Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-08-21
/, A Clergyman's Joke.

FrecpOrt, Illinois. After breakfast went
isto the sitting room, where met pleas
ant, chatty, good-humorcd traveller, who,
iikc myself was waiting for the morning
tsain from Galena. We conversed freely
ed pleasantly on different topics, until
seeing two young ladies meet and kiss each
ether in the street, just about the time the
asam was approaching the station.
~" Come" said he taking up his carpet
lag, "since VIC are On so sweet subject,
1T Us have practical application. I'll
make proposition to'you. l will agree to
kiss the most beautiful lady in the cars
from Galcna, you being the judge, if you
will kiss the next prettiest, l being the
Judge
This proposition staggered me little.
and | could hardly tell whether he was in
earnest or fun; but as he would be as deep
ly in itas | could be, agreed, provided
he would do the first kissing, though my
heart failed somewhat when I saw his jet
black eyes fairly dance with daring.
eyes, said he, III try it first. You
take the back car, and go in from the front
end where you can sec the faces of the Ia
dies, and stand by the one you think the
handsomcst and then | will come in from
behind aud kiss her.
had hardly stepped inside the cars
when | saw ut the first glance one of the
lovc.iest-looking women my eyes ever fell
upon. \ beautiful blonde, with auburn
hair, and Il bright, sunny face full of love
and sweetness. and as radiant and glowing
as the morning. Any further search was
totally unnecessary. l Immediately took
my stand in the aisle by her side. She
was looking out of the window earnestly
us ifcxpecting some one. The back door
Of the car opened and in stepped my hotel
friend. Ipointcd my finger at her, little
dreaming that he would dare carry out his
pledge, and You may imagine my horror
and amazcmcnt when he stepped up quick
ly behind her, and STOPPING over her,
kissed her with a relish that made my
"mouth water" | expected, of course,
shrek Of terror, and row generally, fol-
lowed by a knock down; but astonishment
succeeded astoniShmcnt when saw her
return the kisses with at least compound
interest.
Quick as flash he turned around and
s.id---
Now, my dear sir, it is your turn"
pointing at a hi,lcously ngly, wri"klcd old
woman who was sitting in the seat behind.
oh, You must excuse me! you must"
I hastily exclaimed. IL am sold this tune.
I give up. DO tell NE whom you have
been kissing!" "''| '"i
"Well,' said he. "sincc you are man
Of SO much taste, and such quick pcrcep-
tion, Ill let you off, And We all burst
into hearty peal Of laughter, as he said !:
g This is my wife. have been waiting
for her. knew it was safe proposi-
tiou"
lie then told the story to his wife, who
looked ten-fold swectcr as she heard it. IS
Before we reached Chicago VIC had ex-
changed cards, and. l discovered that my
genial companion was an Episcopalan
preacher Of Chicago whose name I had
frequently heard. Whenever l 80 to Chi
cayo l always go to hear him, aud = heart
icr, more natural preacher is hard to find.
lie was then young man ho is now one
of the ablcst divines Of the Episcopal de-
nomination in the West. b9f4obe