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THE REASON.
A pleasant story is told about a minister of our
denomination, who obtained much notoriety in this
vicinity, a few years since, for his good-nature and keen
wit, and whose sayings are treasured still as choice
things to while away an hour withal, and make it pass
pleasantly. He now officiates acceptably a short distance
in the interior, and, from the following specimen,
we should deem that he had not departed from the
geniality of faith that erewhile distinguished him. A
widow lady of his acquaintance, who had sighed in her
loneliness for some years, had received a proposition to
marry again, and had made up her mind to accept; yet
she thought she would go through the form of asking
the advice of her friend the parson. He came in, one
day, and she broached the subject very delicately, by
intimating that she thought of improving her condition.
“My dear madam,” said he, looking admiringly at her
healthy form, “that, I think, would be impossible, as I
never saw you in finer condition in my life.” — “I
mean,” said she, blushing, “that I thought of changing
my situation.” — “Very injudicious,” said he, looking
out of the window; “your situation here is very fine,
and it would be hard to find a better.” — “You do not
divine my meaning, sir,” persisted she; “my little
Edward is now of an age when a father's authority is
essential for his control, and, having an advantageous
offer, I thought I should get married again.” This
was said so timidly, and the eyes were cast down so
sensitively, that it was very touching in the widow.
“Ah!” said he, “that is it, then; and so you are going
to get married to raise Ned, are you?” The crimson
deepened a little in the widow's cheek, and the light
the man that spoke the pleasantry, and she was not
angry. His congratulations and advice were given,
and she was happy.
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