for they were all without backs, the reason of which
soon became apparent.

The meeting had commenced, and the minister was preaching, but it must be
confessed that there was little heed given to his words, for the attention
of the people was attracted to the centre of the church, where a number of
people were already under the peculiar influence; but our little party,
being at a distance, watched the proceedings with a feeling of safety, yet
not unmixed with fear and dread.

Presently a young girl about seventeen or twenty, who sat in a seat quite
near, began to be affected, and all eyes were turned in her direction. She
was dressed in what was probably called in her neighborhood the "height of
style." On her head was a saucer-like bonnet of the "gypsy style," covered
with large artificial flowers, which drooped over a chignon of such
remarkable dimensions that it must have required a multitude of hairpins to
keep it together; but her bonnet helped to keep it in place, as strings of
ribbon were placed at the back, then brought forward under her chin in a
flaring knot.

The peculiar actions of these people are well named "the jerks." In this
instance the hands seemed to be the first part affected; a slight twitching
was soon followed by a quicker movement, then her feet jerked about as if
she were dancing a jig; a moment more and she flung her arms around wildly,
while her head began to shake in quick time to the movements of the hands
and feet. This soon loosened her chignon, the ingredients of which flew in
as many directions, and her hair swept wildly about her face. Her bonnet
fell at the back of her neck, but being held by the strings it bobbed up
and down her back like an animated nosegay. She accompanied her movements
with shrieks and screams that were better suited to a madhouse than a place
of worship, and when exhausted nature finally succumbed, she fell back
against those seated behind, who, very good-naturedly, it must be
confessed, for she weighed more than a trifle, helped her to regain her
senses and her seat. When she was able to sit up, her neighbors on either
side handed back the articles of wearing apparel and pieces of headgear
that she had scattered about, and the girl made a fresh toilet, as well as
the limited stock of hairpins allowed.

A number of other cases equally startling were taking place in different
parts of the church, and the backless seats were explained. It certainly
was less dan