Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1856-04-17
THE RUNAWAY MATCH.

It many years since, when bright
fair haired lassies were not so plen-
W England as. they now are, there
the town of P, pretty vii
ant then some five and twenty miles
rket town, a peculiarly comely and
maiden, who had a peculiarly ugly
B-grained but wealthy old father.
was Danforth's only child, and
id truly that she would be his sole
The old man was sturdy farmer,
estimated to be worth full ten thou
prs, at that period very handsome
indeed.
arkling eye and winning manners
Danforth had stirred up the finer
of the whole male portion of the
d her suitors were numerous, but
was particular and none succeed
ing headway with him or her.
aeantime, Minnie had true and
il secret. WIG would hayes-
for one moment that such fellow
re to look upon beauty and COM
refinement His name was Walk
5 he was generally called joe >
lker; and be was simply farmer
Id by old Danforth, who had entrus-
with the management of his large
|wo or three years.
a very excellent farmer and right
manager was this plain and unassum-
bit good looking Joe Walker. He was
tnil too, only twenty-three and he actu-
y fell in love with the beautiful, pleasant
innie Danforth, his employer only daugh-
:. But the strangest part of the occur
nee was that Minnie returned his love
rnestly, truly and frankly and promised
wed him at favorably moment.
Things went on merrily for time, but
l Danforth discovered certain glances and
tentions between them which excited his
rly suspicious. Very soon afterwards,
'e learned the old mans mind, Indirectly,
regard to the future disposal of Minnies
nd, and he quickly saw that his case was
hopeless one, unless he resortcd to strata
m, and SO he put his wits at once to
ork.
BY agreement an apparently settled cold
SIS and distance was observed by the low
$ toward each other, and the father saw
S he believed) with satisfaction that his
evious suspicion and fears had all been
emature. Then by agreement also be-
cen them, Joe absented himself from the
use at evening, and night after night for
IL three months did Joe disappear as soon
his work was finished, to return home
ly at late bed time. This was something
usual and old Danforth determined to
ow the cause of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was, in love
tn mans daughter, who resided less
an five miles distant, but after faithful
between them for several months,
e old man had utterly refused to entertain
application for the young girls hand.
This was capital Just what the old man
sired. This satisfied him that he had
ade mistake in regard to his own child
ID he would have Joe get married, and
'p all further trouble Or suspicion at once.
he said.
s'Well, Joe, is she buxom lass 2"
''Yes-yes," said Joe 'sIm not much
ajudge myself"
"And you like her?'
eyes, sir, yes.'
''Then marry her p said Danforth.
'But l can't, the father objects"
"Pooh what should you care Rum
vay with her."
'Elope?"
eyes, certainly off with you at once. If
e gal will join, all right. Marry her,
ing her here, you shall have the little cot
&c at the foot of the lane I'll furnish it
r you; your wages shall be raised, and the
d man may like it or not"
But"