A GATHERING OF INNOCENTS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8789, 27 May 1890, Page 4

A GATHERING OF INNOCENTS.

A unique gathering took place a few moHtbß r acro in one of the back State townships of America. Several fetes in hono of golden and silver weddings had followed oue another in quick succession, •nd a number if giddy old bachelors, not to bo out of the swiuc, 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 joining 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 presence had been solicited — whose age for the past ten years had fluctuated in a mo9t marvellous manner, between 40 and 45, but who would never own op to a day more than the latter — indignant at being invited, set out in a cold drizzlins rain to waylay and chastis* tho ''mean old snake" who had po designedly (to her mind) insulted her. She missed her gnuie, but returned home with a eevero cold, and was laid np next day with a bad attack of rheumatism. On learning the occurrence, her would- ba host hastened to Bend her an explanation, together with a bottle of that famous painoonqneror, St. Jacobs oil, which, as it always does, so speedily relieved her suffering?, tt>at in gratefulness of heart she surrendered unconditionally, accepted his apology and "inirabile dictu," attended the banquet.