Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1896-06-19
HIS DIFFICULTY.

u. H.
lister had just written deep and well
turned sentence. 1t was unusual for him
To be composing n sermon in the after
noon, but he 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 a hashful little boy
who SAID that his mother wished Mr. and
Mrs. Crane To come To tea the following
evening.
What is your namof" inquired the
preacher.
The boy told him and added, "My
mother says 10 bring your little boy"
Yes, thank you. We shall DO pleased
TO accept"
Mr.. Crane returned To his study and
was nj 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 "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"
"Ah, indeed Whore?"
The minister hesitated. To tell the
truth, he was looking through the church
directory. When he received tho invita-
ton, no understood the name perfectly,
but afterward he could only remem Der
that II 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 a
strange hesitation;
DR.. Person's-yes, to 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.. Persons parlor. They waited
ton 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 a finesse perilously
near fibbing TO smother this remark but
minister has certainly mistaken his call
ing If he DO destitute of tact. Mr.. Crane
extricated himself and wife from the
dilemma, and once more they were on the
sidewalk.
What does this mean, Charlesp" asked
the lady.
Then Charles made clean confession.
"And we don't know where we're go
ingP'
ITO see some family whose name begins
with p and ends with son. e."
Then they laughed
How many such names are in the d.
rectoryp"
Five"
"Who shall we try nextY'
well, the Widow PicrsOn lives nearest
Vlg
about your size?"
Eyes, sir; he's In my Sunday school
class "
well likely that's the place" said
Mrs. Crane but, Robin, listen II you
see that they did not expect us at Mrs.
Persons, don't you say one word-not
single word. Do you understands"
Yes, 'um. "
At the widows 1t was evident that she
was not expecting company. Indeed the
lady was out Of town, but the daughter a
pretty girl Of 10, was very laxative and
said that her mamma would regret having
missed 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, be 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, CharlesY"
asked Mrs Crane, once more on the street
feeling rather tired and losing her DISPOSE
ton to laugh. Her husband did not repl
promptly. He was puzzIeo. Just theI
Robin said
Look, mammal 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. Let's keep behind them and see
where they go"
This plan was as good as any, and nc.
cordingly the Cranes followed the stars
Robin thought the way long and asked his
mother to let him stop minute to talk
with young friend.
AT least keep us in sight said his
mother.
At the very next house Professor star
and his wife entered
"WhOse house i this2' whispered Mrs
Crane to her husband.
"Thc right place. replied her relieved
husband. 1t is Mr.. Parsons"
The two families arrived at the door
simultaneously. The hostess received
them with cordiality. The house was per.
vaded with hushcd confusion, pleasant
preparedness and agreeable oayors
where is your little boy?' asked Mrs
Parson
ooh, he will come 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 tone.
when Master Robin burst into the dining
room, exclaiming
Papa, l saw through the window that
you were sitting at the table, so / knew
you had found the right place this time'
Found the right place. cried Mrs DR.
Person, who was one Of the guests. "Oh,
that explains
Then full explanation had TO be Civ
en-, and everybody laughed. As some one
said, "That broke the ice, j." and at the
close Of the meal Rev Mr. Crane made a