The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-08-29
WHOLE NO., $50.
A Clergyman's Joke.

was spending the night in n hotel al
Freeport, Illinois. After breakfast l came
into the sitting room, where met pleas.
ant, chatty, good bumorod traveller, who,
like myself, was waiting for the morning
train from Galeua, We conversed freely
and pleasantly on several topics, until, seeing
two young ladies meet aud kiss zach other
in tho street, tho conversation turned on
kissing, just about the time the train was
approaching. "Come," said he, taking up
his carpet bag, "sincc we are on so sweet .
subject, let us have a practical application.
I'll make proposition to you; I'll agreo 20
kiss the most beautiful lady 10 the cars from
Galena, you being the judge, If you will kiss
the prettiest, being tho judge" The prop
osition 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 l
possibly could bo, agreed, provided he
would do tho first kissing, though my heart
failed, somewhat, as l saw his black eye
fairly sparkle with daring. "Yes," said hc,
"I'll try it first. You take the back car,
and go in from the front end, whore you
can see tho faces of the ladies', aud you
stand by the one you think the haudsomest,
aud I'll come in from behind and kiss her" !"
had hardly stepped inside the car when
] saw, at the first glance, one Of the loveIiest
women my eye ever fell on. A beautiful
blonde, with auburn hair, and bright,sunny
face, full Of love and sweetness, and as ra-
disnt 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
the window earnestly, as if expecting some
one. The back door of the car opened, aud
in stepped my hotel friend. ! pointed my
finger slyly to her, never dreaming that he
would dare to carry out bis pledge; and
you may imagine my horror and amaze
Inent when he stepped up quickly behind
her, and, stopping over, kissed her, with
relish that made "my mouth water" from
end to end. expected, of course, a shriek
of terror, and then a row generally, and a
knock-down; but astonisbment succeeded
astonishment, when l saw her return the
kisses with compound interest.
Quick as fash he turned to me and said
"Now sir, it is your turn : pointing to Q
hideously ugly, wrinked old woman, who sat
in the seat behind. "Oh, you must excuse
me you must excuse me" l exclaimed.
| "Im sold this time. l give up. Do tell
me who you have been kissing" "Well," /"
said he, 'since you are man of 80 much
taste, and such quick perception, I'll lot YOU
off, And we all burst into a general peal
of laughter as be said, "Tbis is my wife 1
have been waiting here for her. knew
that was a safe proposition" He told the
story to bis wife, who looked ten-fold sweet
or as she beard it.
Before we reached Chicago we exchanged
cards, and discovered that my genial com =
panion was popular Episcopa!ian preach
er Of Chicago, whose name l had eoueutly
heard. Whenever l go to Chicago, al
ways go to hear him, and a heartier, more
natural and more eloquent preacher it i.
hard to find. He was then but a young man;
he is now well known as one of the ablest
divines in the West.-Harpsr's Monthly.