Suddenly we heard a knock at the door; Tabby rose and opened it.

An old man appeared, standing without, who accosted her thus:-- "_Old Man_.--'Does the parson live here ?' "_Tabby_.--'Yes.' "_Old Man_.--'I wish to see him.' "_Tabby_.--'He is poorly in bed.' "_Old Man_.--'I have a message for him.' "_Tabby_.--'Who from ?' "_Old Man_.--'From the Lord.' "_Tabby_.--'Who ?' "_Old Man_.--'The Lord.

He desires me to say that the Bridegroom is coming, and that we must prepare to meet him; that the cords are about to be loosed, and the golden bowl broken; the pitcher broken at the fountain.' "Here he concluded his discourse, and abruptly went his way.

As Tabby closed the door, I asked her if she knew him.

Her reply was, that she had never seen him before, nor any one like him.