A CHICAGO CLERGYMAN CAUGHT FLIRTING.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 159, 18 October 1876, Page 2

A CHICAGO CLERGYMAN CAUGHT FLIRTING.

Thk|“ Chicago Tribune ” says A few clays ago a well-meaning clergyman on the West Side read in the Tribune an account of the ingenius device of Father M’ Langhlin, who cured the young female members of his flock, at Norriston, Pern, of flirting in the street at night with strangers. As some of the parishioners of that ilk are giving to coughing when they meet a young man at dusk, and- to wearing their handkerchiefs. outside their pockets, the' worthy clergyman resolued to put into practice the same ingenious device. Accordingly, one night as it grew dark, he arrayed himself in faultless, fashionable costume, procured for the occasion, put a geranium in his button-hole and a cigar in his moiith, and sallied forth. He knew the shady street wore the giris most do and his intention was to engage the boldest of the

number in flirtation, induce hex to take a walk with him, and then having led her under a hmp post, to unmask and petrify her With shame, surprise, and awe. Uiihajjpily for the well-meaning clergyman, he had offended a cantankerous and suspicious deacon of his congregation, and this deacon had been “ laying low for him” for some time past, Friday night he happened to be passing by the parsonage just as the preacher came out, and at cnco recognised him in his fashionable disguise. “ Hallo, said he to himself, that’s the parson rigged out fit to kill.” “ HcJgr Ward I I wonder what’s afoot. i’ll watch him,” and he stole noiselessly after the well-meaning parson on the other side of the road. He had not proceeded many steps ere he encountered two brothers. These he induced to go with him, tolling them he was about to unmask a wolf m minister’s clothing, and he desired that at the mouth of two or three witnesses it might be established. They followed stealthily and soon saw a fashionably attired man in front of them pass abieast of a group of two or tlii'ee young women, Hem ! Hem !” floated in the evening air in a delicate treble cough, answered in a deep bass “ Hem!” from the fashionably attired mar, Then one of the young women giggled and pulled out her handkerchief in an apparently purposeless, but by no means purposeless manner,* and the young man did the same thing. Then at any rate the end of it was that the young man selected one ot the young ladies, and walked off with her.

Let tls notv return to our hero, the well-meaning clergyman. Having secured his prey, ho was moving towards the nearest lamp-post to petrify her with a dislosure of his identity when, to bis surprise, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and the voice of Deacon Spigh was heard, “ Brother Whitechoker, is this the conduct of a professing follower?” The unhappy man could offer no explanation, or none that did not aggravate the case, while the female partner of his guilt with a shriek fled into the darkness, dropping her handkerchief, which Deacon Spigh picked up. “ Go,” said he sternly to the preacher,. “ take off those filthy rags of unrighteousness, and rtfleet, upon your moral leprosy.” The preacher departed even wishing lie was dead, and when the next morning' arrived was wondering what method of committing suicide was most expeditious and least painful, when there was a ring at the bell and Deacon Spigh entered. Judge the good pastor’s surprise, when the deacon instead of upbraiding him, or demanding that he should step down or out, said humbly . “ Brother Whitechoker, we are commanded to forgive an erring brother seventy times seven times, I will not seek to enquire Into your motives. If you are innocent you have nothing to fear; if guilty your ottxi conscience Trill upbraid you. _A_s to the unhappy occurrence of last night, let us maintain a policy of silence, grace, mercy, and peace.” The astonished clergyman wept upon his neck, and would if necessary, have mortgaged his house for five thousand dollars, but the good Deacon said, “ We are all mortal,” and he took his leave. The good pastor does not know what caused the sudden change in the Deacon’s sentiments. The Tribune does. When Deacon Spigh got home he happened to look at the handkerchief, and was gratified beyond measure to discover that the name in the corner was that of his only daughter, who had been a professor since she was thirteen, and had a classin the Sunday school.