A GATHERING OF INNOCENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8759, 22 April 1890, Page 4

A GATHERING OF INNOCENTS.

A unique gathering took place a few months a<jo io one of the back State townships of Amerioa. Several fotes in honor of golden and silver weddings had followed one another in quick succession, and a number of e\My old bachelors, not to be out of the swim, conceived tho idea of giving a ball and banquet, to which none should be invited but those who had passed lifty years or more in single blessedness Invitations were accordingly ' issued, a most enjoyable evening resulted, and rumor hath it that more than on& venerable couple have decided upon joining issue in the near future. One incident occurred, however, which tedded to slightly mar the otherwise complete success of t\ie "notion." An impetuous, flighty, and fiery old maiden whose preseace had been solicited — whose uge for tho past ten years bad fluctuated in a most marvellous manner, between 40 aad 45, bnt who would never own op to a day more t'jan the latter — indignant at being invited, set out in a cold drizzling rain to waylay and chastise the '"mean old snake" who had fo designedly (to her mind) insulted her. She missed her game, but returned home •with a severe cold, and was laid up next day with a bad attack of rheumatism. On learning the occurrence, her would-bo host hastened to send her an explanation, together with a bottle of that famous painconqueror, St. Jacoba ©if, which, as it always does, so speedily relieved her sufferings, that in gratefulness of heart she surrendered unconditionally, accepted his apology and "mirabile dictu," attended the banquet.