The Portland daily press., 1865-02-17
Friday Morning. Feb. II, 1866.
The Professors Choice.

Ine fr0t6ss0fS Uh0ice.
Some years since, when was in college, we
had amongst our faculty. curious person
age, Whom every one regarded with consider
aDle respect, and yet as character Sui qeReriS
He had lived many years without wife, and
expected to live SO always. Indeed, as he was
lhe Professor OF mathematics. the abstraction
OF his science forbade his indulging in the idea
OF getting married. To the female sex, there
lore, ne showed no other regard than common
pollteness required. His characrer was plre-
~ negative. OF course he was not popular
with the ladies, and they kept themselves at a
distance from him. But circumstances that
oiten brought about a match In other cases.
placed him in peculiar dilemma 1tseemed
whlm that necessity was laid upon him TO
get married. He was one of the faculty of the
college-ail the other professors were married
and obliged to entertain the distinguished Wis.
itors OF the institution. He had always board
ca. vi course 1t wasn't ever expected of him
to give party or dinner. But it began to be
regarded as rather mean in him to shirk of
this matter from year to year, and well off as
he was pecuniarily,' to throw upon the other
members OF the faculty the cost and trouble of
entertaining the special friends and patrons of
the college, The question was, therefore, fire.
quently asked:
why doesn't the old miser entertain some
OF the distinguished visitors that visit us
Now, our professor wasn't miser at all, and
1t often troubled him that he was so situated
that he couldn't bear his part of the BURDEN
! And yet, what could he do? Must he get
married? And if so, to whomo 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 felt peculiar interest. But of
her he had not heard for years. Doubtless
before this time she was married or in her
grave. Possibly, however, she was still living
and waiting for him! Glorious thought He
was quite relieved at it, though, indeed, there
might be no foundation for his relief. Never
theless he could make due inquiry. Nor
could he long delay, for commencement day
was at hand, only few weeks off, 1t was his
turn, or rather would be il he was married, to
give the great dinner TO the distinguished per-
sonages who would be present 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 reptts. But
who should be master of ceremonies? and
who should grace the table? He couldsquare
the circle, perhaps, but such circle as this,
what could be do with it? If he were only
married what helpmeet would his wife be at
such time. And yet, his wife must be good
looking, intelligent and an accomplished lady;
otherwise the blank would be a bloti
NOW there was young lady in the neigh
borhood that the professor thought might an
swer lie had seen her at his boarding house,
and spoken to her once or twice.
But she may say no, and If she did, where
in creation,' thought he, could I hide my
head? And what would become Of the din
ner? The Governor must have dinner and
he must have wife. And hence he lay
awake about it all night. At last as the morn
ing broke he cried out to himself, Contempt! !
She will say no, win shell What then? Other
men have lived through it and | shall. II not
shall have clear conscience about the din
ner, and clear conscience is the main thing,
after all! l will write 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 :?
Doubtful; said he to himself, very doubtful; >
and SO he tore up the note. Alas for a man
on the verge of matrimonyl Iu an hour or
Two the professor called on the President and
said:
Il should like TO be absent few days.
'Ahp said the President, just at this time p
Eyes, sir, / have my classes in readiness for
the examination, and | wish to go to New
York.
Has any death occurred in the family
said the President. hH
NO sir said the Professor; 'but l have q
little matter Of business that requires my i'm
mediate attention, and thought it best to
go.' u a.sHl
You have my best wishes, said the Pres
ident, and may you return safely and not
alone Ttxa IL d.
The Professor almost smiled, but blushed
rather than smiled, and left the President, and
hastened to New York. .lf
His first inquiry, on his arrival there, was
for Miss Adeline G., the young lady whom he
had seen some years before, at school, as we
have mentioned.
Why said the respondent, the family has
been reduced, and she is a cook. Perhaps you
don't know it, sirP'
"A cook, said he; that is just what want
1OhP said the lady, we thought you wanted
something else, possibly g,rv ,7ol a
No, have been half starved to death since
left New York, and want some one to cook
decently.'
well, she can do that, for she scarcely has
her equal in that line in this city. Why sir,
she is a cook, par erceLience'
'And how does she look?.
She is the handsomest cook in the city,
too.'
Not quite that, presume' said the Pro-
fessor, but is she intelligent 2-I speak conf
dentially.'
Intelligent She is, indeed-she can con-
verse like an angel 5sas5
And as 10 manners. Is she accomplished? |?
AS graceful as an actress
when can I see her?,
AT eight O'Clock this evening"
Couldn't see her before that hour?' 8I
Il think that would be the most convenient
time for her to call, and to see YOU
Il will wait, then. Please to tell her that
Professor Mack, of Virginia, wishes to see
her-an old acquaintance Of hers'
Shall | tell her that you wish to engage :
cook p
'You may tell her that wish to see her,
said the Professor.
What name did you say
Professor Mack, of Virginia, If you please
madam
An everlasting long day was before him
and he had nothing to do; not proolem t
solve, except the one in hand, ana tnat wa
one of doubtful solution.
Eight o'clock at last came, and the Pr0iess
or called again to see the young lady.
"A cook, indeedp said the Professor to HID
self; she is a splendid woman, fit to grace an
sparlor in the worldp But how in creatio
should he make known his business? Poet
they say, begin in the middle of their story
but professors of mathematics, where do the
begin? Finally, said the suitor, Miss G
how would you like to go to Virginia?
TO VirginiaP said she, as If surprised
sAre you not mistaken in the person whoI
Won wished to seeP, ~
NO, no., said he; don't you remembe
when we attended school in Franklin street
'Oh., said SIZE. tits George Mack-I remcu
ber you well; why, didn't know that 70