TEN MINUTES FOR BREAKFAST.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1031, 16 November 1882, Page 3

TEN MINUTES FOR BREAKFAST.

A neat trick was once played upon a deputation from the Synod of Cleismaclaver, while on their way to the annual meeting of the General Assembly. The brethren had started by coach at an early hour, and had to travel some twenty miles before they reached the inn were breakfast was prepared for them. The keen air air of the northern lulls sharpen the appetite ; and when the brethren drove up to the inn they wore almost famished with hunger. ' Now, gentleman, just ten minutes for break-

fast !' said the (vacliman, as he entered the landlady's parlor to have his own. Ten minutes ! The time was short, so they must make the most of it. Thcv rushed into the room where the breakfast was spread, and there, basking his ample, person before, the fire, stood a portly gentleman, dressed somewhat like a d'gnitary of the Church of England. Their appetite was keener than their curiosity, so they scarcely looked at the stranger, but concentrated all their attention on the viands, ilalfway in the air, before the first morsel had reached their lips, their bands were arrested by a sudden ciy of Stop !' [t was the supposed Bishop of D—=—. 'Good gracious, gentlemen!'he exclaimed ; ' have you so far forgotten your sacred profession as to partake of food without invoking a divine blessing ?' The brethren looked like schoolboys detected in sum) flagrant fault; but, before they bad time to remonstrate or explain, t K .e same voice exclaimed in atone which enforced obedience,' Let us pray ! " They instinctively sprang to their feet, and assumed an attitude of decorous devotion, whiln the stranger offered up a prayer which they themselves admitted was superior to those of Dr JJrawlitout himself. He had only the ore fault—he did not know when to stop. Ten minutes sped rapidly away, but the stream of fervent supplication flowed ou without a break. They bad a terrible struggle, the brethren bad, as they closed one eye in devotion and ogled the savory viands with the other ; but, whenever a hand approached the table it drew back before the stern glance of the stranger, which seemed to comprehend them all. The sufferings of Tantalus were nothing to the sufferings of the deputation of Cleismaclaver, but all things must come to an and. ' Time is up, gentlemen!' said the coachman opening the door and wiping his mouth with the air of a man who has enjoyed bis breakfast. The appearance of the coachman and the sound of his familiar voice broke but there was no time to be lest ; the horses were shaking their heads and pawing the ground in their impatience to start ; so they had to take their seats and turn breakfast and dinner into one. ' Was that the Bishop oi D V said one of the famished brethren ' That the Bishop of D ! said the coachman contemptuously ; ( why that was Lord P , the maddest wag in all the kingdom.'