Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-05-09
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 now are, there
dwelt in the town of P, a pretty VII
liage, distant then, some FIVE and twenty
miles from Mardet town, peculiarly come
ly and graceful maiden, who had peculiar
ugly and cross-grained but wealthy old
father.
Minnie was Danforth's only child, and
report said truly that she would be his sole
legatee. The old man was sturdy farmer,
and was estimated to be worth full ten thou
sand dollars; at that period a very band
some fortune, indeed.
The sparkling eyes and winning manner
of Minnie Danforth had stirred up the finer
feelings of the whole male portiou of the
village, and her suitors were numerous, but
her father was particular, and none suc-
ceeded in making head@ay with him or
her.
In the meantime, Minnie had true and
loyal lover in secret Who would have
supposed for one momeut that such fell
low would dare to look upon beauty and
comparative refinement His name was
Walker, or, as he was generally called,
ssJoe, Joe Walker; and be was simply
farmer, employed by old Danforth, who lad
intrusted Joe with the management Of his
large place two or three years.
But very excellent farmer and right
good manager, was this plain and unassum-
ing but good looking Joe Walker. He
was young too, only twenty three; and he
actually fell in love with the beautiful,
pleasant, joyous Minnie Danforth. his EN-
ployer's only daughter. But the strangest
part of the occurrence was that Minnie re-
turned his love earnestly, traIy and frankly,
and promised to wed him at the favorable
moment
Things went on merrily for time, but
old Danforth discovered certain gIances,
and attentions between them which excited
his early suspicious. Very soon afterwards
Joe learned the old mans mind, indirectly,
in regard to the future disposal of Minnie's
hand, and Re quickly saw that his case was
hopeless one. unless he rcsoTted TO strata
gem, and so he put bis wits at once to
work
BY agreement an apparently settled
coldness and distance was observed BY the
lovers towards each other, and the father
saw las he believed) with satisfaction that
his previous suspicion and fears had all been
premature. Then by agreement also be-
tween them, Joe absen:ed 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 some
thing unusual, and old Danforth determined
to know the cause of it.
Joe frankly confessed that be 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 enter
tain his application for the young girls
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 get married, and
to stop all further trouble or suspicion at
once. So he said:
well, Joe, is she a buxom lassp
sYes--yes,, said Joe. 'I'm not mueh of
judge myself
sAnd you like her!'
Yes, sir, yes.'
Then marry herl' said Danforth.
But l can't, the father objects"
Pooh. what should You care, Run away
with hers'
'Elopea
Yes, certainly: of with you at once. If
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, and
the old man may like it or not
But
But no bnts Joe. Do as bid you, go
about it at once, and
you will stand by met