A GATHERING OF INNOCENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8756, 18 April 1890, Page 4

A GATHERING OF INNOCENTS.

A uniqr.e <jatherin» took place a few months ago iv one of the back State townships of America. Several fetes in honor of golden and silver weddings had followed one another in quick succession, and a nnmnor oC giddy old bachelors, not to be out of the switr., conceived the idea sf giving a ball and banquet, to which none should be invited but those who had passed fifty years or more in single blessedness Invitations were accordingly issued, v most enpyable evening resulted, and rumor hath it that more than one venerable couple have decided upon joining issue in the near future. One incident occurred, however, which tended to slightly mar the otherwise complete success of t'ae ''notion." An impetuous, ilighty, and fiery old maiden whose presence had been solicited — whose age for the past ten years had fluctuated in a most marvellous manner, bttween 40 aad 45, but who would never own up to a day more tban the latter — indi.'innt at being invited, set out in a cold dm^liuj; rain to waylay and chaatisf tho ''im-au old snake" who had ko designedly (to her tniud) insulted her. She missed her gsim-?, but returned home with a severe cold, and was laid up next day with a bid uttuck of rheumatism. On learning tho occurrence, her would-be hoßt hastened to Bend her an explanation, together with a bottle of that fumons painconquaror, St. Jacobs oil, which, as it always does, so speedily relieved her Bufferinzs, that in gratefulness of heart she surrendered unconditionally, acc°pted his apology and "mirabile dictu," attended the banquet.