A Warm Reception for the Parson

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 559, 14 September 1889, Page 17

A Warm Reception for the Parson

The following story is told of a divine who, years ago, enjoyed great popularity in the north of England. He had been delivering a lecture.at a town some miles distant from his own home, and went to sup with a gentleman preparatory to returning by a late train. Host and guest were alike in the possession of a resplendently bald head. They found themselves so much to each other's mind that, on the latter starting up to catch his train, he was eagerly pressed to remain. " We can put you up comfortably for the night, and you will be able to get home as early as you like in the morning." After some hesitation, the reverend gentleman consented, and talk was kept up to a late hour. On retiring to his room he discovered that his bag had been left in the hall, whereupon he groped his way downstairs in the dark, and found it. As he cautiously pursued his way back he became suddenly conscious of a female figure on the step above him, and before he had time for further observations, he received a sounding slap on his bald head, while a voice, which he at once recognised as that of his hostess, said — " There, take that, for asking him to stay the night !" ... What the three personages contained in this little scene had to say to each other when the mistake was discovered— the lady who had administered the chastisement, the victim whose shining skull had been mistaken for that of her husband, or lhat gentleman himself — no historian, so far as we know, has ever recorded.

Police Sergeant : "Is the man dangerously wounded?" Irish Police Surgeon : " Two of the wounds are : mortal; but the third can be cured, provided' the man keeps perfectly quiet for at least six weeks."