M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-04-23
gtIetttN Stories.
The Runaway Match.

A great many years since, when
bright-eyed and fair-haired lasses were
not so plenty in New England as they
now are, there dwelt in the town of
P, a pretty village, distant some
twenty-five miles from the market
town, a peculiarly ugly and cross ,
grained, but wealthy father.
Minnie, was Danforth's S only child,
and report said truly that she woul d be
his sole legatee. 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.
The sparkling eyes and winning
manners of Minnie Danforth had stir
red up the finer feelings of the whole
male portion of the village, and her
suitors were numerous, bat her father
was peculiar, and none succeeded in
making headway with him or her.
In the mean time, Minnie had true
and loyallove in secret Who would
have supposed for one moment that
such a fellow would dare to look on
beauty and comparative refnement9--
His name was Walker, or, as he was
generally called, Joe Walker; and
was simply farmer, employed by OId
Danforth, who had entrusted Joe with
the management Of his place two or
three years.
But a very excellent farmer and a
right good manager, was this Joe
Walker. He was young too-only
twenty-three: and he actually fell in
love with this beautiful, pleasant, joy
Gus, Minnie Dantorth, his employers
daughter. But the strangest part OF
the occurrence was, that Minnie re-
turned his love earnestly, truly and
frankly, and promised to wed him at
favorable time.
Things went on merrily for time,
but old Danforth discovered certain
glances and attentions between them,
which excited his envy and suspic-
ions. Very soon afterwards Joe
learned the old mans mind directly,
in regard to his future disposal Of
Minnie's hand and he quickly saw his
case was hopeless one unless he re-
sorted to stratagem, 80 he sat his
wits at once to work. By agreement,
an apparently settled dislike and cold
ness was observed by the lovers TO-
ward 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 home at even.
ing, and night after night, for full
three months longer did Joe disappear
as soon as his work was finished, tc
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 mans daughter, who
resided less than three miles distant
but, after a faithful attachment be-
tween them for several months, the
old man had utterly refused his ap
plication for the young girls hand.
This was capital-iust what the
old'man desired. This satisfied hin
that he had made mistake in regard
to his own child; and he would hell
Joe get married and thus stop al
further trouble or suspicious at home
Sohe said: 's"' .e, "
.iS"sDo you lik her!" '..S ...
eyes, sir--yes." emu s.., /.
ssThen marry her,"
"But | can't-her father Objects
"Poh!let him do So, what need yor
care9 Run away with herl"
"Elope?" '.1' vs7'a
!. eyes! Off with you at. once. /
the gallwill join, all right. Mari,
her, bring her here: you shall have