A GATHERING OF INNOCENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8758, 21 April 1890, Page 4

A GATHERING OF INNOCENTS.

A unique gathering took place a few months as»o 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 number of giddy old bachelors, not to be out of the bwiuc, conceived the idea of 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, a most enjoyable evening resulted, and rumor hath it that more than one venerable couple have decided upon joiniag issue in the near future. One incident occurred, however, which tended to slightly mar the otherwise complete success of the "notion." An impetuous, flighty, and fiery old maiden whose prese»ce had been solicited — whose age for the past ten years had fluctuated in a most marvellous manner, between 40 and 45, but who would never own up to a day more than the latter — indignant at being invited, set out in a cold drizzling; rain to waylay and chastisp the "mean old Bnake" who had ho designedly (to her mind) insulted her. She missed her game, but returned home with a severe cold, and waß laid up next day with a bad attack of rheumatism. On learning the occurrence, her would-be host hastened to send her an explanation, together with a bottle of that famous painconqueror, St. Jacobs oil, which, as it always does, so speedily relieved her sufferings, that in gratofulnees of heart sho surrendered unconditionally, accepted his apology and "mirabilo dicta," attended the banquet.