Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-07-07

from Joe with q single but gerry enormous
kiss, with which he was content to satisfy
himself, considering what was to follow
from SO doing on the morroF.
The wedding passed off next day to the
entire satisfaction of all paSties. The af-
fair took place in the morning, at the hour j
of noon all the guests, with the exception
of Joe C~hickweed, who had BEEN formally
invited, had departed. Why he remained
SO long it puzzled the newly married pair
to surmise, as they had not supposed he
would be present at al. Joe took it very
easily, however, and seemed quite unem-
barrassed by the occasional banterings of
the happy Sparks. =,
Il 'spose,' said Joe, addressing himself
to the newly-married husband, asi they
were all assembled in the parlor together
Il s'pose you'll take up your residence
in the village right away-buy you a nice
house and live fashionablyY
'Oh, no. replied Mr.. Sparks-'don't
know as [ SHALL
well! Well, now, l calculate you don't
have an idea of settling on . farm You
amt used to that kind of work, you know
Don't know but I 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 l
shall try country life for a while | ain'tin
the best of health, and a farm life may i'm
prove me-
well, responded Joe, deliberately, cant
say that I'm sorry you're going tostay with
US. 1 think myself that it would be to
your benefit to work on a farm for a while
!, and Wen try to make it as comfortable fol
you as we can J
Mr.. Sparks looked at him /; and Mrs.
|, Sparks looked at him ; then they looked al
l one another and laughed.
No doubt remsrked Mr.. Sparks, you'll
make a very agreeable neighbor-very
agreeable indeed
3 'Oh, We'll be nearer than neighbor,
! good sight-of course we WILL said Joe
: glaucing with a look # intelligence towarc
u the former widow.
L Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glanced a
one another, but this time they didn'
= laugh.
o What do you mean?' they asked simu'
taneously.
I Oh excuse me forgot that you didn
know what has transpired. The fact i
the widow here and myself, taking a mi
'e tual liking to each other, were married la
night We should nave invited you
the wedding, but we knew you were
III eDgaged-
l." what! marriedp cried Mr.. Spark
springing to his feet, while a look of he
1,g ror overspread his features. His wife S
ii as pale as a ghost, utterly unable to spe
a word.
Certainly married. said Joe, coolly.
is this so ? he inquired, turning to
oW late widow.
You may rely upon all he says she
piled.
Then l have been swindled-impos
upon-deceived And you knew of t
Ia, also, and led me on he continued, in
Ia violent tone, addressing his wife. y
worked to get me, while this Internal ch
,Wn gets all the property!
ner 'No-its not So exclaimed Melin
bursting into tears Il knew nothing Of
And l thought you married me for mys
ng- and not for money /; you pretended to b
enough of that yourself!
Mr. Reuben Sparks smiled a siekly an
her ~scornful smile.
Its even as | thought his money
the deep in bank that he %never'll be able
'uo. dig it out remarked Joe.
You scheming rascal! gasped Spar
looking as if it would be the highest
bad pleasure to eat him entirely up, body
sort bones.
'nIy ooh, fire away it don't hurt any
-, I've got a long lease of the farm
the You scoundrel!
ate and the horse, and the steers
ooh you miserable cheatp
con- And the ixin's generally
Fool!
'And moreover continued Joe, a
5ood ming a more sober and sterner tone,
grasping Sparks firmly by the collar q
he sPoke-'among other things I've g
r TO word or two of advice for you. You
the ried Melinda in the expectation of step
into snug property, palming yourself
was, as a man of means to accomplish your
for You arc the real scheemer, but a par
un- your great scheme has failed. Take
her advice and it will be we'll with ypu ;
her your wife as you know you should
lace. work like a man-and strive to be an
t see est one. And finally, don't let me
you make use of any more such expires
=, re- as you Just now bestowed upon me, O
she thrash YOU in an inch of your life
earn member added Joe, giving him a s
Z, as a tarrier would a rat, you're my
whole now, '%cording to law, and you must b
very slight show of respect for your father
e, and Reuben Sparks seemed to come At
me as to his senses, and after q little reft
teach concluded that the advice he had rec
ought 4, upon and for many a wear after Joe
She ed upon him az a most valuable assis
? how