THE MAN WHO KISSED THE THREE


GIRLS
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young man VII" boarded at a house in
the country, where were several city damsels,
wbO seemed to Imagine that men are terrible
creatures, whom it was an unpardonable sin
10 look at, was one afternoon accosted by on
acquaintance, asked what he thought Of the
young ladies' with whom he boarded He
replied they were very shy and reserved.
&c So they are," returned the other, {" and so
much 50 ,ha, no gentleman could get near
enough 10 tell the color oftheir eyes,


&C Iha. they may be- said the boarder,
"yet will stake million tha, can kiss
them all three, wiIhou, any troubIe.''


&c That you cannot do," cried his friend
" ii is an achievement which neither you nor
any other man can accomplish"


The other was positive, and invited his
friend TO the house 10 witness his triumph.
They entered the room together, aud the three
girls were all at home sitting beside their
mother, and they all looked prim aud demure
as John Rodgers at the stake.


Our hero assumed very grave aspect,
even TO detection, and having looked wis,fully
at the clock, breathed sigh as deep as Alge-
bra, aud as long as female dialogue a, a
street door. His singular department now
attracted The attention Of the gi'ls, who cast
their slow opening eyes. up to his counten
ance. Perceiving the Impression he had
made, he turned to his companion aud said,
''lt wants three minutes of The ti,ne!'


Do you speak Of dinner :" said the old
lady, laying down her sewing work.


'' Dinner - said he, with bewildered as
cuiied toTefDger, at the clock.


pa,t oi her household gared ut the Young man
with i,rep,essbe curiosity.


sYou will see me decen,ly in,etred,' said
he, again turning to his friend.


His friend was much puzzled as an,
body present. and his embarrassment adJed
10 the intended effect but the old lady, being
no longer able to contain herself, cried.


Mr. c., pray what do you speak Of ,


No,hing,' answered he, in a nsub,iou.
tone, " but that las, III ght spi,i, appeared
unto me-" Here the .i,ls rose TO their fee
and drew near. "And the spirit gave IN
warning tina, should die exactly at twelve
o'clock to-day, aud you SEQ i, wants bu, halt
minute of the time -


The girls turned pale, aud their hdd"
sympathies were at ouce awakened for tn
doomed. They stood chained to the spo
looking slternalely a, the clock aud a, the u,
fortunate youth. He then walked up TO 1t
eldest Of the si's, aud taking her by the han
bade her solemn farewell. He also ii,
printed kiss upon her trembling lips. whie
abe did not attempt TO resist. lie ,hon bae
the second and third farewell, in the san
tender and affsc,ioua,e manner. His ohje
was achieved, and that moment tho cloc
struck twelve. - Hereupon he looked aroun
surprised, and calculated, i" Nho would ha,
believed that an appari,ion would tell such
lie u was probably the ghos, Of Annani;
or Sapphire"


1t was some time before the sober ,naide,
understood the JOKE, and when they did, ,h
eviuced no resentment. Tue first kiss hro]
the ice; aud. thanks to the ghost, they disco
ed there some pleasure in beard
cheek.