, Sarah
Porter, was engaged to be married. There remained the mystery as to the
identity of the bridegroom. But this was speedily cleared up by the
genial Doctor Hudson, who made no scruples of advertising his old
friend's happiness. The result was that by the time set for the
ceremony, the whole town was out, waiting in eager anticipation. It was
indeed a season of great excitement. Here was an opportunity to
celebrate an event that was at once amazing, romantic and historic.
Captain Ichabod had been known by them for twenty years as an inveterate
woman-hater. During that same score of years, as her friends could
testify, Sarah Porter had refused no less than seven excellent offers of
marriage. Now, these two were to marry. The citizens, with one accord,
marveled and rejoiced.

Yet, no one criticized the match. The two were universally liked and
respected. While the townsfolk wondered and smiled they did not jeer.
But they were resolved to make a demonstration of their appreciation.
They meant to give the wedded pair a "send off" to be remembered.

Sarah, assisted by three of her closest friends, passed the whole night
in making ready for the momentous occasion. By nine o'clock in the
morning, her trunk was safely aboard the yacht. Immediately after her
return from the bank, Captain Jones escorted her aboard _The
Hialdo_--before the townspeople had any suspicion of what was going on.
They were quickly followed by Doctor Hudson and the clergyman. Van Dusen
bustled in after them, having finished the paying off of the chartered
boats.

The ceremony was duly performed. A woman's dream of years at last became
reality.

Van Dusen suggested that the newly wedded pair should go ashore to
receive the congratulations of the crowd that now thronged the water
front. But Ichabod, having in mind pestiferous small boys, steadfastly
refused any such exhibition of himself and his bride. His opinion of
them would have been confirmed could he have overheard their questioning
of Doctor Hudson, which was: Had he examined their teeth to see how old
they were?

Nevertheless, the townsfolk, though they got no sight of the principals
in the affair, cheered with a lusty good-will. And, too, they dragged a
cannon down to the shore, where the gunner fired a salute of twenty-one
thunderous explosions. The Collector of the Port, who alone knew that
this was an honor reserved for the President of the United States,
inquired curiously why this