"Those people are so persistent! The idea of her forcing herself into our pew! Isn't that voluntary lovely? There's Dr. —— coming out of the vestry. Is he not grand?"
"Splendid! What a stately man! You know he has promised to dine with us while he is here."
He was a commanding looking man, and as the organ voluntary stopped, and he looked over the great crowd of worshipers gathered in the vast church, he seemed to scan every face. His hand was on the Bible when suddenly he leaned over the reading desk and beckoned to the sexton, who obsequiously mounted the steps to receive a mysterious message. And then the three ladies in the grand pew were electrified to see him take his way the whole length of the church to return with the old woman, when he placed her in the front pew of all, its other occupants making willing room for her. The great preacher looked at her with a smile of recognition, and then the services proceeded, and he preached a sermon that struck fire from every heart.
"Who was she?" asked the ladies who could not make room for her, as they passed the sexton at the door.
"The preacher's mother," was the reply.
THE RETORT DIS-COURTEOUS.
BY JAMES CLARENCE HARVEY.
Mr. Michael McGlynn, of Dublin town,
And Dinny O'Doyle, of Kildare,
Through the streets of the city, went up and down,
A remarkably guileless pair.
Said Michael to Dinny: "Me darlin' bhoy,
Since the roise o' the mornin' sun,
Niver a dhrop or a boite have Oi,
Oi think I could ate a bun."