The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1858-10-30

fully embarrassed for moment, J,s
noticed what occurred and didn't fancy
the course affairs sce4acd to be tpkinG
lie knew that he should feel AID appear
peculiarly savage il he remained much
longer, and he hintcd it was abou, time
for him to be going--and what served to
enraIe him more than ausht else, Me-
Ilnda al pcared to be of the same mind
Tor She offered no objection. So he took
his hat and departed with frmness in his
step aud bitterness in his heart.
81 don't like the looks of things at ALL"
he n'uttcred to himself as he walked on
through the dark, 'she is altogether too
tender to tha. chap to be agreeable to me.
II he has not turned her head then
there is mistake somewhere. | don't
believe he has brought enough money
from California to buy rope to hang
himself. He is after the widder's farm
now tc make it up, I'll bet my bat, Yes,
sir, he means to catch Melinda, and I've
been foe. eH"ngh to wait till this time
before coming to 6nal point But per-
haps i amt to late yet. may be she will
consent to Lave HE ye, if lose no time
IN asking her Ill try it, | vow | viii
III 20 over again to morrow aud have the
thing settled"
And, having come to his conclusion,
he hurried forward, aud soon after was
dreaming Of Melinda Martin, the widow
herself, and an Infinite number of Rcu-
ben Sparkses, who were chasing him
up steep hill and cndeayoring 20 beat
his brains out with bars of California
gold.
Mrs Chickwecd was most anxious, next
morning to learn trom her son the result
OF his mission to the ',idow's but Joe
was silent and pensi'e, avoiding his moth
er's eyes and keeping away from the
house as much as possible. Late in the
evening he carefully dressed himself in
his best suit, and with look of deter
minaton stamped on his features, he de-
termined TO visit the fcklc Melinda once
more.
lie found her at home alone
"uopc you spent an agreeable evening
yesterday remarked Joe, after he had
passed the usual compliments, and seat
ed himself near the lsdy.
"Oh, yes. did, assure you" was
tn" quick reply.
"NIr. Sparks, l should say, is very
entertaining young man"
Joo didn't ink anything ot the kind,
but quite the contrary.
"He is, indeed" responded Melinda.
Joe looked anythn. but pleased at
this cnconum on his rival, and sat for
some moments in lencc.
At length he turued to the young lady
and spoke
Il cane here last evening with the in
tention Of speaking with YOU on partIc
ular subject, but | fouad you so engaged
that determined to call again tonight
and So
"Hc-e YOU are" said Melinda, smiling
Al his embarrassment.
Yes, here | am. And now that | III
here. II tell you a: once what I've come
here for. You know | love you. I've
told YOU Of much more'n n once, and I've
flatte-ed myself that if weren't indif,
ernt to you. But now | wish you to tell
ma if you really love me in return, aud
if | may hope to make you my wife
viii you marry me?'
Joe, having arrived at this important
question, looked tenderly aud appeal
incly into her face, aud breathlessly
waited h,r reply-shc colored slightly
and bent her eyes to the noOr.
"You are quite right" she said, "in
snpposing that you are not Indifferent to
me, for | regard you very highly"
Then all my fears have been grourd-
less" uttered Joe exutingly.
But them continued the lady, Il
cannot very well grant your WISHES re-
garding-'
"What." cried Joe, his eountenanca
suddenly changing.
~ cannot very we'll marry you.'
"Why cant YOU? Ia like to know what
is to hinder your marrying meif you think
enough Of me"
! There is one reason in particular.
What is itt''
/ "I'm engaged to another
! Joe turned pale.
! Sparks" he cried; "tell me--tell me
is i, Sparks"
j ell.-and If it is?''
II know it, Blast him, knew what
/ he was after"
/ II don't know as Mr. Sparks has act
cd in any wav as he should no., romark
ed the Young lady warmly
. He's cheating william replied Joe
Indignantly.
You dou't know him; he is nothing
of the kind"'
ats YOU tha, don't know him; bn'
vou will before long. I've been deceived
and amt afraid to say so. it's the money
he pre.ends to have that's lust me wife
but when you want to touch 1t, just Al
ike NJ not you won't be able
He rushed from the house as he ut
tered these words, and hurried home
/ ward
/ He found his mother still up, and wa
eagerly in,errogsted by her as to IT,.
luck he had met with. lie told her all
and little condolence was she able Il
offer in return.
For two or three days following 10
Chickweed said very little, but he though
much. One morning he met his mothe
with smiling face, and sort Of tr'
umnh in his look The old lady wa
soniewha. surprised at this sudden chang
in her sons manner.
.Whv, what on earth's the matter now
Joe" said she; II hope you amt goln
crazy?" :,
NO, By long shot" replied Joe, .
amt quite so big a fool as that
Then what ails your
.Oh. I've got it all arranged at last
I've got him now.