The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-02
HIS DIFFICULTY.


and Mrs. Crane was occupied. The min
lister had just written u deep and well
turned sentence. Il was unusual for him
to be composing a sermon in the after
noon, but he was under fury of inspira-
ton, and therefore wrote in opposition to
his habit. The bell rang twice and dis
turbed him. He stepped quickly to the
front door and met basRful little boy
who said that his mother wished Mr.. and
Mrs Crane to come to tea the following
evening.
what is your name?" inquired the
preacher.
The boy told him and added, my
mother says to bring your little boy
YES thank you. We shall be pleased
to accept.
Mr.. Crane returned to his study and
was at once absorbed in his writing, which
he continued without further Interrupt
tons He had been appointed to his pres
ent church only six weeks previous and
was anxious to make a favorable impress
sion in all ways.
Next morning before breakfast the min
lister said to his wife, My dear, we are
invited to tea this evening""
'tAh, indeed! Where?''
The minister hesitated. To tell the
truth, he was looking through the church
directory. When he received the invita-
ton, he understood the name perfectly,
but afterward he could only remember
that it began with Pr and ended with
'tson - He did not like to confess this to
his wife. The directory did not help him
as much as he hoped. But he said with
strange hesitation:
DR.. Person 's-yes, TO DR.. Persons. %
s'Oh, how nice!' exclaimed the wife.
"And we are to bring Robin.
At o'clock the preacher and his wife,
with 7-year-old son, sailed forth and soon
sat in DR.. Persons parlor. They waited
! ten minutes or more and then Mrs. Per
son came in, evidently dressed hurriedly.
The conversation progressed in a fitful
way, and after half an hour Mr.. Crane
rose to go, giving his wife glance which
meant, ''Wil explain" Mrs. Crane took
the cue, but Robin exclaimed, why,
papa, you said we were going to stay to
support 1t required fnesse perilousiy
/ near fbbing to smother this remark, but
u minister has certainly mistaken his call
ing if he be destitute of tact. MIR. Crane
extricated himself and wife from the
dilemma, and once more they were on the
sidewalk
what does this mean, Charles?" asked
the lady.
Then Charles made clean confession.
| "And VIC don't know where we're 60
ing?"
ITO see seine family whose name begins
| with and ends with son.
Then they laughed.
'How many such names are in tbs di-
rectoryf"
Five
''Who shall we try next?"
''Well the Widow Pierson lives nearest.
Look here, Robin, has Mrs. Pierson boy
about your size?"
Eyes, sir; he's in my Sunday school
class
''Well, likely that's the place. said
Mrs. Crane. "But, Robin listen, if you
see that they did not expect US at Mrs
Persons, don't you say one word-not a
single word. Do you underestimate
Yes, 'um."
At the widows it was evident that she
was not expecting company. Indeed the
lady was out of town, but the daughter, "a
pretty girl of IS, was very talkative and
said that her mamma would regret having
missed a call from the pastors family.
She tried to be polite to Robin, but he
was dumb. To ali the questions, such as
how he liked his new home, if he was
sorry to leave his former friends, if he was
getting acquainted with the little boys in
his new school, etc, he uttered not Il
word Mrs. Crane was amazed at her
son S obedience. It took at least half an
hour to complete this visiting experiment.
Where shall we go next, Charles?'
asked Mrs. Crane, once more on the street,
feeling rather tired and losing her DISPOSE
ton to laugh. Her husband did not reply
promptly. He was puzzled. just then
Robin said:
Look, mammal There's Professor
Star with his wife. They're dressed up,
and maybe they're going where you are!'
Professor Star presided over the academy
and belonged to Mr.. Cranes church.
THAT is highly probable" said Mrs.
Crane. Lets keep behind them and see
where they go.''
This plan was as good as any, and ac-
: cordingly the Cranes followed the Stars.
Robin thought the way long and asked his
| mother to lot him stop a minute to talk
: with young friend.
AT least keep US in sight" said hi:
mother.
At the very next house Professor Stal
and his wife entered.
''Whose house is this?'' whispered Mrs
Crane to her husband.
1.-The right Place!'' replied her relieved
husband. 1t is Mr.. Parsons
The two families arrived at the dool
simultaneously. The hostess received
! them with cordiality The house was per
| vaded with a hushed confusion, q pleasant
preparedness and agreeable savors.
Where is your little boy?" asked Mrs
Parson.
= "Oh, he will come presently. He stop
PED to talk with q schoolmate.
The company had assembled, and in {
, few minutes all were seated at the table
| Grace had boon pronounced, and the con
versations was proceeding in low tones
when Master Robin burst into the dining
/ room, exclaiming:
Papa, I saw through the window thai
you were sitting at the table, so 1 knew
you mad found the right place this time"
Found the right placer cried Mrs DR.
Person, who was one Of the guests. ooh
that explains!''
Then full explanation had to be Civ
en-, and everybody laughed. As some one
: sid, ''That broke the ice, " and at tht
close of the meal Rev. Mr. Crane made E
very witty speech, toasting, in "a cup o.
after dinner coffee, The New Minister