The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-19
JIM SEALED THAT vow.
lAlex. E. Sweet, in Texas sif.ings.l

One day last week went over to Ocean Grove, which is on the New Jersey edge of the Atlantic ocean, about two hours ride on the cars from New York, if you take the right cars, otherwise the distance is much greater.
 Ocean Grove is the great camp-meet- ing roundup of the Methodists, and is beautiful place. The neat, tasty houses and airy tents are shaded by trees the air IS cool and fresh, and the blue sky and still bluer Atlantic ocean are lovely be- yond description, but what makes an inc delible impression on the mind of the visitor iL warm weather is, that root beer, vile temperance drench, is the only kind of liquid refreshments to be obtained on the ground. All other kinds of beer are sinful. It is my opinion that the man who will drink root beer more than once will do to watch.
 An atmosphere of piety and goodness pervades Ocean Grove that is almost op- pressive even on week days. The names ofthe streets are characteristic. noticed such names as Supplication avenue, Righteous street. Hosanna Place, Doxol- ogy avenue, Pilgrims Pathway, Apostles Stroll, Inspiration Ramble, Salvation al- ley and over bench was sign of Saints Rest.
 A solemn-looking stranger with faded gripsack, asked little girl with a poke bonnet on Supplication avenue, where S,s- ter Jones, of Fort Wayne, Ind, was stopping, and the answer was that she was living oH the corner of Population Boulevard and Orthodox street. These names sound queer to the stran. ger, almost as queer, in fact, as the names Mexicans give their children. Did you ever read the story about that American who was told by the latter that whenever he needed anything to call on Jesus It turned out that that was the name of one of the servants.
 In the middle of Ocean Grove there is an immense roofed building which is open at the sides. At one end of the en. closed space is kind of platform on which were seated large number of well-dressed people, among them many serious-looking old gentlemen. At one end of the platform was reading desk, on which was an overgrown bible, pre- sumably. A young man in a tight-but- toned coat, walked up and down the plat form, singing his arms around and warning sinners in a loud voice. The tabernacle was crowded with people, and l could perceive none of the excitement peculisr to camp-meeting, but it was only four o'clock in the afternoon, which, as they say in Texas, is only the shank of the evening.
 did not pay very close attention to what the preacher was saying, for was thinking about funny story read three or four years ago about this very Ocean Grove. The tents are large and neatly iu ,nished, and back of each tent is a frame kitchen. These rows of tents are not more than twenty yards from the taber- nacle, and being quite close together, the conversation that takes place in one tent can be heard in the next. The story is as follows:
 There is good deal of pious flirting going on, and it seems that a young couple had become engaged, somehow or other. Before retiring to his tent the young man whose name was Jim, conversed with Carrie, somewhat after this fashion:
 Now, Carrie, let me seal that VOW be- fore ge."
 "No, James, cannot think of it. h. deed it would be quite wrong. Wha, would Deacon Smith say2'
 But, Carrie, we are engaged you know. Let me seal that VOW, Carrie"
 "No, James, it would not be proper"
 "Come, Carrie, let me seal that vow"
 Just at this crisis the voice of Carries brother was heard in the back part of the tent. for he lifted it up and said:
 For goodness sake, Carrie, let linn seal that VOW, or none of us will get wink of sleep tonight"
 The VOW was sealed.
 This is the story was thinking about while l was wandering around the taher- nacle. believe the incident actually oc- cured, for met young couple who looked as if they might be Jim and Car rie. i'm was carrying a baby, and heard him say to little boy who Jagged behind:
 Jim, ifyou don. go on ahead I'll dis ciphne you when get you home."
 He was undoubtedly the identical Jim who sealed that VOW.