Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-12-27
HIS DIFFICULTY.

housemaid was taking her afternoon out
and Mrs. Crane was occupied. The min
lister had just written deep and we'll
turned sentence. 1t 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. Tho bell rang twice and dis
turbed him. He stepped quickly to the
front door and met a bashful 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"
eyes, 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
tions. He had been appointed to his pres
ent church only six weeks previous and
was anxious to make favorable impress
sion in all ways.
Next morning before breakfast the min
lister said to his wife, "Ny dear, we are
invited to tea this evening"
"Ah indeed WhereF"
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 "P" and ended with
"son." 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:
CDR. Person 's-yes to DIR. Persons"
ooh, 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 fltful
way, and after half an hour Mr.. Crane
rose to go, giving his wife glance which
meant, Twill explain" Mrs. Crane took
the cue, but Robin exclaimed, "Why,
papa, you said we were going to stay to
support" 1t required finesse perilously
near flbbing to smother this remark, but
u minister has certainly mistaken his call
ing if he be destitute of tact. Mr.. Crane
extricated himself and wife from the
dilemma, and once more they were on the
sidewalk.
"What does this mean, Charles?" asked
tho lady.
Then Charles made a clean confession.
"And we don't know where we're 60
ingg'
"To see some family whose name begins
with p and ends with SON."
Then they laughed.
GLOW many such names are in the di-
rectory?"
Give"
"Who shall we try next9"
"Well, the Widow Piorson lives nearest.
Look here, Robin, has Mrs. Pierson a 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 understand?"
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 49, was very talkative and
said that Ler mamma would regret having
missed II call from the PASTORS family
She tried to be polite to Robin, but he
was dumb. To all 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 a
word. Mrs. Crane was amazed at her
sons obedience. 1t took at least half an
hour to complete this visiting experiment.
where shall we go next Charlesg"
asked Mrs. Crane, once moro 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, mamma! There's Professor
Star with his wife. They're dressed up,
and maybe they're going where you arep'
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 60"
This plan was as good as any, and &C
cOrdingly the Cranes followed tho Stars.
Robin thought the way long and asked his
mother to let him stop minute to talk
with q young friend.
''At least keep us in sight" said his
mother.
At the very next house Professor Star
and his wife entered.
"Whose house is this?" whispered Mrs.
Crane to her husband.
THE right placeI" replied her relieved
husband. ut is Mr.. Parsons
The two families arrived at the door
simultaneously. The hostess received
them with cordiqlity. The house was per-
vaded with a hushod confusion, pleasant
preparedness and agreeable savors.
"Where is your little boy?" asked Mrs
Parson.
"Oh, he will come presently. He stop
ped to talk with schoolmate."
The company had assembled, and in
few minutes all were seated at the table,
Grace had been pronounced, and the con.
versation was proceeding in low tones
when Master Robin burst into the dining
room, exclaiming:
Papa, l saw through the window that
you were sitting at the table, so l knew
you had found the right place this time!"
Found the right placer" cried Mrs. DIR.
Person, who was one of the guests. ooh,
that explainsP'
Then full explanation had to he Civ