Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-03-16
miscellaneous.
From Glcason's Pictorial.
TIL Z Il UNAWAY MATCH:
OR,
Ovcr-SsioOting the Mark.
ny FRED HUNTER.


A great many years since, when bright eyed
and fair haired lasses were not SO plenty in
New England as they now are, there dwelt in
the town'of P, pretty village, distant,
then, some five-and twenty miles from Mar
ket-town,' a peculiar comedy and graceful
maiden, who had a peculiar ugly and cross
grained, but wealthy old father.
Minnie was Danforth's only child, and re-
port said truly that she would be his sole
legatee. The old man was a sturdy farmer,
and was estimated to be worth full ten thouss
and dollars: at that period a very hannsome
fortune, to be sure.
The sparkling eyes and winning manners
of Minnie Danforth had stirred up the finer
feelings Of the whole male portion Of the VII
lage, and her sutors were numerous but
her father was particular and none succeeded
in making Roadway with him or her.
| In the meantime, Minnie had true and
/ loyal lover in secret! Who would have sup
posed for one moment that such a fellow
would dare to look upon beauty and compar.
alive refinement His name was Walker,
or, as he was generally called, Zoe, Joe
Walker; and he was simply farmer, en-
ployed by cid Danforth who had entrusted
Joe with the management of his place for two
or three years. 4,.s
But very excellent farmer, and right
good manager, was this plain, unassuming
but good locking Joe Walker. He was young
too, only twenty three; and he actually fell
in love with the beautiful pleasant, Joyous
Minnie Danforth, his old employers only
daughter. But the straugest part of the oc-
cmrence was. that Minnie returned his love
earnestly, truly, and frankly; and promised
to wed him at the favorable moment. Il.
Things went on merrily for time, but old
Danforth discovered certain glances and at
tentions between them, which excited his en-
Wy and suspicion. Very soon afterwards
Joe learned the old mans mind, Indirectly,
in regard to his future disposal Of Minnie's
hand, and he quickly saw that his case was
hopeless one, unless be resorted to stratagem
and so he set his wit at once to work
BY an agreement. an apparently settled
GOODNESS and distance was observed by the
lovers towards each other, for five or six
months and the father saw, Gas he believed
with satisfaction, that his previous suspicious
and fears had been all premature Then, by
agreement also between them, Joe abscnted
himself from the house at evening and,
night after night for full three months longer,
did Joe disappear as soon as his work was
finished, to return home only at late bed time.
This was unusual, and cid Danforth deter
mined 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 at
tachment between them for several months,
the old man had utterly refused to entertain
his application for the young girls hand. Il
This was capital. just what old Danfois6
most desired This satisfied him that he had
made mistake in regard 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 lass 2
'Yes-yes.' said joe Thai is. other folks
say so. I'm not much Of judge myself
And you like hcr?'
Yes sir--yes
Then, marry her, said old Danforth.
But can 1.-THE father objects - ga
Pooh y continued Danforth, let him do
SO; what need you caro- Run away with