Year: 1873

A correspondent of the Indianapolis
Herald tells the following anecdote Of
Prof Foster, who filled with much ability
one o! the chairs of the faculty of the
college in Knoxville, Tenn.


Prof. Foster was we'll educated in the
sciences usually taught in colleges, but his
ignorance of the common affairs OF lite
rendered him remarkable man, furnish
ing rare subject for the study of human
nature in one of its mutiform phases. Be-
ing advised by some of his friends to get
married, he, with childlike faith and SIM
plicity, accepted their advice, and prom
,sed to do so if he could fnd a 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 offeuse, and an entire stranger to the
forms and ceremonies of modern courtship.
He couldn't see the necessity of consuming
a year or two in popping the question,
" Sally. will you have me?" SO he went
that day to the residence of the nearest
young lady who had been commended, and
being welcomed 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 they commend
you and 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 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
succeeded the pa.eness 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 was
granted, but he said:


"As am anxious, in case of your refu-
sal, ito see the other young ladies to-day, l
can wait only one hour for your answer"


Knowing the worthiness, sincerity and
simplicity of the professor, the matron took
her blushing daugh ghter up stairs for con.
sultation, while the father was left to en-
tertain his proposed son-in-!aw as best be
could under the novel circumstances. OF
course the discussion of the sudden propo-
sition, between Sarah and her mother, was
private, and cannot be given in full. The
most essential points Of it, however, were
told afterward. 1t was readily admitted
that he was entirely worthy of Slrah's
hand and heart.


But, mn mma," 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
chance and to think how my young
friends would jeer aud laugh at me-.
Wouldn't they tease me to death Nc,
ma, can never face the music


:" But stop, my child, and listen to me-
There is not young lady in the city thai
would not jump at the offer made you
Lat them laugh. Girls must have some
thing to laugh at, but it won't hurt you
Tell him yes, emphatically. II he was a
stranger whose antecedents were unknown
! to US, however prepossessing in person apt