Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-16
A Strange Romance.


 Dr. Hardin, as his name shall be for this occasion (now dead), had but lately arrived l in Amsricus, Ga., from Savannah. Being a l gentleman of polished address he soon found l admission into the best circles of society, and at once became indispensable at all so- | cial gatherings. With the ladies he was 8 ! prime favorite. With one in particular he formed close friendship, for it developed l that he had fought in the trenches with her brother, and it was into his arms that the | wounded man fell when he was staggered by | the bullet which caused his death. One day Miss Julia, with her widowed mother, went out on that most important | duty in 8 womaa's life-the purchase of a bridal trosseau. Society had pretty we'll guessed the course of affairs. Congratula- | tions poured in upon the young lady, all of | which she accepted with becoming modesty. l The groom e1pectant, however. acted myste- riously. He never made reference to the happy affair with which his name was linked. When 6 friend congratulated him he looked puzzled, but offered no invitation to proceed.
 Thus weeks passed until the date popular ly supposed to have been set for the nuptials had gone by. The doctor moved about the city in his usual unconcern. The young lady held her grief and disappointment sa- cred and ventured no word of censure or complaint. In fact the mystery became SO great that the question as to whether the couple had ever been engaged or not became one of violent local agitation. The soldier friends of the young lady's brother, feeling that she was without male protection, determined that she should not be imposed upon. They met to the number of adozen late one evening by the cotton Df g. Toh .ol to call on the doctor and get explanation. They reached his room and were told that he had gone out not five minutes before for walk and would not be back until after midnight. In order to fill in the time un- til that hour the party went to Miss Ju- lia's house to consult her about the mat ter. They were surprised to find the doc tor there, while near him sat the young lady in tears.
 One of the men, maddened by the doc tors icy indifference, rushed over to him and grasping. him by the shoulder, shook him violently. The doctor yawned deeply; he arose and rubbed his eyes, and looking asked:
 s'How came I here. This is so very strange. I went to bed in my room at eight o'clock and thought until this mo- ment that I was still there"
 He was a somnambulist!
 
 matter was made plain. After having vis- ited Miss Julia twice he began coming at nine o'clock, when he was not expected. His manner WAS somewhat stiff and for nal, but he pressed his suit with perse- vsrance. He would never make the remo- test reference to any other subject. He never thought of leaving until few min utes before one in the morning. His late hour in coming and his late hour in leav- ing always seemed strange, but as his be- havior was always most oircumspect it was net thought of after the first few nights. Thus he proposed, was accepted, had the date appointed and passed it over. In his waking hours he had no recollection what ever of the events of the the night before.
 After the matter had been thus made plain the doctor said:
 t'Now, Miss Julia, since all this has tran spired in my sleep, I may as well tell you that your image has been impressed upon my heart all along. Will you consent again to my proposal."
 It was too plain that no opposition ex isted there. Soon the license was procured, the minister called in and the happy pair were made one.
 But one chapter more remains to be told. When the yellow fever broke out in Sa- vannah with such virulence, abont ten years ago, Dr. Hardin was one of the most zeal OBS in waiting upon the sick in that city. Ha never refused the call of duty At last he too succumbed to the drend destroyer and he now sleeps with the silent majority