The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-20
A Clergyman'> Joke.

was spending the night III hotel in
Freeport, Illinois. After breakfast | came
into the sitting room, where met pleasant
chattv, good -humored traveller, who like my
self was waiting for the morning train from
Galena. We conversed freely and pleasant
ly on several topics, until seeing two young
ladies meet and kiss each other in the street.
the conversation turned on kissing, just about
the time the train was approaching. Come
said he, taking up his carpet-bag, since We
are on so sweet a subject, let US have prac-
tical application. I'll make Il proposition to
you. III agree to kiss the most beautiful la
DIV in the cars from Galena, you being the
Judge, if you will kiss the next prettiest, |
being the Judge The proposition staggered
me 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, l a
greed provided he would do the first kissing.
though my heart failed somewhat as l saw
his black eye fairly sparkle with daring
/ Yes said he Ill try it 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 Iii come in from behind and kiss her.
+ had hardly stepped inside the car when
saw at the first glance one of the loveiesl
looking women my eye ever fell on. A beau.
tiful blonde, with auburn hair, and a bright
sunny face, full of love and sweetness, and a.
radiant and glowing as the morning. ANY
further search was totally unnecessary.
Immediately took my stand in the isle of the
car by her side. She was looking out of tht
window earnestly, rs if expecting some one
The back door of the car opened and in step
ped my hotel friend. l pointed my fingeI
slyly to her, never dreaming that he woult
dare to carry out his pledge; and you ma.
imagine my horror and amazement when h'
stepped up quickly behind her, and, stoopins
=, over, kissed her with relish that made IN,
mouth water from end to end. | expected
of course shrek of terror, and then roy
generally, and knock down; but astonish
=. ment succeeded astonishment when | sa,
, her return the kisses with compound inter
. est.
Quick as fash he turned to me, and sait
Now, sir, it is your turn, pointing to hide
ously ugly. wrinkled old woman who sat i
the seat behind. 'Oh, you must excuse me
you must excuse mer exclaimed. I'm sol
this time. give up. Do tell ME who yo
have been kissing WELL said he, 'sinc
YOU are a man of so much taste, and sue
, quick perception, I'll let you off, And we a
burst into general peal of laughter as h
said, This is my wife. l have been waitin
here for her. knew that was a safe prop'
sition.' He told the story to his wife, WI
- looked ten-folG sweeter as she heard it.
Before We reached Chicago We exchange
cards, and discovered that my genial COZ
=. panion was popular Episcopalian clerg
=, man OF Chicago, whose name l had frequen
:. ly heard. Whenever 90 to Chicago {
Z, ways 60 to hear him, and a heartier, mo
u natural, and more eloquent preacher it
hard to find. He was then but young ma
he is now we'll known as one of the ables; {
or vines of the Episcopal denomination in Il
D., West-Harper's Monthly.
Of &c tho Co