The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-11
PhTRlC!A'S INFLUENCE
~ s-NE SAhAN.

MES SuaSe DeSan Oy ASKING q QueS-
ticn. Such is the beginning of many
woman's conversation. DO you
know that next Sunday is Mothers
day.
Patricia indicated that she did by
series OF Affirmative mods.
Ministers all over the country are
going to preach Mothers day SER
mons, and most of them are going to
put in a word Tor woman suffrage
Patricia nodded again, comprehend
ingly.
Il have seen everyone of our min
listers but the Rev. Mr.. Hubert Stone.
| 1t happens that l do not know him.
1t also happens that he seems not to
be greatly in favor of this movement
and. therefore. must be approached in
the most diplomatic manner by the
| most tactful and attractive person
| possible.
Patricia placed hand over Mrs.
Chase's mouth playfuily. Don't-you
embarrass me-"
Never mind about that. Patricia,
will you do it? Will you go to him
personally and ask him to speak
good word for woman suffrage IN his
Mothers day talk? Now. that isn't
difficult. is ito"
| Patricia frowncd "Ill try to do the
best l can And--I do know him
slightly" she admitted
When she called to see him at the
attractive, vine-covered rectory she
had misgivings as to the successful
outcome of her Grand
Miss Way, this is indeed pleas
ure,' her host began, as he entered.
| wait and see if 1t is, Patricia
managed = "e
Doctor Stone raised his eyebrows
in mock surprise Why, What is
it?" he asked "Going to be married."
Patricia shook her head. Indeed
not. | have come to ask you to say
something nice for-ror-for mothers
in your Mothers day Sermon" she be-
gan.
"The minister laughed and pray,
what else would l do, Miss Way?"
Whether he knew what she meant to
say or not she could not tell
II mean that l want you to say
good word for woman suffrage. the
biggest movement in the world today.
You will have such wonderful op-
portunity to help us-you, with your
broad influence and on such an auspi-
cious occasion" He let her continue
without interrupting her. You know
that in practice woman suffrage
makes for righteousness; you know
that the woman workers Of your par
ish-and of every parish-need this
instrument, the ballot. to extend their
power. Now. don't you?" she asked.
81 know one thing, anyway" he
, said, looking at her keenly. And that
is that you are pretty well up in your
lines"
J Patricia looked crestfallen for mo-
ment.
"Oh," the rector fastened to assure
her. "IHon't mean that you seem not
in earnest. simply mean that you
speak well, more convincingly and &C.
riously than I thought you could Oh
this subject"
"Then you have thought about It,
too?" Patricia asked
81 have already written my sermon
have planned just what to say" he
said, smiling systematically.
"And-"
"And you just wait and see, Miss
Patricia Way. l would not be good
minister If could be SO easily per-
suaded as to what to put in my ST.
mons. l must always have time to
think deeply over subjects I put be-
fore my congregation. Don't you see
that am right?"
Patricia had risen and was ready
to go. "All right That will do" She
shrugged her shoulders prettily. ut
will have to, l fancy"
= you're not displeased?" he asked.
"Oh-no,'' she said quickly.
But she was trifle piqued to think
that he would not promise to do this
for her. That is, she was specifically
, wounded. Seriously, as she thought 1t
I over. she know he was right: she real
lied that she admired his attitude
On Sunday she sat through the
choral part Of the service and was
impatient for sermon hour She lis
tened carefully to every word Of the
splendid sermon Doctor Stone
/ preached for the mothers OF the world
; And no stronger appeal to the men
voters of a parish ever went forth
from a pulpit than flowed forth from
the lips Of Doctor Stone that day
Patricia was one of the last mem
bers OF the congregation to greet the
minister on leaving the church. She
said little rs he took her hand. but
her eyes told him much-told him SO
much that he dared to call upon her
and begin to WOO her.
$50 you see what you r,ara~cd &c
get me entangled in," Patricia told
Mrs Chase some months later
. "You look happily entangled. Pa
tric!a, dear said Mrs. Chase. And
oh. / can remember that sermon now
for l was there in your church thai
day"
Polish Patriotic Memorial.