Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-06-18
HIS DIFFICULTY.


and Mrs. Crane was occupied. The min
lister had just written deep and well
turned sentence. II was unusual for him
20 be composing IA sermon in tho after
noon, but he was under a 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 hashful little boy
who said that his mother wished Mr.. and
Mrs. Crane ~ come to tea the following
evening
"What Is your namcY" inquired the
preacher.
The boy told him and added, "My
mother says 10 bring your little boy"
ayes, 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 10 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 MS wife, My dear, We are
invited 10 ten this evening"
"Ah, indeed where
The minister hesitated. To tell the
truth, he was looking through the church
directory Nhen he received the invita-.
ton, no understood the name perfectly,
but hncrward he could only remember
that ii began with ''P" and ended with
"son. He did not like to confess this 10
his wife The directory did not help him
as much rs be hoped. But he said with
strange hesitation
"Dr Person s-yes TO DIR. Persons"
"Oh, how nice" exclaimed the wife.
"And we are To bring Robin. "
At o'clock the preacher and his wife
with 7-ycar-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 hurricdly
The conversation progressed in "a ftful
way, and after half an hour Mr.. Crane
rose TO 60, 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 &c
supper" 1t required tlncsse perilouslv
near nbbin9 TO smother this remark, but
a minister has certainly mistaken his call
ing if he DO destitute of tact MIR Crane
extricated himself and wife from the
dilemma, and once more they were on the
sidewalk.
"What does this mean, CharlesF" asked
the lady.
Then Charles made a clean confession.
"And we don't know where we're go.
ingg"
ITO see some family whose name begins
with = and ends with son.
Then they laughed.
"How many such names are In the di.
rectoryY'
Five"
"Who shall we try next''
"Wcll, the Widow Picrson lives nearest
Look here, Robin, has Mrs. Pierson boy
about your size"
"Yes, sir; he's In my Sunday school
class. -
"wen, 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
single word. Do you underestimate
Yes, 'um.
At the widows ID was evident that she
was not expecting company. Indeed the
lady was out of town, but the daughter
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 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
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, Charles"
asked Mrs. Crane, once more on the street
feeling rather ti.ad and losing her disposi
ton 10 laugh. Her husband did not repl
promptly. lie was puzzied. just theI
Robin said:
"Look, mammal There's Professor
Star with his wife. They re dressed up,
and maybe they re going where you are"
Professor Starpresided 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 20.
This plan was as good as any, and 40.
cordingly the Cranes followed the stars.
Robin thought the way long and asked bis
mothSr 90 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 is thisY' whispered Mrs
Crane TO her husband.
"Tho right place. replied her relieved
husband lit is Mr.. Parson :. "
The two families arrived at the door
simultaneously. The hostess received
them with cordiality. The house was per.
vadcd with hushcd confusion, pleasant
preparedness and agreeable savors
where is your little boy?" asked Mrs
Parson.
ooh, he will come presently. lie stop
ped 10 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 i'm low tones
when Master Robin burst into the dining
Toom, eXclaiming
Papa, / 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 cxplainsl'
Then full explanation had 10 be Civ
en-, and everybody laughed. As some one
said, "That broke the ice, #" and at the