The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-06-17
VOLUME X, NUMBER Is.
A olsrsynan's Joke.

Iwas spending tho night In Q hotel In FREQ
port. illinois. After breakfast I cams into the
sitting. room. where met . pleasant, chstty,
good .humorcd traveller, who, Ike myself, Was
waiting for the morning train from Gslsns. We
eonversed freely and pleasantly on several top
los. until seeing two young ladies meet and kiss
each other In the street. The conversation turned
on kissino, Just about the time thstnin WAS
approaching. "Come," said he, taking up his
csrpet.bag, "since we arc on % sweet subject
let US have practical application. I'll agree
to kiss the most beautiful lady In the cars from
Gslena, you being the judge, II you viii kiss
the next prsttiest, being the judge" Tho
proposition staggered mo little, and could
hardly tell whether hs was In earnest or In fun;
but as he would be as deep In II as could pos
sibly be. I agreed. provided he would do the
first kissing, though my heart failed somewhat
as saw his black eyes fairly sparkle with dar-
ing. EYES," said he, I'll try Il 6rst. You
take the back car, and 60 In from the front
end, where you can see the faces Of the ladies.
and you stand by the one you think the hand.
soonest, and I'll como In from behind and kiss
her." .il
had hardly stepped inside the car when
saw at the Hrst glance one Of tho LOWEST look
ing women my eyes ever fell on. A beautiful
blonde, with auburn hair. and bright sunny
face, full Of love and sweetness. and as radiant
and glowing as the morning. Any farther
search was totally unnecessary. Immediately
took my stand In the aisle Of tho car by her
side. She was looking ont Of the window ear
nestly, as II expecting some one. The back
door Of the cor opened and in stepped my hotel
friend. Ipointj my finger silly to her; never
dreaming that he would dare to carry out his
pledge and you may imagine my horror and
amazement 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. shriek Of terror, and
then row generally. and o knock-down; but
astonishment succeeded astonishment when
saw her return tho kisses With compound inter-
est. ......
Quick as fash he turned to mo, and said.
"Now. sir. It Is your turn )" pointing to
hidcously ugly, wrinklcd woman, who sat In
the seat behind. :'Oh you must excuse mo
you must excuse mol" exclaimed. "pm
sold this time. Igive up. Do tell mo whom
you have been kissingi" "well," said he,
"since you are man Of 30 much taste. and
such quick perception, I willlctyou of." And
wc oil burst into good peal Of laughter As he
said, 'This Is my wife. have been waiting
here for her. knew that was safe PROPOSE
tion." Ho told the story to his wife. who look.
cd tenfold swcctcr when she heard II.
Before We reached Chicago wc exchanged
cards, and discovered that my genial COM
panion was an Episcopalian preacher Of Chica-
60, whose name had frequently heard. When.
ever 90 to Chicago always go to hear him.
and heartier. moro natural and moro eloquent
preacher II Is hard to find. Hc was then but .
young man /; he Is now well known as one Of
the sblest divincs Of the Episcopal dcnomins.
ton in tho West.