The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-07-16
Selected.
Joe JOhnsOn's Second Marri-
age.
BY UNCLE BEN.
BY UNCLE BEN.

!, wv vac q "iuo"eE-ue ndu married
bis wife when both were young, and they
f lived lovingly together until death took
her away, leaving him to act the part Of
both parents to their children. Joe
mourned her long and sincerely; there
were some who accused him of heartless
ness, because he would joke and banter
with his eighbors, but others knew bet
ter, for they had seen him turn away to
hide his tears, when some small crcum
stance connected with her name was
mentioned
1t has been said, that man who loses
a gccd wife soon wants to replace her :;
this Is convenient doctrine, but with
Joe two years bad passed and he was
still widowcr, when one day, while Wis.
iing bis sister, she said to him, "Joe.
1T IS time yoa were getting married
again. Joe was startled bo had been
thinking Of the same thing himself At.
ter few minutes he said =" Who will
marry :" " Why, there is Mary Jones
you may have, if you can get her," she
replied. Joe was startled again he
too had been thinking of Mary Jones.
his old acquaintance. Soon after this
he It'd lus bousebcrper that he wa, 10
ing TO Jones, and, as it vas somc dis
tauce, would not come back that night.
On arriving there he found Mary az
home, and asked her to take ride with
him 10 see an acquaintance, who lived
not far Oft While returning, after tea.
Joe, who was generally fast driver,
could not get his horse to go slow enough
it is hard telling how most courtships
begin, but having heard about this, we
will tell you.
Joe began to banter Mary about her
beaux, of which she had several, asking
her what she had done with them. She
like all other ladies', denied having anv
be told her he was coming to see if it
was so. and asked in joking way if he
might she made no objection, and reg.
ularly once in two weeks, Joe turned his
horses head towards Jones'. About
two months after his first visit, Mary and
he were invited to attend the wedding
of two of their friends. After the cere-
mony was performed, Mr.. Brown the
brides father, began to banter Joe about
getting married-telling him he nigh
have his choice of the girls who were
present. Liking fun he popped the
question, in humorous way to one or
two of the girls with whom he was ac-
quainted, taking care that they should
not accept him even in fun.
While this was going on MRS Brown,
who had been watching him, exclaimed,
" would give dollar to see you do it
in earnest" 81 would give another"
sa id her husband. $50 would l." said
the bridegroom. $50 would l cried
several other. "Very WE'LL" said Joe,
" If you are really in earnest, put the
money III Squire Sharp's hands and he
shall decide whether it is done fairly"
This was complied with by several-the
others thought that Joe must forfeit the
same amount in case he failed, but; but \
he told them they had offered to give
the money if the thing was done proper
ly he was to have it, and if not they
could take it back. This was decided
to be right; be now told the company
that he wished to be understood, 4" if the
lady refused him it was not his fault, he
did his part in asking her, and he. would
request her TO give him some sign if |
she did not choose to speak, that he
might nos be kept in suspense " This
being settled, Joe who had been stand
my near Mary, walked slowly around
the room to the place whore he started
from, and taking her hand, said Mary
/ have long admired you, and | now Sc
riously and solewuly ask you to be my
wife," There was a breathless silence
Mary said not word--but those who !
sat near thought they saw her press bis
hand. Be il as i pay, Joe said, La