Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-08-21

~.
Aud she amt very old, neither, con-
tinued he with the same air
Why, she can't be more than fertv,
so think, and she has good chance
Of living forty more
Well, end what Of it?'
''Just this,v said joe leaning over to
reach his mqther's ear--TN marry the ieid.
der r.
Mrs, Chickweed expecting, as she was,
something startling, wasn't prepared for
this. She uttered an exclamation of nm
bounded surprise started upward from her
scat, then sank back and fixed her ewes
with vacant stare upon her sons face
Well said Joe, i hope you don't say
anything that's agiu it,
'No-Nov stammered bis mother, re-
covering somewhat from the shock she re
ceiyed; but are you really in earnest, Joe,
viii you marry the widder p
| TO be sure / sill, and that's not the
whole Of it, I'm going up TO see her this
very day. III marry her if she'll have me,
and be revengcd on Melinda for cutting me
as she has for that blasted Sparks. III
teach 'em what's what T
Joe was as good as his word He sought
the widow and made his proposal She
was more astouished than she knew how to
express, but she was more grati6ed than
she was astonished. Fresh and fair as she
was considering her years, she had not
given up the idea Of winning another hns-
band; but it had never entered her head
that she could possibly secure so young
and estimable prize as Joe Chickweed.
Joe made it special proyiso in his pro-
posal that they should be married privately
the day before the marriage Of Sparks with
| the widows daughter, and that it should
be kept secret till the wedding had taken
place To this the widow readily agreed,
although il was hard task sometimes for
her to restrain the enjoyment she expe-
renced, and prevent the secret being
discovered.
The evening before the nuptials Of Sparks
and Melinda at length arrived, and all pre-
parations for the ceremony on the ensuing
day were completed. When darkness had
fairly set in, while Melinda was so occupied
with the company aud conversation of her
soon.to-be husband as to be completely OBJ
lligious to all else Mrs. Martin cautiously
left the house, and meeting Joe near at
hand, she hastened with him to the resi-
dence of the Chickweeds The minister,
who had been duly admonishsd to secrecy,
was in attendance, and IN less than half an
hour thereafter Joe was a married man,
and the no longer widow was on her way
] back home; parting with joe with single
but very enormous kiss, with which be was
con tent to satisfy himself considering what
was to follow, from SO doing, ou the NOR,
row.
The wedding passed off the next day to
the entire satisfaction of all parties. The
affair took place at the residence of the
bride, and at the hour Of pocn all the
guests, with the exception of Joe Chick
weed, who had been formally invited, had
departed Why he remained so long it
puzzled the newly-married pair to surmse,
as they had not supposed he would be pre-
sent at all. Joe took it very easily, how
ever, and seemed quite embarrassed by the
occasional banterings of the happy Sparks
II 'spose," said Joe, addressing himself to
the newly-made husband, as they were all
assembled in the parlor together--'I sposc
you'll take up youF>residence in the village
right away-bOg you nice house and live
comfortably" 2"
oh, no. replied Mr.. Sparks, 'don't know
as SHALL
| What Well now, l calclate you don't
have any idea OF settling On a farm You
amt used to that kind of work you know
Don't know but 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 conRtry life for willie; | amt in
the best of health, and a farm life may i'm
prove me-
Well responder Zoe deliberately, cant
cay that Pm sorry you're going 10 stay
with us ] think myself that it would be
10 your benefit 20 work ON farm for
while, ard we'll try to make il comfortable
as possible for YOU
Mr. Sparks looked at him, then they
looked at each other and laughed
No doubt FeGaTked Mr.. Sparks, you'll
make o very agreeable neighbors very
agreeable indeed
oh, we'll be nearer than ueighbors,
good sight-of course we win, said Joe,
glancing with look Of intelligence toward
The former widow,
! ABdiu 44t. duu AutS. Srdlho tAOhc9 "
one another, but this time they didn't
laugh.
What do you mean 2 they asked stimuli.
taneously.
o. excuse me; / torgot that you didn't
know what bad had transpired- The fact
is, the widow here and myself, taking a
mutual liking to each other, were married
last night. We should have invited you
to the wedding, but we knew you we're SO
engaged
What married z cried Mr.. Sparks,
springng to his feet, while look of kor-
ror overspread bis features. His wife sat,
pale as ghost, utterly unable to speak a
word
Certainly married. said Joe eoolly.
rs this so 2 he inquired, turning TO the
late widow.
You may rely upon al be says,
/ Then have been swindled--imposed
upon-deceived And you knew Of this
also. aud led me on he continued ia a vio-
lent tone, addressing his wife. You work
4 ed tn ret me. whiia this Internal cheat getg