Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1852-02-21
Nltstelloueons.
From Gieasoa's Pictorial.
TIE RUNAWAY MA TCH.
DY FRED HUNTER.


A great many years since, when
bright eyed and fair-haired lasscs were
not SO plenty in Now England as they
now arc, there dwclt in the town of
P, a pretty village, distant then
some five and twenty miles from MAR
ket Town peculiarly comcly and
graceful maiden, who had a peculiar
ly ugly and cross-grained but wealthy
old father.
Minnie was Danforth's only child
and report said haly that she would be
the only legatee. The old man was a
sturdy farmer, and was estimated to
be worth full ten thousand dollars; ut
that period, very handsome fortune,
to be sure. rr r
The sparkling eyes and winning
manners of Minnie Danforth had STIR
red up the finer feelings Of the whole
male portion of the village, and her
suffers were numerous; but her father
was particular, and none succeeded in
making headway with him or her.
In the meantime, Minnie had true
and loyal lover in secret! Who would
have supposed for one moment that
sach fellow would dare to look upon
beauty and comparative refinement !
His name was Walker, or, as lie was
generally called, "Joe'-Joe Walker;
and he was simply farmer, employed
by old Dauforth, who had entrusted
Joe with the management of his place
for two or three years. a
But very excellent farmer and a
right good manager, was this platinum
assuming, but tgool looking Joe Walk
cr. He was young too, only twenty
three; aud he actually fell in love
with tho beautiful, pleasant, joyous
Minnie Danforth, his old employers
only daughter. But the strangestpart
of the occurrence was, that Mimic re.
turned his love earnestly, truly, and
frankly; and promised to wed him at
tho favorable moment.
Things went on merrily for time,
but old Dauforth discovered certain
glanccs aud attentions between them,
which excited his envy and suspicious.
Very soon afterwards, Joe learned the
old mans mind, indirectly, III regard
to his future disposal of Minnic's
hand, and he quickly saw that his case
was hopeless one, unless he resorted
to s,ratagcm and SO he set his wits
at once to work.
BY agreement, an apparently settled
coldncss and distance was observed by
the lovers towards each other for five
or six months; and the father saw (as
he bclicved) with satisfaction, that his
previous suspicious and fears had been
all premature. Then, by agreement
also between them, Joe absented him
self from the house at evening; and
night after night for three full months
longer did Joe disappear as soon as
his work was finished, to return home
only at late bed time. This was un-
usual, and old Daniorth determined to
know the cause Of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was
in love with mans daughter, who
resided less than three miles distant;
but, after faithful attachment be.
tween them for several months, the
old man had utterly refused to enter
tain his application forthe young girls
hand.
This was capital. Just what old
Danforth most desired. This satisfied
him that he had made mistake in re-
gard to his own child; and he would
help Joe to get married and thus stop
all further suspicious or trouble at
home. So he said:
We'll, Joe, is she buxom luss |"
"Yes-yes," said she. That is,
other folks say so. I'm not much Of a
judge myself"
"And you like her !"
!" Yes, sir--yes.
" Then, marry hcr," said old Dan
forth.
"But cah't-the father objects"
"Pooh!" continued Daniorth, "let
him do so; what need you care? Run
away with her."
:" Elopo %