The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-08-12
THURSDAY. AUG ID JUST l2, 1858.

n
perhaps. ;0f course l can't tell you the ex-
act amount ! made-thatI / think is quite IN.
necessary" 4
s"Oh, quite." i95i . -
"And, perhaps. too, there were attractions
in this part Of the world more alluring than
gold" asa a3. asa as
He looked knowingly at Melinda as he
spoke, and gave her another wink, which
that young lady seemed 70 relish. though
she blushed and appeared wonderfully EN-.
barrassed for moment. Joe noticed what
occurred. and didn't at oil fancy the course
affairs seemed to be setting. He knew thai
he should feel and appear peculiarly savage
if he remained much longer, and so hi
biDted it was about time for him to be GO.
iBg--and what served 10 enrsge him more
than aught else, Melinda appeared to be o
the same mind, for she offered no objection
So he took his hut and departed, will
firmness in his step and bitterness in hi
heart, taE q 1Ess@ ~
II don't like the looks Of things at all,
he muttered TO himself,sas he walked OF
through the dark; "she's altogether too ten
der with that chap to be agreeable to me
If he has not turned her head, then there
must be a mistake somewhere. l don't be
lieve he has brought money enough from
California to buy a rope, to hang him. Heh
after the widder's farm, now, to make it up,
I'll bet my hat. Yes, sir, he means to catch
Melinda, apd I've been fool enough. to wal
till this time before coming to final point
But perhaps il amt too late yet !" he addet
upon few moments reflection; "moyb'
she'll consent to have me yet, If i lose NJ
timein asking her. I'll'try it,I vow Twill
I'll 60, over again tomorrow, and have the
thing settled" sa. e ~
And having come to this conclusion, h'
hurried forward, and soon after was dream
ing Of Melinda Martin, the widow, himself
and an infinite number Of Reuben Sparkses
who were endeaporins to chase him up
steep'hill, and beat his brains out with bar
Of California gold.
Mrs. Chickweed was most anxious, mex
morning to learn from her son the resnlt o
bis mission to the widows, but Joe was silen
and pensiVe, avoiding his mothers eye, ant
keepi'g away from the house us much a
-N. - I
possible. Late in the evening he CAREFUL,
dressed himself int his best suit, and with
look of determination stamped upon his fea
tures, he once more set out to visit the fickl
Melinda. .st IT,. .,.sag. a--
He found her at home and alone IA .z,.
-.F1ope you spent an agreeable eveniD
yesterday" remarked Joe, after he had pass
ed the usual compliments. and seated hin,
self near the young lady. a ..,l. ..-.ea.
"Oh, yes, / did, | assure you," wos tn
reply a a
"Mr. Sparks, Ishould say, is very en-
tertaining young mon." s'"'&7s@ -
Joe didn't think anything Of the kind, bu
quite the contrary, ae-,F.,,, s,r rer, s
4
HE is, indeed,", responded Melinda. b
Joe looked anything butpleasedat this en-
comium on his rival, and sat for some mo
ments in utter silence. Atlength he turns'
to the yonng lady and spoke: .
B .'I came here last evening" !" he said,"witI
the intention Of speaking to you on par
tcular subject, but found you SO engage
that determined to call again to- night, n
"Here you are,p said Melinda, smiling q
his emb arrassment. f@aH@ ar23@-g'
y eyes, here I am. And now that I'm her
I'llstellyou what I've come for. You know
j love you. I've told you as much more'I
once, and I've fattered myself that Iweren
Indifferent to you. But, now ! wish you, t
tell me if yourea1ly love me in return, ant
if I may hope to make you my wife. VIII
you marry met" &so ql a, 5ao5.a
Joe having arrived at this important ques
tion, looked tendery and uppealngly int
her face, and breathlessly awaited her reply
She colored slightly, and bent her eyes t.
the ground. 99a@ aas .a al.., T@a q "
'You are quite right she said, in sup
posing that you are not Indifferent to me, 70
| regard you very highly r~
Then allmy fears have been groundless
uttered Joe, exultingly. aia. SEQ
7 But continued the lady, i cannot YER
we'll grant your wish regarding ''
| what cried Joe, bis countenance sue
| denly changing.
Il cannot very we'll marry you =
'And why can't you! I'd like to kno'
what's to hinder your marrying me II yo
think enough Of me-
There is one reason in particular
4 'What is it!' 2 2H ~
'T'm engaged to another ?
Joe turned pale. al, a .@ 8 'oly
II Sparks he cried--'tell me, 10 II Sparks
well, and ifit is!' 51 ..sa.tl ,'f.
Il knew it! Blast him,I knew what
was after!' s.5~, M saoa ~
Il don't know that Mr.. Spar ks has acted
any wsy as he should not remarked Il
1 young lady warmly.
"'He's q cheating yilluin! replied Joe i
dignantly. aa 81 s1,aas1 @a
You don't know him; he's nothing Oftl
kind!' 3W G & VIZ y"
Sits you that don't know him; but "
/ will before long. I've been deceived and
amt afraid to say so,' continued he, sna.c
ing up his hat; iit's the money that he pr