This piece shows how bad spelling and punctuation can cause confusion (and hilarity!).
“The husband of a pious woman, having occasion to make a voyage, his wife sent a written request to the parson of the parish; which, instead of spelling and pointing properly, viz:
“A person having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation;”
She spelt and pointed as follows:-
“A person having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation.”
The parson (who had not examined the contents of the paper) gave it out accordingly.”
Stamford Mercury 17th May, 1805.