Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-23


How N GuiIeIcss Professor Pro-
posed and was Accepted in an
Hour.
A correspondent OF the Indianapolis
Herald tells the following anecdote OF
Professor Foster, who filled with much
ability one of the chairs of the Faculty
of the college in Knoxville, Tenn:
Professor Foster was well educated in
the sciences usually taught in college,
but his ignorance of the common affairs
of life rendered him remarkable man,
furnishing rare subject for the study
of human nature in one of its multiform
phases. Being advised by some of his
friends to get married, he, with childlike
faith and simplicity, accepted their ad-
vice, and promised to do so if he could
find young lady willing to have him.
They referred him to number of the
best young ladies in the city, any one OF
whom, they had no doubt, would be
willing to accept his hand and make him
happy. He was one Of the most kind
hearted of men, as void of guile as Of
offense, and an entire stranger to the
forms and ceremonies of modern court
ship. He couldn't see the necessity Of
consuming a year or two in popping the
question" Sally, will you have meY'
So he went that very day TO the resi-
dence of the nearest young lady who
had been commended, and being vel
coined and seated in the family circle,
as he always was wherever known, he
at once made known the object of his
visit by saying in clear and distinct
voice:
"Well, Miss Sarah, my friends have
advised me to get married. and they
recommend you and a number of other
young ladies to me as suitable persons,
and | have now called to see if you are
willing to marry me.
Had an earthquake violently shaken
the premises the household could not
have been more astonished. Like a
frightened roe, Sarah started to run,
when her mother caught her, and said
" why, child, don't be frightened, the
Professor won't hurt you"
Being again seated, deep blush sue
eeeded the paleness which had been
caused by the startling announcement,
and she rallied enough to be able to say
to the Professor that as his proposition
was entirely unexpected, she must have
some time to consider the matter This
he granted, but said:
AS am anxious, in case of your re-
fusal to see the other young ladies to-
day, can only wait one hour for your
answer"
Knowing the worthiness, sincerity
and simplicity of the Professor, the ma
trcn took her blushing daughter up
stairs for consultation, while the father
was left TO entertain his proposed son.
in-law as best he could under the novel
circumstances. OF course the discus
sion Of the sudden proposition between
Sarah and her mother was private and
cannot be given in full. The most es-
sential points OF it, however, were told
afterward. 1t was readily admitted that
he was entirely worthy of Sarah's hand
and heart.
"But, mamma" said Sarah, how
would it look TO other people for me TO
have to give an answer in one short
hour-only sixty minutes-jump at
hasty chanee-and to think how my
young friends would jeer and laugh at
me. Wouldn't they tease me to death Z
No, ma, can never face that music.
" Bat stop, my child, and listen to me.
There is not a young lady in the city
that would not jump at the offer made
you. Let them laugh. Girls must have
something to laugh at, but it won't hurt
you. Tell him yes, emphatically. If he
were a stranger whose antecedents were
unknown TO US, however prepossessing
in person aud manners, or profuse in his
professions of love, / would withhold
nv consent. But we have long known
him. his moral character is without re-
proach, he is Rmiable, kind-hearted, and
sincere, a fine scholar, with an honora-
BILE position in the college, and be makes
no false pretenses. You knew just what
he is. What more do you wRntP
"But, mamma, / don't know that he
loves me; be hasn't even said 50.
20, well, daughter, never mind that.
Generally, those who are the loudest in
their professions Of love have least OF
the pure article. You can teach him by
example TO love you. II is far better
than precept
Leaning her head upon her mothers
bosom, Sarah said, in a submissive
tone:
"Well, ma, just as you say-Fn tell
him yes; but, although the hour isn't
half out, veil not 20 down until the last
minute Of the hour.
AT the expiration Of the fity-ninth
minute they returned to the Professor
and papa, Sarah still blushing, bat more
calm than before. Then, nth frmness
that asionished herself as vel as her
pareuts. she extended her band 10 the
Professor and said:
YES, ir, # papa consents,
He gave bis consent siihout heli-
fancy, and il Has readily aEreed BY All
that The vedsiur should take place q