Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-10-28
The Runaway Ma teh,.

brigbt-eyed and fair hal red lasses
were not SO plenty in New England
as they are now, there d welt in the
: town Of P a pretty v illage, dis
tant, then, some five a nd twenty
, miles from market town, a peculiar,
comely and graceful ma iden; + W ho
: had peculiar ugly and foss-grain-
led but wealthy old father
Minnie was Danforth's only child
land report said that she VIC ould be his
sole legatee. The old m I'm was a
isturdy farmer, and was estimated to
Ibe worth full ten thousand dollars;
lat that period a very handsome
fortune to be sure.
/ The sparkling eyes and winning
manners of Minnie Danforth had
stirred up the finer feelings Of the
whole male population OF the village,
and her suitors were numerous; but
! he + father was particular, and none
succeeded in making head way with1
him, or her.
In the meantime, Minnie had a true
ald loyal lover, in secret. Who
would have supposed that such a
fellow would dare toIlook upon beau
ty and co Imperative refinement? His
name was Walker, or as be was gen
orally called, joe Joe Walker, and
he was simply a farmer, employee by
old Danfo orth, who had entrusted Joe
with the management Of his place for
two or three years.
But a Fery excellent farmer, and a
right good manager, was this plain,
unassuming but good looking Joe
Walker. He was young, too, being
only %; and he actually fell in love
with the beautiful, and pleasant Min
ME DanfoIth, his old employers S |pnly
daughter. But the strangest part of
the occurrence was, that Minnie re-
turned his love earnestly, truthfqlly,
and frankly, and promised to we'd him
at favorable moment.
Things went rilerrily on for a t time,
but old Danforth discovered certain
glances between them, which excited.
his suspicion. Very soon afterwards,
Joe learned the old mans mind in
in regard to bis future .
disposal of Minnie's hand, and he .
quickly saw the case was q hopeless
one, unless he resorted to stratagPm, :
md so he set his wits at once ton
work. p
By an agreement, an apparent set
led coldness and distance was OBJ
served. between the lovers, towards 6
Zach other, for five or six months; :,
md the father saw, las he believed)
With satisfactions that his previ pus :
suspicious had all been premature = ;
Then, by an agreement also between :
hem, Joe absented himself from the ;
house at evening; and night al ter
hight for full three months longer,
lid Joe disappear as soon as his work
vas finished, to return home only at
late bed time. !
This was Unusually and old Danforth !,
vas determined TO know the cause
# it. i
Joe frankly confessed that he was =
n love with a mans daughter, who v
esided less than three miles distant; :
,ut after faithful attachment be-
ween them for several months the q
Id man had utterly refused to en- Il
ertain his application for the young h
iris hand. "
This was capital. Just what old G.
)anfbrth most desired. This salts b
ed him that he had made mistake in Il
egard to his own child; and he would
elp Joe to get married, and tn US %
top all further suspicion at home J.
10 he-said: A
well, Joe is she buxom lass?' CT
'Yes-yes,' said Joe. THAT is 9th Il
+ folks say so. I'm not much of a hI
idge myself
And you like herr y
yes, sir-yes.'- al
Then marry her, said old Dan fl
nth. tH g
But / can't-the father Objects. nj
Pooh!' continued Danforth, 'let k
IN do so, what need you care? Run
way with her, ar
sElope2' TO
Yes! OF with you at oncei IfIsp
e gal viii join, all right Marry fu
i here; you shall have the little en-
'ttage at the foot of the lane; I'll uF