The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-07-14
And she amt very old, aeither,' continued
he with the same air.

chance Of living forty more.
We'll, and what Of it p
Just this, said Joe leaning over to
reach his mothers ear-'PU marry the
aci1dey p
Mrs. Chickweed, expecting as she was,
something startling, wasn't prepared for
this. She uttered an exclamation Of un-
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, 4 hope you don't see
anything agin it,
Mono = stammered his mother, re-
covering somewhat from the shock she
hadreceived; but are you really in airnest
Joe,-will you marry the widder
To bo sure will, and that's the whole
of it. I'm going up to see her this very
day. I'll marry her if she'll have me, and
be revengcd on Melinda for cutting me as
she has for that blasted Sparks I'll teach
'em what's what =
Joe was as good as his word. He
sought the widow and made his proposal.
She was more astonished than she knew
how to express, but she was more graft
fed than astonished Fresh and fair as
she was, considering her years, she had
never given over the idea of winning an-
other husband but it had never entered
her head that she could possibly procure
SO young and estimable a prize as Joe
Chickweea
Joe made it a special proviso in his pro-
posal, that they should 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 ta-
ken place. To this the widow readily
agreed although it was a hard task some
times for her to restrain the enjoyment
she experienced, and prevent the secret
being discovered .-..
The evening before the nuptials of
Sparks and Melinda at length arrived ,and
all the preparations for the ceremony on
the ensuing day were completed. When
darkness had fairly set in. while Melinda
was SO occupied with the company and
conversation Of her soon-to-be husband
as to be completely oblivious to all else,
Mrs Martin cautiously left the house, and
meeting Joe near at hand, sho hastened
with him to the residence of the Chick
weeds. The minister, who had been duly
admonished to secresy, was in attendance;
and in less than half an hour thereafter
Joe was married man, and the no long
er widow was on her way back to her
home parting from Joe with single but
enormous kiss, with which he was content
to satisfy himself, considering what was
to follow from SO doing on the morrow.
The wedding pa ssed off next day to the
entire satisfaction of all parties. The af.
fair took place in the morning at the resi-
dence of the bride, and at the hour Of
noon all the guests, with the exception of
Joe Chlckweed, departed. Why he re-
mained SO long it puzzlad the newly mar
rid pair to surmise, as they had not sup
pused he would be present at all. Joe
took it very easily, however, and seemed
quite unembarressed by the occasional
banterinss Of the happy Sparks.
spose, said Joe, addressing himself
to the newly made husband, as they were
assembled in the parlor together-'I s'poss
you'll take up your residence in the vii
lage right away-buy you nice house
and live fashionablyp
Oh, no. replied Mr.. Sparks-'don't
know as ] shall.
What Well, now, l calc'late you
don't have any idear Of settling on a
farm ?-you amt used to that work, you
know
Don't know but l may said Sparks,
assuming careless air and tone; coming
on hot weather, you know, and living in
town is bore in summer. Yes, think |
shall try country life for while; aint
in the best of health, and farm life may
} improve me-
WELL responded Joe, deliberately,
cant say that I'm sorry you're going tc
stay with US. | think myself that il
would be to your benefit to work on farm
for while; and we'll try to make it a'
comfortable for you as we canp
Mr.. Sparks looked at him then they
looked at one another and laughed.
No doubt remarked Mr. Sparks
you'll make very agreeable neighbor-
, very agreeable indeed
oh, ws'll be nearer than neighbors,
good sight-of course We will,' said Joe
| glancing with a look Of intelligence tOwar'
! the former widow.