Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-11-25
reach his mothers ear-I'll marry the


something startling. wasn't prepared for
this She uttered an exclamation OF Iun-
bounded surprise. started upward from her
seat, and then sank back and fixed her
eyes with, vacant stare upon her sons
face.
Well said Joe, I hope you don't see
anything agin it,.
'No-no' stammered his mother, re-
covering somewhat from the shock She had
received; but arc you really in earnest,
Joe-wiIl you marry the widder?' n'
TO be sure will, and that's the whole
Of it. Pm going up to see her this worry
day. I'll marry her If she'll have me,
and be revenged ON Melinda for cutting me
as she has for that blasted Sparks. I'll
teach 'em what's what .s.a..1 .-rr
Joe was as good as his word. lie sought
the widow and made his proposal. She
was more astonished than she knew how
to express. but more gratifed than aston
iehed. Fresh and fair as she was, consid.
ering her years. she had never given over
the. idea of winning another husband; but
it had never entered her head that she
could possibly procure so young and es-
Unable prize as Joe Chickweed.
Joe made it special proviso in his pro-
posal, that they shold be married private
ly the day before the marriage Of Sparks
with the widows daughter. and it should
be kept secret till that wedding had ia
ken place. TO this the widow readily
agreed, although it was hard task for
her to restrain the enjoyment she expert
enccd. and prevent the secret being dis
covered.
The evening before the nuptials ofSparks
and Melinda at length arrived, and all the
preparations for the ceremony on the ensu-
ing day were completed. When darkness
had fairly set in, while Melinda was so oc-
cupied with the company and conservation
of her soon-to-bc husband as to be COM
pletely oblivious to all else, Mrs. Martin
cautiously left the house. and meeting Joe
near at hand, she FASTENED with him to the
residence of the Chickwceds The minister
who had been duly admonished to secrecy,
was in attendance; and in less than half an
hour thereafter, Joe was married man,
and the no longer widow was on her way
back to her home--parting from Joe with
a single, but enormous kiss, with which
he was content to satisfy himself, consid-
cring what was to follow from his so doing
on the morrow. l5ls Eiiro :
The welding passed off next day to the
entire satisfaction of all parties. The af-
fair took place in the morning at the resi-
4 e al - l.. Al. 1.
all the guests, with the exception of Joe
Chickweed, departed. Why he remained
SO long it puzzled the newly married pair
to surmise, as they had not supposed he
would be present at all. Joe took it very
easily, however, and seemed quite unem-
barrassed by the occasional gatherings of
the happy Sparkss
Il spose, said Joe, addressing himself
to the newly made husband, as they were
assembled in the parlor togetber-1 s'pose
you'll take up your residence in the vii
lage right away-buy you nice house
and live fashionablyp
ooh, no. replied Mr.. Sparks--'don't
know as | SHALL
What! well, now, l calc'late you don't
have any idcar of settling on FARM
You amt nsed to that work, You know
Don't know but may said Sparks,
assuming a careless air and tone; coming
on hot weather. You know, and living in
town is a bore in summer. Yes. think
shall try country life for while; / amt in
the. best Of health, and farm life may
improve me-
WELL responded Joe, deliberately.
cant say that FIN sorry you're going 10
stay with us. | think myself that it wo'd
be to your benefit to work on a farm for a
while; AMI well try to make it as comfort
able for you as we can!
Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks looked at him;
then they looked at one another and laugh
ed 'a-.r
ooh, well be nearer than neighbors. a
good sight-of course we WILL said Joe.
glanciag with look of intelligence to-
ward the former widow! gsss
Again Mr. and Mrs Sparks glanced at
one another, but This time they didn't
laugh ...f
What do you mean? they asked stimuli
taneously.
oh. excuse me; forgot that you didn't
know what transpired. The fact is, the
widow, here, and myself, taking mutual
liking to each other were married last night
We should have invited you to the we'd
ding .sbut we knsw you were soengaged--'
=. What marriel?' cried Mr., Sparks,
springing to his feet while alook of hor-
ror ovcrsprcad his features. His wife sal
pale as ghost. utterly unable to speak 9
word. sifrs - ~ iss9'sesfe a. - sfklff
Certainly, married. said Joe, coolly.
is this so?' he inquired, turning to tho
late widow. 81 t,a ..ss a.ssel = 49,
You may rely upon all he says she re.
pied. ~ h4D tfrrtf fsa}aa A.eaAt'
Then have been swindlcd--imposed
upon deceived! And you knew Of this
also. and led me ,on?' he continued, in {
violent tone, addressing his wife, .Yot
worked to net Inc, whilcthis Internal chea
gets all the property ,..,.-... - .rs..g
.No--it's not sop exclaimed Melinda
bursting into tears; knew nothing of it
And thought you married me for myself
and not for money-you pretended TO hay
enough of that yourselfp ss,,.fss ...,.si8iL,
Reuben Sparks smiled sickly and
scornful smile. = it,sfas',, 'if,'i"n 4