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[Page 53]

On another occasion I went to a preacher's house with my music. I saw his son, a manly little fellow about twelve years old. He said he wanted a copy and asked me to go to his home, and show it to his mother. I did so and played the pieces. The little boy said he must have the pieces and appealed to his mother. She hesitated. He said he had a silver dollar of his own and if she would not buy the music, he would get it himself. The mother told him his father (the minister) was in the study, and to go and see what he said about getting it. The study was in an adjoining room and I could hear the conversation.

"Sonny", said the Reverend gentleman, "Go and ask the lady if she will not take ninety cents for the music; if she will, you can get it. Tell her that is all the change I've got."

I told him, "Yes, as that is all your father has, I would not stand on ten cents. You can have the music, as I had rather have your father's ninety cents than to take your own silver dollar."

So the little boy returned to his father's study for the money, and again the Reverend gentleman spoke:

"Sonny, ask her if she will take eighty five cents for her music; tell her I lack a nickel of having as much as I thought I had." I told him I would not take that. I had rather not make the sale, and made a move to leave. He went into the study to report.

"Ask her if she can change a ten dollar bill."

I told him I could, and he sent me a ten to change. I was counting it out, he called his son and said:


"I don't believe I want that note changed. Here are two fifty cent pieces which I didn't know I had (!) Pay them to her, and be sure to get the ten cents change." So he beat me out of ten cents at last, and the next Sabbath, I suppose, he filled God's pulpit and with raised hands and uplifted eyes, preached about the pomps and vanities of this wicked world!

And yet we are sending missionaries to China!

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