Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-12-21
Sf(istellaneous.
The Professor Marrying a Cook.

The Professor Marrying a Cook.
Some years since, when l was in col
lege, we had amongst our ''f;,culty," a
curious parsonage, whom every one re-
garded with considerable respect, and yet
as character Sm geheraS. lie had lived
many years without wife, and expected
to live SO always. Indeed as he was the
professor of mathematics, the abstraction
of his science forbade his indulging in the
idea of getting married. To the female
sex, therefore, he showed no other regard
than common, politeness required. His
character was purely negative. OF course
he was not popular with the ladies, and
they kept themselves at a distance from
him. But circumstances that often bring
about match in other cases, placed him
in a peculiar dilemma. 1t seemed a whim
that a necessity was laid upon him to get
married. He was one Of the faculty of
the College-atl the other professors were
married and Obliged to entertain the dis
tinguished visitors of the Institution. He
never expected Of him that he should ever
give party or dinner. But it began to
be regarded as rather mean in him to shlrk
of this matter from year to year, and.
. well OFT AS he was pecuniarily, to throw
upon the other members of the faculty the
cost and trouble of entertaining the spe-
clal friends and patrons of the College
The question was, therefore, frequently
asked:
Why doesn't the old miser entertain
some Of the distinguished visitors that
visit usE''
Now, our professor wasn't a miser at
all and it often troubled him to think he
was situated that lac couldn't bear his part
OF the burden. And yet, what could he
do' Must he get married And if so,
to whom? He had no special regard for
any one in the vicinity OF the college and
no one had any special regard for him
In his younger days he had seen at school
young lady in the city Of New York, in
whom he had q peculiar interest. But Of
her he hadn't heard for years. Doubtless
before this time she was married, or in
her grave. Possibly, however, she was
It'll living and waiting for him GIori-
Gus thoughtl He was quite relieved at
it, though, indeed, there might be no foun-
dation for his relief Nevertheless, he
could make due inquiry Nor could he
long delay for commencement day was at
hand, only Il few weeks off II was his
turn, or rather would be if he was mar
red TO give the great dinners to the dis
tingulshed pcrsonagcs who would be pres
ent on the occasion. There would be the
Governor of the State, and his lady-the
trustees of the Institution and their
friends, and others of equal repute. But
who should be master of ceremonies
And who should grace the table? He
could square the circle perhaps, but such
a circle as this, what could he do with it
II he were only married, what helpmeet
would his wife be at such time And
yet, his wife must be a good looking, in
telligent, and accomplished LADY, other
wise the blank would be a blot
Now there was a young lady in the
neighborhood that the professor thought
might answer. He had seen her at his
boarding house, and spoken to her once
or twice.
''But, she may say no." and if she
did, ''wlere in creation," thought he,
g could | hide my head And then what
would become of the dining p The
Governor must have dinner and he must
have a wife. And hence he lay awake
about it all night. At last as the morn
ing broke he cried out to himself, '' Con-
temptl'' She will say no, will she!
Other men have lived through it, and l
shall. If not, | shall have asclear con-
science about the dinner, and clear con-
science is the main thing after all | will
write note to Miss A. any way. It
may be be she will regard it favorably.
30 the professor sat down and wrote a
note to Miss A. ''Stay minute said
he to himself, "what will the Governor
think OF the lady She is handsome and
polite, but can she converse? Can she
entertain company?'' Doubtful" said
he to himself, every doubtful - and so
he tore up the note Alas for a man
on the verge of matrimonyl In an hour
or two, however, the Professor called on
the President and said:
t'I should like to be absent for few
days?''
"Ah!' said the President, ejust at
this time? ?"
Yes sir, I have my classes in readi-
ness for the examination, and 1 wish to
90 to New York"
Has any death occurred in the fami
w." said the President