Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1859 — Swapping Wives. [ARTICLE]

Swapping Wives.

There lived in Beardstown, Cass county, 111., a small family—the parents and three children—the husband being a carpenter by trade, not very persevering, but. still made a comfortable, living. TVlamiiy appeared to lie happy, and to live very agreeable. Some time in the fall of 1857, they were visited by a relative from Richmond, Indiana. The relative was no less than a sister ot tho wife oi the family alluded to—gay, good looking, and very winning in her ways. She spent, her time quite agreeably, but was noticed by some to pay particular attention to tho husband. Still, the family circle was not disturbed. She returned to her home in Indiana, after a few weeks’ social visiting. On tho sth of April following, (1858) the husband concluded that Beardstown had a poor show for improvements, and that he would seek work elsewhere. Accordingly he made his arrangements to leaye, and was rather more liberal in the way of providing for his family than usual before talcing his leave. Weeks passed, and that family heard no tidings of (he carpenter in search of work. The first intimation received was that he had repaired to Richmond, Indiana, where his sister-in-law lived, and informed her husband that be was on his way to Pittsburg, Pa., to visit his mother-in-law. The wife concluded that it would be a favorable time for her also to visit her mother, and that she would go with her brother-in-law. It would be such a favorable time. The husband consented, and the parties prepared for their intended trip; hut instead of visiting Pittsburgh, they left for parts unknown. The facts becoming fully known, the wife despaired of ever seeing her husband, brought suit for a divorce, and at the last March term of the Circuit Court for this county, was divorced from her husband, Leroy She has lived in Beardstown until last Monday, industrious and respectable, when she, with her family, started for Indianapolis, Ind., where hor brother-in-law resides, (Mr. Win. JL Higgins) who was so unfortunate as to lose his wife, he baaing also obtained a divorce; and strange to say, to-day Mr. Higgins is to he married to Mrs. Taylor. This seems to be a failexchange. Taylor runs off with Higgins’ wife, and now Higgins marries Taylor’s wife. Higgins appears to have the best of the bargain—the best woman, and the three children to boot. Rather strange occurrence this.— Beardstown Democrat. o^7”A* l Irishman was goimg along the road, when an angry bull rushed down upon him, and, with his horns, tossed him over a fence. The Irishman recovering from his fall, upon looking up saw the huh pawing and tearing up the ground, (ns is tho custom of tho animal wUep irritated) whereupon Pat, smiling at him, said, “If it was not for your bowing and scraping and your humble apologies, you brute, faix I should think that you had thrown me over this fence o,n purpose ! ’ ’

A Good CUoir Story. An exchange paper publishes the following very readable story about “choir,” music I in a Western church: The choir, in the West, has had a severe struggle for life, especially in the Methodist churches. The old style was a “brother” to “lead the singing,” while the hymn was lined by the minister. No song monopoly there. No operatic fee flaw sum. 111 1841 the action of.the General Conference was such as to lead to the formation of the Methodist Church South, and, under Dr, Schon, a southern Church was organized in Cincinnati, and its place of worship known as Soule Chapel. The first General Conference of the new organization was held in Petersburg, Va., and a large number of “Delegates” spent tiie Sabbath preaching in Cincinnati, and worshiped at Soule Chapel. On the Sabbath, tho noted Dr. (now Bishop) Pierce was to preach the morning sermon, and expectation stood on tip-toe. The house was crowded. The singing was lead by the prince of choristers, John G n; and by his side sat his honor. Judge McLane, who joined heartily in the worship. After the opening service, the pastor stepped to BishSoule, and asked him if he would enter the pulpit and conduct the concluding services. He declined, and suggested Dr. II —r, an antique little man, with sharp features, set astrid a sharp? nose, a sharp cut coulee, and a sharp appearance generally. J)r. Schon approached him, and said, in low tones: “Dr. II , will you conduct the closing exercises!” : “Yes, sah,” was the response; showing the'effect of association upon his dialect; and entering the pulpit, he took his scat. The sermon was all that could have bs-cn desired! it more than met expectation, and the preacher sat down amidst great excitement. Dr. 11 seemed to think that an exhortation from himself would he a glorious climax; and briskly arising, by run. bunt -; n | ian( j advanced to the fron t of the (pulpit, and, with his pecupronunciation, began: “How thankful, friends, ought we (oho To Him who brought us here to see ! This lovely Sabbath niornin.” G— n, the chorister, never dreamed ot an exhortation after that sermon; and catching the lines as Dr. II read them, found them “fourth particular meter,” rose, with the Judge by his side, and started the tune so often sung to that glorious old Lvmn, “Gome on' my partners in dint res.” Louder and louder rolled his clear, strong voice over that sea of heads: “How thankful, friends, ought we to be, &c.” Poor I)r. II was bewildered. Turning to Dr. ,Schon, he said: “Sah, they are singing my exhortation!” “Never mind,” said Schon, whose face, always rubicund, was seven times redder than its wont; “never mind; wait till thy’re through.” “But, sah, they are singing my exhortation !” By this time John and. the Judge were through, repeat and all, and looked up most ! patiently for Dr. II to “give out more.” 1 lie, however, looked at them steadily, and ! laid down his book, saying: j “Well, you’re the greatest singers hero I | ever heard! You not only sing a man’s hymn, but sing his exhortation, too! Let's | pro))." llow fervently the minister and audience joined in that prayer may be imagined. Dr. Schon forgot his notices; and they do say that to tills day G n insists that exhortations, if ever so good, ought not to be set to “two-eighths and one-sixth.”