Year: 1859

kissing is universally regarded as one of the
delightful aecompaniments of courting, but in
the instance we are about to relate as it was
communicated to us, the first kiss given at ran
dom and in the dark was more decided in its
! effects than hundreds frequently are when there
is light upon the subject.


There lived not many years ago respectable
and talented clergyman in one of the towns in
an Eastern State. He had been settled some
time and had got pretty well along in years,
when he became conscious that in reference to
worldly matters there yet remained one thing
needful to give him that weight of character
which it was desirable he should possess and
also to enhance, if not to perfect his earthly fe-
licity-namely, help-meet. Immediately on
the reception of this idea he began anxiously
to look about, but having neglected the impor-
tant matter so long, as might have been expec-
ted, he had imbibed many of those strange and
unaccountable notions so peculiar to the single
blessedness of either sex after they have attain
ed certain age; and these operated to his dis
advantage in such wise that he found it ex-
tremely difficult to select one at whose side he
thought he could, without any fearful forebo-
dings, stand before the altar or Hymen.


Now, it became known to the damsels about
the neighborhood that Mr.. Goodman was thus
circumstanced, and many there were who would
fain have relieved his embarrassment. Some
joined his church, and many more were seen to
blush like the first rose of summer, if in the
progress of his dispensations from the pull
pit, he should drop his eyes towards the pew
in which they were seated-though, of course,
they dared not acknowledge, even to themselves,
anything in particular, because of the great
doubt relative to the Uice versa of the case.


But, to make a short story shorter: Travel
ing into town one evening about dusk, Parson
Goodman had occasion to call at the mansion
of an esteemed parishioner, who among other
possessions, had two or three as fine daughters
as ever graced the country. He had scarcely
knocked at the door, when it was hastily open
ed by one of those blooming maidens, who, as
quick as thought, threw her arm around his
neck, and before he had time to say %, dontr
brought her warm delicate lips to his cheek
and gave him as sweet a kiss as heart OF swain
ever desired. In utter astonislment, the wor-
thy divine was endeavoring to stamm9r out
something, when the damsel exclaimed, oh!
mercyl mercy, Mr.. Goodman! is this you?-
Why l thought as much as could be it was my
brother Henryr 'Pshaw, pshaw,' thaught the
ceibate, you didn't think any such thing. =
But taking her hand, he said in a forgiving tone
there is no harm done. Don't give yourself
any uneasiness though you ought to be lit
tic more careful After this gentle reproof, he
was ushered into the parlor by the maiden, who,
as she came to the light, could not conceal the
deep blush that glowed on her cheek; and the
boquet that was pinnid on her bosom-for all
this happened in the summer time-shook like
flower garden in an earthquake. And when
he rose to depart it somehow fell to her lot to
wait upon him to the door, and may be added,
that in the entry they held discourse together
for some minutes-on what subject we know
not, neither does it matter.


As the warm-hearted pastor pursued his way
homcward, he argued with himself somewhat
in this wise: "lf Miss 1ngs knew it to be me
who knocked at the door-and l verify believe
she did, else how should she know me in the
dark defore l spoke-what does it all meat
And is it probable that her brother would
knock before entering? She must be dcsper
ately in - Pshaw! pshaw But sop-
pose she did think me her brother? Why, if
she loves a brother ut that rate, how much
more would she love husband ?"


We have only to add--it was not long after
this that Mr.. Goodman had occasion to sum-
mon a brother in the ministry to the perform
ance of one of the most solemn well pleas
ing duties attached to the sacred Office, and
the lovely Miss Inglis above spoken of there
upon became Mrs. Goodman.