Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1891 — HARROW ESCAPE. [ARTICLE]

HARROW ESCAPE.

A Baptist Minister Who Was AlWas Ready for Business. 1 AVermont Baptist minister, who is net too grave and dignified to eujoy a joke even when it is on himself, narrates a Lidicrous incident in hi a early life. Soon nfter being settled over a new congregation, he one day received a noteaJcing him to be at home that evening :it eight o’clock. The writer added that he was intended to.be married ujt tuat hour, aud would .call at the parsonage with his bride, it was but a few minutes before eight when the door bell rang, and a moment later a servant announced that a young couple awaited the minister in the parlor. Going down into the parlor, accompanied hy his wife, the pastor, found a neatly dressed, intelligent appearing young man, and a bright-looking young woman, who rose to receive him. “l am Mr. Homer,” said the young man, “and this is Miss Cross.” Haviug another engagement for the evening, the minister said, immediately; “Ireceived your note this morning,. auil we will proceed with the ceremony at once. Please join vour right hands.” In great bewilderment," vhioh the minister mistook 'or natural embarrassment, the young couple timidly clasped hands; and the eei mony was about to begin:; wrfrqin' - the young mail said; “I—wo - what ceremony is it?” “Why, the ceremony of marriage, of course.'' “G-o-o-h!” shrieked the young lady, withdrawing her hand <nd covering her facu with her handkerchief. “I don’t understand 1 this at nil,” said the young man, siiarpiy; “we came -.here simply -—an a committee from the Young People's Society of the Methodist church, to ask you and your wife to be -present at a public entertainment we are about to give, and-” It is now the minister’s turn lo be astonished, but at that moment the maid ushered in the right couple.