Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-08-20

"Just this, said Joe. leaning over to reach
his mothers ear--"TH marry the widderl
Mrs. Chickweod, expecting, as she was,
something startling. wasn't prepared for this.
She uttered an exclamation Of unbounded
surprise. started upward from her seat, and
then sank back and fixed her eyes with a va
cant stare upon her sons face.
"Wel." said Joe, 81 hope you don't see
anything agin it ~
Mono 90 stammered his mother. recov-
ering somewhat from the shock she had re-
ceivod; "but arc YOU really in airncst. joe
will you marry the wilder p
40 be sure ] will, and that's the whole of
it. I'm going mp to see her this very day
I'll marry Der if she'll have me. and be re-
yenged on Melinda for cutting me as she has
for that blasted Sparks. I'll teach en- what's
what"
Joe was as good as his word lie sought
the widow and made his proposal She was
more astonshcd than she knew how 20 OK
press, but she was more grathed than aston
ishcd. Fresh and fair as she was, consider
ing her years. she had never given over the
idea of winning another husband but it
/ had never entered her head that she could
possibly procure 40 young and cstimablc a
prize as Joe Chickwecd.
Joe made it a special proyso in his propo-
sal that they should be married privately the
day before the marriage of Sparks with the
widows daughter. and IL should be kept a
secret till that wedding had taken place. To
this the widow readily agreed, although it
was a hard task for her to restrain the enjoy
ment she experienced and prevent the secret
being discovered
The evening before the nuptas 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-bc husband as TO be completely OBJ
livious to oil else, Mrs. Martin cautiously left
the house. and meeting Joe near at hand, she
FASTENED with him to the residence of the
Chickwecds. The minister, who had been
duly admonishcd to secrecy. was in attend
ance and in less than half an hour thercaf-
ter, Joe was married man, and the no long
longer 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 fol-
low from so doing on the morrow.
The wedding passed off next day TO the en-
tire satisfaction ofal, parties. The affair took
place in the morning at the residence of the
brides at the hour OF noon all the guests. with
the exception Of Joe Chickwecd, Departed
Why he remained so long it puzzled the new
ly married pair TO surmise, as they had not
supposed ho would be present at all. Joe
took it very easily, however, and seemed quito
unombauassed 10y the occasional gatherings
of the happy Sparks.
81 spose, said Joe, addressing himself to
-he newly made husband. as they were as
sembled in the parlor iogeihcr-"I spose
you'll take up your residence in the village
night away-buy You a nice house and live
ioshionably J!
90 no, replied Mr. Sparks-"don't know
as ] shall.
/ "What well, now, ! calclate you don't
( have any idcar of settling en- farm:-you
amt used to that work, yon know
Dom know but 1 may, said Sparks as
] Stunning a careless air and tone; coming on
hot weather, you know and living in town is
a bore in summer. Yes. think shall Try
country life for while; l amt in tine best o
health, and farm life may improve me-
"Well. responded Joe, deliberately, can
say that am sorry you're going to stay will
MS. think myself that it would be to youi
= benefit to work on a farm for while anc
we II try to make it as comfortable for you o.
we can
Mr.. Sparks looked at him; then the!
looked at ono another and laughed
mo doubt, remarked Mr.. Sparks, "youl
make very agreeable neighbor-yery agree
able, indeed.
80, VOL be nearer than noighbors, gooc
? sight-of course we will, said Joe, glancinl
] with look of intelligence toward the tormc
widow
Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glanced at on
another, but this time they didn't laugh.
"What do YOU mean :" they asked stimuli
taucously.
90 excuse mo; / forgot that you didn'
know what transpircd The fact is, the Wild
. ow, here, and myself, taking mutual hkin.
to each other. were married last night w,
should have invited YOU TO the wedding, bu
we knew you were so engaged"
"What married :" cried Mr. Sparks
spripgiug to his feet, while a look of horror
ovcrspread his features. His wife sat pale a
e ghost, utterly unable to speak word.
Certainly, married" said Joe. cooly.
lis this so ?" he inquired, turning to tn,
late widow.
you may rely upon all he says" she re
= piled.