Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-07-14
Gooppt's Glarksbtlra Rtgiatsr
NfaI From GIeason's Pi0toriAi, \ NJ
THE RUNAWAY MATCH;
or, Overwhelming the Mark.

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 fve-and-twenty
miles from 'Market.town,' q peculiar
comedy and graceful maiden, who had a
peculiar ugly and cross-grained, but veal
thy old father.
Minnie was Dauforth's only child, ana
report said truly that she would be his sole
legatee. The old man was sturdy TAR,
mer, and was estimated to be worth tull
ten thousand dollars at that period a
very handsome fortune, to be sure.
The sparkling eyes and winning man
ners of Minnie Danfo tn had stirred up
the finer feelings of the whole male por-
ton of the village, and her suitors were
and none succeeded in making Roadway
with him or her.
In the meantime, Minnie had a true
and loyal lover, IN secret. Who would
have supposed that such fellow would,
dare to look upon beauty and comparo-
tive refinement His name was Walker,
or, as he was generally called Joe,-
Joe Walker; as he was simply farmer,
employed by old Danforth, who had en-
trusted Joe with the management OF his
place for two or three years.
: But very excellent farmer, and right
good manager was this plain, unassu-
ming but good looking Joe Walker. He
was Young, too, being only twenty-three;
and he actually fell in love with the beau
tiful, pleasant and joyous Minnie Danforth,
his old employers only daughter. But
the strangest part of the occurrence was,
that Minnie returned his love earnestly.
truly and frankly, and promised to wed
him at favorable moment.
Things went on merrily for time, but
old Danforth discovered certain glances
and attentions between them, which ex-
cited his suspicion. Very soon after
wards, 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
he resorted to stratagem, and SO he set
his wits at once to work.
BY an agreement, an apparently set
tied GOODNESS and distance was observed
between the lovers, towards each other,
for Ave or six months and the father
saw, as he believed,) with satisfaction,
that his previous suspicious had all been
premature, Then, by agreement also
between them, Joe absented 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 homo only at late bed
time. This was unusual, and old Dan
forth determined to know the cause of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was in
love with q mans daughter, who resided
less than three miles distant but, after
faithful attachment between them for
several months, the old man had utterly
refused to entertain his application for the
young girls hand,
This was capital, Just what old Dan
forth 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?
'Yes-yes,' said Joe. That is, other
folks say SO, I'm not much of a judge,
myself"
And you like her p
Yes sir-yes.'
Then, marry her., said old Danforth.
But l cAN'T-the father objects.
Pooh 7 continued Danforth. let him
do so what need you care ? Run away
with her.
Elope ?
Yes Of with you at once, if the gal
will ioin-all right, Marry her-bring
her here you shall have the little cottage
at the foot of tho lano : I'll furnish it for
you your wages shall be increased and
the old man may like it, or not, just as he
will p
"But-"
"No butts. Joe. Do as bid you. and
go about it at once, and"
"You will stand by me ?"
eyes, to the last. ! know you, Joe,
You're good fellow, good workman,
and will make any body good son or
husband"
"The old fellow will be mad. though"
"Who cares, say? Go on quickly,
but quietly"
Tomorrow night, them" said Joe,
eyes," said Danforth.
"I'll hire Colver's horse"
mo you shant."
"Not?"
~ say no. Take my horse-the best
one. young Morgan, he'll take you off in
fine style, in the pheton'"
Exactly"
And as soon as you are spliced, come
right back here, and jolly time we'll
have of it at the old house."
"Her father will kill me p
"Bah He is an old fool. whoever he
is; he don't know your good qualities,
Joe, SO we'll as do, Don't be afraid a
faint heart, you know, never won fair
lady"
" The old man will be Nstonished."
Never mind, 60 on, Well turn the