Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-01-17
HIS DIFFICULTY.

/
ister had just written u deep and well
turned sentence 1T was unusual for him
/ TO Dc composing a sermon in tho after.
noon, but no was under fury Of inspira.
ton, and therefore wrote in opposition 10
his habit. The bell rang twice and dis
turbed him. He stepped quickly TO the
front door and met bashful little boy
who said that his mother wished Mr.. and
Mrs. Crane IL come 80 tea the following
evening
what is your name?' inquired the
preacher.
The boy told him and added, "My
mother says 10 bring your little boy"
Eyes, thank you. We shall be pleased
10 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 10 make a favorable impress
sion in all ways
Next morning before breakfast the min
lister said to his wife, My dear, we are
invited 10 tea this evening"
"Ah, indeed Wheref"
Tho minister hesitated. To tell the
truth, he was looking through the church
directory. When he received the invita-
ton, he understood tho name perfectly,
but afterward he could only remember
that it began with up" 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 u
strange hesitation:
CDR. Person s-yes, 10 DR. Persons"
"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.. Person parlor. They waited
ten minutes or more, and then Mrs. Per
son came in, evidently dressed hurriedly.
The conversation progressed in ftful
way, and after half an hour Mr. Crane
rose to go, giving his wife glance which
meant, will explain" Mrs. Crane took
the cue but Robin exclaimed, why,
papa, you said we were going to stay to
supper 1t required inesse perilously
near fihbinG "a smother this remark, but
n minister has certainly mistaken his call
ing II 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
the lady.
Then Charles made clean confession
And we don know where we're go
ing
ITO sec sornc family whose name begins
with y and ends with son.
Then they laughed
How many such names are in the di.
rectory:'
Five"
"Who shall we try next
"Wcll, the Widow Pierson lives nearest
Look here, Robin, has Mrs. Pierson ~ boy
about your siIcI'
yes, 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 ut Mr.,
Pierson :. don't you say one word-not a
single word. Do you understand
Yes, 'um
At the widow IL WI, eviden, that she
was not expecting company Indeed the
lady was out of town. bat the daughter, "a
pretty girl Of rs, Was very talkative and
said that her mamma would regret having
missed - call from the pastors family
Sho tried To he polite 10 Robin. but he
was dumb To all the questions. such rs
how he liked his new home. il he was
sorry to leave hi~ former friends, If he was
getting acquainted with the little boys in
his new school. etc. Lee uttered not a
word Mrs Crane was amazed at her
son : obedience. II took ~ least half an
hour 10 complete this visiting experiment.
Where shall we 20 next, Charles
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. mammal There's Professor
Star with his wife They re dressed up,
and maybe they re- going where YOU arc"
Professor star presided over tho academy
and belonged To Mr.. Cranes church
THAT Is highly probrb bio, " said Mrs
Crane. Let keep behind them and see
where they go.
This plan was as good u, any, aud nc
oordingly the Cranes followed the stars.
Robin thought the way long and asked his
mother to let him stop minute Ia talk
with young friend.
AT least keep lis in sight, said HRS
mother
At the very next house Professor star
and his wife entered.
Whose house is thisg" whispered Mrs
Crane 10 her husband.
"The right place replied her relieved
husband. 1t Is Mr.. Parsou :.
The two families arrived st the door
simultaneously. The hostess received
them with cordially. The house was per
yaded with hushed confusion, pleasant
preparedness and agreeable savors.
Where is your little boy?" asked Mrs
Parson.
"Oh, he will CONS presently. He stop
ped TO talk with a 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 ] saw through the window that
you were sitting at the table, 50 knew
you had found the right place this time
Found the right placer" cried Mrs DR..
Person, who was one 81 the guests. 'Oh,
that explains
Then full explanation had TO I've Civ
en-, and everybody laughed. As some one
said, That broke the fee" and at the
close of the meal Rev. Mr.. Crane made II
very witty speech toasting, in cup of