Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1857-08-29
THE RUNAWAY MATCH.

A great many years siuce, "heH OrIShC-
eyed and far-haired lasses were not 80 plen.
tiful in New England as they are now, there
dwelt in the town of P, a pretty vii
lage, distant some twenty-five miles from the
market town, peculiarly ugly and cross.
grained, but wealthy farmer.
Minnie was Danforth's only child, and re-
port said truly that she would be his sole
iegatee. The old man was sturdy farmer,
and was estimated to be worth full ten
thousand dollars; at that period a very
handsome fortune, to be sure.
In the meantime Minnie had a true and
loyal lover in secret We would have sup
nOsed for one moment that such fellow
would dare to look on beauty and COMPARE
tive refinement? His name was Walker, or,
az he was generally called, Joe Walker; and
was simply farmer employed by old Dan
forth, who had entrusted Joe with the man
agement of his place two or three years.
But a very excellent farmer and a right
good manager was this Joseph Walker. He
was young-only twenty-three, and actually
fell in love with this beautiful, pleasant joy
Gus, Minnie Danforth, his employers daugh-
ter. But the strangest part of the occur
renee was that Minnie returned his love
earnestly, truly, and frankly, and promised
to we'd him at favorable time.
Things went on nerrily for a time, but old
Danforth discovered certain glances and at
tentions between them which excited his en-
W and suspicious. Very soon afterwards
joe learned the old mans mind directly in
regard to his future disposal OF Minnie's, and
he quickly saw his case hopeless one, unless
he resorted to stratagem, 50 he set his wits
at once to work. By agreement, an appa-
rently settled dislike and GOODNESS was OBJ
served by the lovers towards each other for
five or six months; and the father saw, as
he believed, with satisfaction, that his pre-
vious fears had been premature.
Then by agreement also between them Joe
absented himself from home at evening, and
night after night full three months longer
did Joe disappear as soon as his work was
finished, to return home only at late bed
time. This was unusual, and old Danforth
determined to know the cause of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was in love
with man daughter, who resided less than
three miles distant but after faithful at
tachment between them for several months.
the old man had utterly refused bis applica-
ton 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 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.'
Then marry her.
But 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. II tie .
will join you, all right, marry her; bring Il
here: III furnish it for You wages shall
increased, and the old man may like it
not
But
But no butts, Joe. Do as l bid you
about it at once and
You will stand by me?'
Yes to the last. know You, Joe; 20,
good fellow and good workman, and
make anybody good son or husbatid.4
The old fellow will be SO mad, though
WHO cares? Go now, quickly, but Quiet
ly.'
Tomorrow night, them said Joe.
.Yes.'
'l'll hire Clover's horse.'
mo you shal't.'
sWhy +
TAKE horse the best one, YOU g
morgan, neii take you Oft in STYLE in the new
phaeton.'
Ths old gentleman will be astonished.'