missionary
box Freddy"
Mrs. Crofts was rolling out flaky
pie-crust, that was to cover pie des.
tined for the dinner-table that day, and
it was growing late; but, notwithstand-
ing that fact the rolling-pin came down
with q soft thud and her hands rested
idly upon it as she continued to stare
steadily at Freddy, while the answer to
her question fixed itself upon her mind,
and fell, at length, from her own lips.
$50 they have decided upon sending
money and the box, after alp"
81 reckon they have" said Master
Fred, wondering what made her stare
so.
"You tell your ma, sonny, that 1 will
contribute just what | promised, three
months ago, when that box was men,
toned clothing, nothing more. l have
just been baking some gingerbread
men. Take oneP Benny declares GIN
gerbread is so much better baked in
this way" laughed Mrs. Crofts. "He
always begins at the toes and eats up.
Thinks that way tastes better too"
Freddy laughed merrily at Ben's con-
ceit, and, pocketing the gingerbread
man ran homeward, calling out from
the gate: "You are to hurry up"
Mrs. Crofts was not given to long,
elaborate sentences in making her opin-
ions and decisions known, nor to use
less argument. She invariably held an
opinion, however, upon most subjects
discussed in her hearing, and expressed
them in brief, concise manner, when
directly appealed to.
This missionary had been talked
up months ago, and all had consented
to contribute clothing; but many re,
fused money. In fact, those opposed
to the money scheme were in the ma
jority; but the other party were decid-
edly the most infuential-thati is, as
Deacon Day once mildly observed, they
talked the fastest and loudest and car
ried the day invariably, in other mat
ters besides missionary-boxes.
Mrs. Barton had at that time re-
marked oracularly: "There ought not
to be dissenting voice." 1t was posi-
lively wicked that any church member
should refuse money to SO laudable a
cause. She could see no possible rea-
son. If there existed one, could it be
statedP "Mrs. Crofts, is there plausi-
BILE reason for itP''
81 believe So"
"Will you state itP''
Certainly. The debt upon our
church, large amount of which must
be furnished very soon, and those who
are really suffering here in our midst.
The poor fund is exhausted"
:" Dear me! Certainly. We have a
debt upon us. know; but so have
many churches who still give largely,
all over. Don't you know thatP'
Mrs. Barton entirely ignored the lat
ter part of Mrs. Crofts' speech.
81 do; but they pay their interest, or
should. We do not"
"Yes. I-well, we did feel obliged
to ask help this year."
And last also," supplemented Mrs.
Crofts.
" Yes; last year also"
"By sending money in another di-
rection, just at present, we are taking
it from those to whom it rightly be-
longs. Besides, there are those here
amongst us who are almost starvingr'
A dead silence had followed Mrs.
Crofts' truthful, plainly-spoken words,
and no further allusion had been made
to sending money or box to foreign
missions; and that same night Mrs
Crofts, after the children were in bed
had delivered herself of speech of un
usual length to worthy John Crofts,
who had the utmost faith in every wore
she uttered, concluding with:
al do believe, John, in sending Il
foreign missions. Heart and soul an
interested in the work and am willing
to do all my hands find to do; but jus
now, considering the state of our churcl
financially, 1 believe it is wrong, and il
the face, too, of the fact that we can
raise enough to relieve the wants of on,
single needy family among u.s."
Mrs, Crofts had believed the matte
abandoned, until Freddy Barton so un
tremendously announced it in prog
ress.
Forgetful alike of pie and rapid high
of time, she remained standing wher
Freddy had left her, turning the matte
over in her mind, and wondering VIII
she had not heard of the fresh move i
that direction before; and evidently tn
plans were IN an advanced state, con
sidering Fred's parting injunction st
hurry up
The old eight-dsy clock in the corne
reused her from her reverie, at last
when she charged at the white crus
with more spirit than was usually dis
played in pie-makiDg by this worth
lady.
Upon the whole, Mrs. Crofts was to
charitably disposed toward all erin
humanity to feel aggrieved any lengt
of time; therefore, when Ben and Bessi
came in from school, with rosy cheek
and eyes like stars, she forgot directl
that missionary box existed.
m "Mamma, Fred Barton said you gav
him one of our gingerbread men, and
was the very goodest he ever eat, an
he began at the toes too, cause dc
and, mamma, he said, if he had jus
another, he would begin at the heaC
and then he could tell 'zactly whic
way tasted the best. Can / take hir
.anotherP u f-ria.r
ir Mrs. Crofts laughingly assented, an
few moments later, with Mr.. Croftl
they were seated around the table, a
trace of the momentary vexation II
meyed from the good little lady's face
and enjoying the meal as every mes
was enjoyed in the Crofts household.
81 want bright faces at the table,
worthy John Crofts always sale
"Don't bring your grievances there, {
all places"
And Mrs. Crofts saw to it that no on
did. Mr.. Crofts invariably had a gooC
wholesome, bright story to tell of som'
thing that could interest Ben and Be
sic, and Mrs. Crofts never failed I
make the most of every pleasant littl
event; and 80 it came to pass that th
three daily meals in this househol
were the jolliest part of the day. Oh
Miss Frink, the village seamstress, VIII
was there whole week at one time, dI
ola.se.d che lflra a.. dsnI o..,,... ...o..I Al