Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-09-05
MISCELLANY.
The Runaway Hatch.

5"2at many years since, when bright
eyed and fair-haired lasSes were not so plcn-
tiful in New Englaod as they are now, there
dwelt in The town of p, pretty vii
lage, distant some twenty-five miles from
the market town, peculiarly ugly and
cross-grained, but wealthy farmer.
Minnie was Dauforths only child, and
report said truly that she would be his sole
legatcc. The old man was a sturdy farmer,
and was estimated to be worth full ten
thousand dollars; at that period very
handsome fortune, to be sure.
Tho winning manners and sparkling
eyes of Minnie Danforth had stirred up the
finer feelings of the whole male portion of
the village, and her father was peculiar and
mono succeeded in making headway with
him or her
In the meantime, Minnie had true and
loyal lover in secret! Who would have
supposed for one moment that such lcl-
low would dare to look on beauty and re-
fncmont? His name was Walker, or, as
he was generally called, Joe Walker, and
was simply a farmer, employed by old Dan
forth who had intrustcd Joe with tho man
agoment of his place two or three years.
But very excellent farmer and right
good manager was this Joseph Walker. He
was young man-only twenty-tbrce, and
actually fell in love with this beautiful,
pleasant, joyous, Minnie Danforth, his en-
ployer's daughter. But the strangest part
of the occurrence was that Minnie returned
his love earnestly, truly and frankly, and
promised to wed him at favorable time.
Things went or merrly for time but
old Danforth discovered certain glances and
attentions between them which excited his
envyand suspicious Very soon afterwards
Joe learned 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 to a stratagem so he set
his wits at once to work. Byan agreement,
an apparently settled dislike and coldness
was observed between the two lovers to-
wards 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 every eve
ming night after night for full three months
longer did Joe disappear as soon as his work
was finished, to return at late bed timc---
This was unusual and Danforth determined
to ma out the cause CT 1t.
Joe frankly confessed that he was in
love with a mans daughter who resided less
than three miles distant; but, after faith
ful attachment of several months, the old
man utterly refused his application for the
young girls hand
This was capital-,just what the old man
desired. This satisfied him that ne had
made a mistake In regard to his own child ;
and he would help Joe to get married, and
thus stop all fui ther trouble or suspicious
at home. So he said
"Do ynr like her?"
Yes, YES"
"Then marry her." -
But | can't, her father Objects"
Poh let him do so what need you
care? Run away with her !"
Elope z"
eyes! OF with her at once IF the
bring her here; you shall have the cottage
atthe foot ofthe hill; I'llfurpish it for you
wages shall be increased; and the old mar
may like it or not"
.f" But"
But no butts, Joe. Do as 1 bid YOU
go about it at once and" S
"You will stand by me?
Yes, to the last know you Joe
you're a good fellow and good workman
and will make any body good son or hus
band3tGcs 4gsr 51E 1gs1S
g The old fellow will be somad, though
"Whd cares2 Go, now. quickly but
quietly" ass 'f,f'
Tomorrow night, then" said Joe,
*, HYes.H stsr, s, e,4.s- &
"I'll hire Ciovef's horse{
g's,.H Nc. yeutshaIft.~ 'l
q why hot2' 4r 81
"Take my horse the beat one, young