Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-11-25
q eo,a' Stotg.
JOE CnICKWEED's COURTSHIP;
BY Louis \. BURDIcK.

Il vowp said Joe Chickweed, as he 81 col
before the parlor mirror, putting the last
touch on his well oiled hair, i'll let thi,
night pass without finding out just how ]
stand with Melinda Martin, then I'm q
cow The cri ter's always acted so pesky
skitfish there's no getting AROUND her.
like her and she knows it, and I'm inclin-
ell to think she likes me; but she likes more
than one string to her bow, and ain I sure
but she'd slip me at any minute If she
could make better bargin. Maybe I'm
doing her an injustice, and / hope / am
but she acts sometimes 'tarnally like a
real coquette, and don't know what to
make Of her. But Moonlight he added,
fitting an immensely wide brimmed hat
upon his shining head. to night I'll settle
the matter-I'll cross the Rubicon, If get
my boots full of water. Melinda amt got
q bad speek and might do worse most
anywhere else -
DO tell me If its como to thatl' exclaim- :
ed old Mrs. Chickweed, who had entered
the room. unnoticcd by her son. in time to
hear his last sentence-sWell. I've long
had notion that you was amin in that
ere direction. joe turned red from his
eye-winkers to his ankles and looked very
sheepish. He worked very bus;ly too, for
. few seconds. with brushing some mag
mary dust from place between the shoul-
ders Of his coat, which he couldn't reach,
but he said nothing.
There amt nothing to be ashamed on
Joe, continued the loquacious old lady,
apparently greatly pleased at making the
discovery she had, and you spoke Gospel
truth when you said you might do worse
elsewhere Melinda's a nice gal.
We'll. said Joe. gaining some courage
from his mothers manner, I'm glad you
think SO, for I'm bound to make her my
wife, if
If what. asked the old lady.
well. if everything's favorable.
Don't you fear anything's agin it.
You Just do your duty Joe, and Melinda
yourn. Remember the farm.
1T is fine farm, no mistakel said the
young man earnestly.
No better farm of its size in the whole
county than the Widder Martin's!' said
Mrs. Chickweed in an emphatic tone.
No think not
And then see how it is stocked; tive
yoke of the best steers in all these parts
besides their two horses; saving nothing OF
The rest of the critters. And, of course
s.iey'i all go with Melinda when the wild
der's dead, and before. too, for you will
60 right on to the farm as soon as you
marry, and take charge of everything
.. ITS good opening. that's fact, said
Joe. but l put higher valuation on Me-
linda than all the property
And well you should; though the farm
and fixiE's amt to be despised.'
'Oh, / amt one to despise them.
Doe laughed and left the room. and soon
after left the house,, and made his way
IS expeditely as the gloom would permit,
towards. the residence OF the Widow Mar
tin. 4 light was burning in the trout
room. but the window curtains were close
y drawn, SO that he could not get view
into the apartment as he passed along the
yard. He knocked at tho door aud was
admitted by the widow in person, who,
after inquiring benevolently after his
health, ushcred him into the parlor.
1t was already occupied by two persons
Melinda and Reuben Sparks, the latter a
young man who had recently returned to
Springfield from California, and was look.
ed upon with special disfayor by the
young farmer
Joe was welcomed by the Young
lady, not so cordially as formerly. and by
no means SO cordially as Joe thought his
due. He was greeted by Mr.. Sparks in o
sort of j.king. condcscenling way, that
raised his ire inwardly. However the
conversation that followed was apparent
u agreeably to all parties. and the even
ing wore away till the widow retired, when
Mr.. Sparks intimated that it was perhaps
time for him to be retiring, as it was quite
. little walk To- the village. Melinda al
once asserted that it was very early indeed
and he should not think ofleaving so soon
whereupon Mr.. Sparks was induced t.
remain while longer, and Mr.. Chick
weed was secretly enraged that Melinds
should be so taken mp with the compsn,
of q young spris. set
Califoraia became the topic of CONVEX
sation, and Reuben Sparks shone brilliant
~ in his descriptive accounts of the coun
Try and what he had done there.
Then you weren't in the diggings? in
.quircd Joe, in response to something hi
rival had uttered. BY no means, reptile
Sparks. loftily. Il left digging to thos
who were used TO it. ] haln'ta taste tha
way ~a,s
oh, then ron stopped in towns r
sCsstainly." pse
- Business. spose. 6rst rate therer
yes. "A young man of talent viii 500
engage himself in profitable employment
:. THAI spect you must have done extra
.ssdinary well!' said Joe. in tone he il
issnded should be sarcastic. 49, - 80
OH replied the other. laughing in
Inssning way, and winking with one ey
= thsyoung lady, who appeared to TAX
cd enjoy it accordingly-.as for that ma
~ Iesn't complsin. l think / improve
ny chaucesI rather think Ibid. No,
d6s.t eoDplain. by no means
Then why didn't you stay longer
Yop. Weren't gone hut . short time: yo
shou]d have staid year or two more, an
- vosyrue1f indencndent ffti - f<tt