Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-21
THE RUNAWAY MATCH.

III. town of p. a pretty village, distant
some twenty-five miles from the market town,
peculiarly ugly and cross-grained, but wealthy
farmer.
said truly that she would be his sole legstee.
The old man was q sturdy farmer, and was esti-
mated 10 be worth full ten thousand dollars; at
that period very handsome fortune, to be sure
The winning manners and sparkling eyes OF
Minnie Dsnforth had stirred up the inner feel
inzs Of the whole male portion of the village,
and her father wss peculiar and none succeed
ed in making hsadway with him or her.
In the meantime, Minnie had true and loyal
lover in secret, Who would have supposed TOR
one moment that such fellow would dare to
look on beauty and refinement! Ills name was
Walker, or, as he was generally called, Joe
Walker and was simply q farmer, employed by
old Danforth who had intrusted Joe with the
management Of his place two or three years.
But a very excellent farmer and a right good
manager was this Joseph Walker. lie was
Young man-only twenty-three, and actually
fsll in love with th. beautiful pleasant, joyous,
Minnie Danforth his employers daughter.
But the .trangest part Of the occurrence was
that Minnie returned bis love earnestly, truly
and frankly, and promised to wed him at IA
VOrable time.
Thing. went on merrily for time, but old
DanfOrth discovered certain glances and atten-
tions between them which excited his envy and
suspicious. Very soon afterwards, Joo learn
ed the old mans mind directly in regard TO
his future disposal of Minnie; and he quickly
saw his case a hopeless one, unless he resorted
10 q stratagem, Sd he set his wits at once TO
work By an agreement, an apparently settled
dislike and coldness was observed between the
two lovers towards each other for five or six
months and the father saw, as he believed, with
satisfaction, that his previous fears had been
premature.
Then by agreement also between them Joe
absented himself from homo every evening
night after night; for full three months longer
did Joe disappear as soon as his work was fin
ished to return at late bed time. This was
unusual and old Danforth determined to find
out the cause OF IT
Joe frankly confessed that he was in love
with a mans daughter who resided less than
three miles distant; but, after faithful attach
ment Of several months, the old man utterly re-
fused his appliction for the young girls hand.
This was capital-just what the old man de-
sired This satisfied him that he had made q
mistake in regard to his own child; and he
would help Joe to get married, and thus stop
all further trouble or suspicious at home. So
he said:
''Do you like her?
" Yes, sir-yes."
I" Then marry her"
"But 1 can't; her father objects"
"Poh let him do so; what need you care
Run away with her"
ElOpe
Yes. OF with her at once If the gal will
join you, all right, marry her; bring her here |;
you shall have the cottage at the foot of the
hill; / ii furnish 1t for you wages shall be in
creased; and the old man may like it or moi"
"But-"
But no butts, Joe. Do as 1 bid yOu-go
about it at once, and"
You will stand by me?''
g Yes, to the last. / know you, Joe you re
a good fellow and good workman, and will
make any body good son or husband"
1.-The old fellow will be so mad, though"
"Who cares! Co. now, quickly but quiet
ly."
- Tomorrow night, then, said Joe.
I'm hire CIoyers horse"
No you shan't."
Why not>'
Take my horse-the best one, young Nor
gan; he'll take you of in fine style in the new
phaetOn.n
The old gentleman will be astonished." >"
Never mind; go on. Wen turn the laugh
on him. I'll take care Of your wife at any rate. >
''I'll do it, said joe
You shall" said Danforth; and they parted
in good spirits.
An hour after dark, on the following evening
Joe made his appearance, dressed in new
black suit, and really looked very cOmely.
The old man hustled out to the barn With him,
helping TO harness young Morgan to his new
phaeton.
A few rods from the house he found Minnie,
as by previous arrangement, and repaired to
the village; the parson very quickly made
them one in holy wedlock. Joe took his bride
and soon dashed back 10 the town of p, and
halted at old DanfUrth's door who was really
looking for him with open arms
. Is it done - cried the old gentleman.
yes" answered Joe.
Bring her in, continued the old fellow in
. IN hare
and the honest farmer rushed away for lights,
and returned almost Immediately.
- Here's the certificate, sir, said Joe.
"Yes, yes
And this is my wife - he added as he pass
ed TO his beautiful bride, the bewitching and
lovely Minnie DanfOrth.
"What" (" roared the old file, what did you
say! JOe-yOu villain, you scamp, you auda-
ciOus cheat, yOu-you-'
d" 1t is true, sir, we are lawfully married /;
you advised me in this course; you assisted me;
you planned the whole affair; you lent me a
horse you thought me, last night, worthy Of
any mans child; you encouraged me, you Of
fered me the cottage at the foot OF the hill,
you-f
@ didn't, deny it. You can't prove it /;
you re a-a-
Calmly, now, sir" said Joe And the en-
treaties Of the happy couple were at once united
tOGuell the old mans ire, and 70 persuade him
u acknOwledge their union.
lie gave in reluctantly and the fair Minnie
DanfOrth was OyerjOyed to be duly acknOwl-
edged as Mrs. Joe Walker.
The marriage proved a joyous one, and the
original assertion Of DanfJrth truthful in every
respec; The cunning lover was good son and
faithful husband. and lived many years IL
enjoy the happiness which followed upon his
runaway match while the old man never cared
to hear much about the details OF the elOpe-
ment, for he saw how completely he had over
shot his mark.
THE ARTIST IN THE WOODS.
A novel styIe of paintinD with colors fur.