Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-06-17

variably became public. He knew
he was not given to sleep. walking or
sleep-ralking. He asked Huldah if
was thus afflicted, and she demureIy
said GRO. 1t was extraordinary"
The only thing certain about it was
that 1t bade fair to continue, and there
would evidently be no place for the
living couple in the world. One day
d bright idea struck the professor.
Him he remarked, thoughtfully
caressing his whiskers and wiping his
badness with handkerchief, "see
here Huldah! We must circumvent
'em. | have it. the very idea"
"ies, sir" said Huldah, smoothing
down her dress and looking respect
full and interested.
"There is but one way. We must
get married, Huldah!"
"Oh, sir" said Huldah, hlushing
and with great apparent surprise.
"rhere is no other way" said the
professor, shifting one of his thin
limb with great determination. ssit
must be done. Now | think of it,
wonder didn't think of it before. l
declare | will not be prosecuted in this
manner any longer!
"But, sir,' said Huldah, with some
hesitation, sis not this rather sudden ?"
"It is, | admit" returned the pro-
fessor, frankly, "but consider the diff
ficulty Of these meetings, my dear.
Reflect how We have been prosecuted
these ten years back, think" The
professor made a slight calculation,
and found he had the time about
right, "This cannot go on, / can
not do without you Huldah, and these
annoyance would drive me into the
grave in ten years more. 1t must be
DONE"
"Very WE'LL" said Huldah. resigned
ly, aud the night of the elopement was
Immediately selected. The professor,
BY some special interposition in his
behalf, got off without being disturbed
by the old people or the boys, and
went home happier, for some reason,
than he had been since a boy. s'She
is really pretty" he said to himself.
81 never saw her look so nice as she
did tonight, and there was a twinkle
in her eye that was surely new to her.
| never saw such twinkle, And /
think sue laughed after / came away; !;
| could almost swear it was a laugh.
am certain it emerged from her
room; and it seemed to me that she
was jumping and having great deal
of surreptitious fun about something,
All, we'll she will tell me about it her.
self, dare say"
The elopemrnt was perfect success.
The old people were as sound asleep
as if they had entered into con-
spiracy themselves. There were no
bows around. The carriage made q
great deal Of noise, and the rope lad
.aSnisa, a.SEasss1-1S7ts.-ssJ Sss-ss5J. I'd noisy as 9
"Fortune favors us, Huldah," said
the professor, as they rode away.
"Yes, sir" said Huldah, who was
as calm as June morning and so
happy and good natured that she al
most forgot to be entirely respectful,
Some days thereafter the professor
posposed u visit to the old people.
'.As my wife you will be saved from
any annoyance by them," he said
proudly. "Do not be alarmed, HUI
dab. They dare not hurt you. That
little ceremoney has changed things
good deal, my dear"
"Yes, sir" said Huldah, smiling
confidently, and looking as if her hap
piness wanted her to smile more.
To the professors unbounded sur
prise, he was kindly received. The
old getleman shook his hand nearly
off, and the old lady, had tears in her
eyes and kissed him on both checks.
"This is very odd," remarked the
professor, looking from one to an
other, in profound astonishment
"You-you are perhaps not aware thai
Huldah and | are married 2"
when did this happen?', asked tht
old gentleman, apparently with some
studied curiousity.
"Three nights ago, sir" said th'
professor, promptly.
"Three nights ago, hey?" roared th'
; old gentleman. "And why didn't
happen ten years ago, you stupid ole
procrastinator."
The professor was so overwhelmed
with astonishment that he seemed t.
be perfectly helpless.
"You dear old, foolish old goosep
; remarked Huldah, putting her arms
about Ais neck.
Then they sat down, and the ole
people and Huldah told the professor
some little things which he had skip
ped in his youth in his yearning TO