Year: 1874

The incident am about to relate oc-
Cured in a newly-settled portion of
Michigan, something more than twenty
years ago. There was young man in
our neighborhoodb by the name of Ephraim.
he was worthy and exemplary young
man, but one Of that unfortunate class
who find it so difficult to get into the
"good graces" of the fair sex. It was
generally believed that Ephraim wanted
wife, yet none of the girls seemed anx-
ious to secure the position. After awhile,
he began to pay particular attention to
daughter OF Deacon r., pretty and in
telligent young woman, who appeared to
regard his suit with favor, and Ephraim
was happy; at least he ought to have
been. About this time a Congregational
society was formed at village near, and
a preacher from a distance was hired to
minister unto the people in spiritual mat
ters. Deacon r., being one of the lead
ing members of the society, and no doubt
feeling commendable interest in the
welfare of his ncighbors, invited the new
minister to hold occasional meetings at
our school-hOuse, to which he readily
consented, and one Sunday, not long after
ward, our little school-house was we'll
filled with listeners, who were seated in
accordance with the good old custom, the
men on one side of the house and the
women on the other. The seats on both
sides faced the center of the room, so
that with little care in their selection
John and Susan could gaze at each other
all through "mcctin' without ever turn
ing their heads, and thus avoid those un-
reaching home: Well, as I was saying,
the house was nearly full, and services
had commenced; the first prayer was over
and the first hymn had been sung when
the deacon and his family entered. The
daughter was no sooner seated than
Ephraim, not satisfied with the prospect
of gazing, bounded from his seat, crossed
the room with heavy strides and sat down
beside her. She looked amazed, and, ris-
ing hurriedly. passed to another seat, but
Ephraim, nothing daunted, sprang after
her with surprising agility, and was once
more safely seated by her side. There
were merry twinkles in other eyes than
those belonging to the young folk and
something like smile fitted over many
face. Just then the minister, who had
been waiting for the newcomers to get
seated, arose to announce his text, and,
surveying his mirthful audience with
calm dignity, said in solemn and COM
manding voice:


Let Ephraim alone, for he is joined to
his idols"


The effect of this can better be imag-
ined than described. Ephraim's face
glowed like furnace, and the whole
congregation fairly shook with suppressed
laughter. The minister not being per
sonally acquainted with his hearers, was
in no way responsible for the aptness of
his text, but don't think his sermon that
day was of much benefit to the young
people, whatever it was to the older ones
For my own part confess to being very
glad when the services were ended and
l found myself we'll out on the home
ward road where I could indulge in
good, hearty laugh without feeling as
though was committing an unpardon-
able sin, and guess there were others
in the same fix. But, alas for poor Eph-
rain! l'nevcr knew why it was, but he
went no more to see the deacon's daugh-
ter. However, he is in no need of our
sympathy; he married we'll few years
later and leads happy and prosperous
lifc.-Our Fireside Friend.