Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-08-28
NJ | S c Z L L A n Y.
JOE CHICKWEED'S COURTSHIP
AND HOW HE WAS CUT OF |

81 VOW" said Joe Chickweed, as he stood be-
fore the parlor mirror, putting the last touch to
his well-oiled hair, if let this night pass with
out finding out Just how | stand with Melinda
Martin, then | am a COW. The crittur has al
ways acted so pesky skttish that there's no get
tin round her | like her and she knows it, and
I'm inclined to think she likes me but she likes
more than one string to her bow, and amt
sure but she'd ship me any minute if she could
make better bargain. Maybe I'm doing her
an injustice, and hope / am, but she acts some
times 'tarnally like real coquette, and don't
know what to make of her But tonight" he
added, fitting an immensely wide brimmed hat
upon his shining head, ''to-night I'll settle the
matter-rll eros, the Rubicon if get mi boots
full of water. Melinda amt bad spec, and
might do worse most anywhere else
"Do tell il it's come to that! !! exclaimed old
Mrs Chickweed, who had entered the room un-
noticed by her son, in time to hear his last SEN
tence-"well, I've long had notion that you
was aimin' in that direction
Joe turned red from his eye-winkers to his
ankles, and look ed very sheepish. lie worked
very busily, too, fora few seconds with brushing
some imaginary dust from a place between the
shoulders of his coat, which he couldn't reach,
but he said nothing
"There amt nothing to be ashamed on, joe"
COnlluucN lllt lOVuuCiOuS OlO ltuN, apparently
greatly pleased at making the discovery she had,
'and you spoke gospel truth when You said you
might do worse elsewhere. Melinda's nice
ga'
"Well. 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
"lf what" asked the old lady.
"Well if anything's agin it,
"Nou just do your duty, Joe, and Melinda's
yourn. Remember the farm
at is fine farm, no mistake" said Joe, ear
nestly.
"No better farm of its size inthe whole coun-
try than the widder Martins, said Mrs. Chick
weed, in an emphatic tone.
mo, think not"
"And then see how it is stocked two yoke
of the best steers in all these parts, besides her
two horses, saying nothing of the rest of the
critters. And, of course theyl'all go with Me
linda when the widder's dead, and before, too,
for you will go right on the farm as soon as you
marry, and take charge of everything"
"lt's good opinion, that's a fact" said Joe !;
"but put higher value ON Melinda than all
the property
"And well you should, though the farm and
fixin's amt to be despised"
"Oh, amt one to despse 'em.'
Joe laughed and left the room, and soon after
he left the house, and made his way as expe-
ditiously as the gloom OF the evening would per-
nit, towards the residence of the widow Martin.
a light was burning in the front room, but the
window curtains were closely drawn, so that he
could not get view into the apartment as he
passed along the yard lie knocked at the door,
and was admitted by the widow in person, who,
after inquiring benevolently after his health,
ushered him into the parlor.
1t was already occupied by two persons-Me.
linda and Reuben Sparks, the latter young
man who had recently returned to Springville
from California, who was looked upon with es-
pecial disfavor by the young farmer.
Joe was welcomed by the young lady, but not
so cordially as formerly, and by no means SO
cordially asJ oe thought his due. lie was greet
ed by Mr. Sparks in sort ofjoking, condescend-
ing way, that raised his ire inwardly Howev-
er the conversation that followed was apparent
ly agreeable to all parties, and the evening wore
away till the widow retired, when Mr.. Sparks
intimated that perhaps it was time for HIM to
be retiring as it was quite a little walk to the
village. Melinda at once asserted that it was
very early indeed, and he should not think Of
leaving so soon; whereupon Mr.. Sparks was in
duced to stop while longer, and Mr.. Chick.
weed was secretly enraged that Melinda should
be so taken up with the young sprig.
California became the topic of conversation
and Reuben Sparks shone brilliantly in his de-
scriptiye accounts Of the country. and what h,
had done there.