Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-07-13
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Chicago Clergyman that Kissed his
own Wife.

Hdrper's Weekly tells this story: I was
spending the night in hotel in FreepOrt, III.
After breakfast | went into the sitting room,
where met pleasant chatty, good -humored
traveller, who like myself, was waiting for
the morning train from Galena. We con-
versed freely and pleasantly on different top
les, until seeing two young ladies meet and
kiss each other in the statiGn just about the
time the train was approaching Come"
said he, taking up his carpet>bag; "since we
are on so sweet subject, let US have prao-
tical application. J. will make a proposition
to you. will agree to kiss the most beauti>
full lady in the cars from Galena, you being
the judge, if you will kiss the next prettiest,
being the judge"
This proposition staggered me little, and
could hardly tell whether he was in earnest
or in fun but-as he would be as deeply in it
as l could be, l agreed, providing he would
do the first kissing, though my heart failed
when l saw his jet black eyes fairly dance
with daring.
Yes said he, "Pll 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
stand by the one you think is the handsomest,
and then l will come in from behind and kiss
her"
I beheld at the first glance one of the love
liest-looking women my eyes ever fell upon.
\ beautiful blonde with auburn hair, and a
bright sunny face full Of love and sweetness,
and as radiant and glowing as the morning.
Any further search was totally unnecessary.
| Immediately took my stand in the aisle at
her side. She was looking out OF the window
earnestly, if expecting some one. The
back door Of the car opened, and in stepped
my hotel friend. | pointed my finger at her,
little dreaming that lie would carry out his
pledge. and you may imagine my horror and
amaZement when he stepped up quickly bs-
hind her, and STOPPING over her, kissed her
with relish that made my ''mouth water. "
l expected, of course, shrek Of terror aud
u row generally, followed Ly knock down ;
but aStonishment succeeded establishment
when l saw her return the kisses with at least
compound interest.
Quick as a flash he turned around and said ::
"Now, my dear sir it is your turn" point
ing at hideously ugly wrnkled old woman
who was sitting in the seat behind.
"Oh, you must excuse me-you must :" l
exclaimed Il am sold this time give up
Do tell me whom you have been kissing"
Well" said he, ''since you are a man Of
so much taste and quick perception, III let
you of And we all burst into hearty peal
of laughter as he said, This is my wife. l
have been waiting for her. l knew it was q
safe proposition"
He then told the story to his wife, who
looked ten-fold sweeter as she heard it.
Before we had reached Chicago we had ex-
changed cards, and i discovered that my ge-
nial companion was an EpiscopaIan preacher
of Chicago, whose had frequently
heard Whenever [ 90 to Chicago l always
90 to hear him, aud heartier, more natural
preacher is hard to find. He was then a
young man; he is now one of the ablest di-
vines Of the Episcopal denomination in the
! West.