Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-06-12
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THE RUNAWAY MATCH.

A great many years since, when bright
eyed and fair-haired lasses were not so plen.
ty in New England as they are now, there
dwelt in the town of P, pretty vii
lage, distant then, some FIVE and twenty
miles from Market town, peculiar, ugly
and cross-grained, but wealthy old father.
Minnie was Danforth's only, and report
said truly that she would be his sole lega-
tee. The old man was a sturdy old farmer,
and was estimated to be worth full ten thou
sand dollars at thatperiod avery handsome
fortune, indeed.
The sparkling eyes and winning manners
of Minnie Danforth had stirred up the finer
feelings of the whole male portion of the
village, and her suitors were numerous, but
her father was particular, and none sue
ceeded 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 such fellow
would dare to look upon beauty and COM
parative refinement? His name was Wal
ker, or, as he was generally called, 'Joe,'-
Joe Walker; and he was simple farmer,
employed by old Danforth, who had en-.
trusted Joe with the Management! Of his large
place two or three years.
But very excellent farmer and right
good manager, was this plain unassuming
but good looking Joe Walker. He was
young, too, only twenty-three; and he ac-
tually fell in love with the beautiful, pleas.
ant, joyous Minnie Danforth, his employers
only daughter But the strangest part of
the occurrence was that Minnie returned his
affection earnestly, truly and frankly, and
promised to wed him at the favorable mo-
ment.
Things went on merrily fora time, but
old Dauforth discovered glances and atten-
tions between them which excited his early
suspicious. Very soon afterwards, Joe learn
ed the old mans mind indirectly in regard
to the future disposal of Minne's hand,
and he quickly saw that his case was hope
less one, unless he resorted to stratagem,
and so he put his wits at once to work,
By agreement an apparently settled cold
ness and distance was observed by the lovers
towards each other, and the father saw Gas
he believed) with satisfaction that his pre-
vious suspicious and fears had all been pre-
mature. 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 home
only at late bed time. This was something
unusual and old Dauforth 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 faith
full attachment between them for several
months, the old man had utterly refused to
entertain his application for the young girl 5
hand.
This was capital. Just what the old man
desired This satisfied him that he had
made mistake in regard to his own child
and he would have Joe 70 get married, and
stop all farther trouble or suspicion at once.
So he said
well, Joe, is she buxom lass?'
Nes-yes,' said Joe. I'm not much OF
judge myself
'And you like her?'
yes sir, yes
Then marry her. said Danforth.
sBut I can't, the father Objects
Pooh ! what should you care? Runaway
with her
'Elope?'
Yes, certainly; off with you at once. L
the gal will join, all right. Marry her
bring her here you shall have the little
cottage at the foot of the lane; I'll furnish
it for you your wages shall be raised anc
the old man may like it or not
But
But no butts Joe. Do as I bid you, &
and marry her at once, and
You will stand by me?'
yes to the last. know you, Joe your
a good workman, and will make anybody 8
good son or husband
The old fellow will be so mad though.
sWho cares, say. Go quickly, but qui