Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-08-27
A GsersymaIl's Joke.

l was spending the night in a hotel
in Freeport, Illinois. After break fast
I came into Tho sitting-room. where I
met pleasant, chatty, good humored
traveller, who, Ike myself was waiting
for the morning train f.om Galena.
We conversei freely and pleasantly on
several topics until seeing two young
ladies meet and kiss each other in the
street, the conversation turned on kiss
ing. Just about that time the train was
approaching. Come, said he,'' taking
up his carpet-bag, "since we are on so
sweet subject, let US have practical
application. III make a proposition
TO you. I'll agree to kiss tie most
beautiful lady in the cars from Galena.
you beng the judge, if you will kiss
the next prettiest being the Judge"
The proposition staggered me a little,
and | could hardly tell whether he was
in earnest or in fun; but as he would be
as deep in it as | could possibly be, I
agreed, provided lie would do the first
kissing, though my heart failed some
what as | saw his black eyes sparkle
with daring. i" Yes" said he, "I'il try
first. You take the back car, and go in
from the front end, where you can see
the faces of the ladies, and you stand by
the one you think The handsomest, and
I'll come in from behind and kiss her.
had hardly stepped inside of the car,
when | saw at the first glance one of the
loyeliest looking woman my eye ever
fell on. A beautiful blonde, with au-
burn hair, and a bright, sunny face full
OF love and sweetness, and rs radient and
glowing as the morning. Any further
search was totally unnecessary.
| Immediately took my stand in the
aisle Of the car by her side. She was
looking out of tho window earnestly. as
if expecting some one. The back door
OF the car opened and in stepped my
hotel friend. [ pointed my finger slyly
to her, never dreaming that lie would
dare carry out his pledge; and you may
imagine my horror and amazement when
he stepped quickly behind her, and,
STOPPING over, kissed her with relish
that made :" my mouth water" from end
to end. | expected, of course, shrek
Of terror, and then row generally, and
knock-down; but astonishment sue
ceedcd establishment, when / saw her
return the kisses with compound inter
est.
Quick as flash he turned to me and
said, Now, sir, it it is your turn"
pointing to hideously ugly, wrink-
led woman who sat in the seat
behind Oh, you must excuse me,
You must excuse" l exclaimed. Tn
sold this time. | give it up. Do tell
me who you've been kissing" Well"
said he, since you are a man Of SO
much taste and quick perception, | viii
let you off And we all burst into a
good peal Of laughter as he said, This
is my wife. / have been waiting here
for her knew that was safe propo-
sition." lie told the story to bis wife,
who looked tenfold swceter when she
heard It.
Before we reached Chicago We ex-
changed cars, and | discovered that my
genial companion was an Episcopal
preacher of Chicago. whose name L had
frequently heard. Whenever / 60 to
Chicago [ always GO to hear him and a
heartier, more natural, and more eio-
quent preacher it is hard TO fluid. He
was then but a young man; he is now well
known aseone Of the ablest diYines Of The
Episcopal demonstration in the VEST
H1rper's Weekly.