Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-07-24
srlttt Gale.
JOE CHICKWEED'S CCURTHIP
AND now HE WAS CUT OUT.
BY LOUIS n. BURDICK.

II VOW" said Joe Chickweed as he stood
before the parlor mirror, putting the last
touch to his well oiled hair, "if | let this night
pass without finding out Just how stand
with Malinda Martin, then I'm COW. The
critters always acted so pesky skittish there's
been no getting around her | like her. and
she knows it, and I'm inclined to think she
likes me; but she likes more than one string
on her bow, and | amt sure but she'd slip me
any minute if she could make better bar
gain. Maybe I'm doing her an injustice, and
l hope am 1; but she acts sometimes tarnai-
II ike red coquette, and don't know what
to make Of her. But tonight" ho added, fit
ting an immensely high, and an immensely
wide brimmcd hat upon his shining head,
"to night I'll settle the mGttor-l'll cross the
RG5icon, if get my boots fall of watcr.-
Malinda amt bad spec, and l might do
worse most anywhere else"
do tell if it's come to that Z" exclaimed
old Mrs Cbickweed, who had entered the
room, unnoticed by her son, in time to hear
his last sentenCe--"well. I've all along had
notion that you was Amin in that ere direc.
ton"
Joe turned red from his eye-winkers to bis
ankles, and looked very sheepish. He work
ed very husiy, too, for a few seconds, with
brushing some imaginary dust from place
between the shoulders OF his coat which he
couldn't reach, but he said nothing.
There amt nothiu' to be ashamed on,
Joe" continued the loquacious old lady, ap-
parently greatly pleased at making the dis
corery she had, "and you spoke gospel truth
when you said you might Go worse else where.
Melindas nice gal"
"Well," said Joe, gaining some courage
rom his mothers manner, "lm glad you
think SO, for I'm bound to make her my wife,
if"
"lf what?" asked the old lady.
"WeIl, if everything's favorable"
Don't you fear anything's agin it. You
just do your duty, Joe, and Malindas yourn,
remember the farm"
"lt is fine farm, no mistake !" said the
young man, earnestly.
mo better farm of its size in the whole
county than the Wilder Martin'sw said Mrs
Chickweed, in al emphatic tone.
mo, think not"
"And then see how its stocked; two yoke
of the best steers ia oil these parts, besides
her two hOsses, sayin nothing of the rest of
the critters. And, Of course they'll all go
with Melinda when the widder's dead, and
before too, for you will go right onto the farm
as soon as you marry, and take charge of ey-
erything."
Its good opening that's fact" said
Joe; but put higher value on Melinda
than all the property"
And well you should; though the farm
and tiXin's amt to be despsed."
"Oh, amt one to despse 'em !"
Joe laughed and left the room, and soon
after he left the house, aud made his way as
expeditey as the gloom of the evening would
permit, toward the residence Of the Widow
Martin. A light was burning in the front
room, but the window curtains we're 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 inquirng
benevolently after his health, ushered him in-
to the parlor.
1t was already occupied by two persons
Melinda and Reuben Sparks, the latter q
young man who had recently returned to
Sprngyille from California, and who was
looked upon with special dislavor by the
young farmer.
Joe was welcomed by the young lady, but
rot SO cordially as formerly, and by no means
so cordially as Joe thought his due. He was
greeted by Mr.. Sparks in a sort Of iokipg
cohdescending way, that raised his ire in.
wardly. However the conversation that fol.
lowed was apparent agreeable to all parties,
and the evening wore away till the widow re.
tired, when Mr.. Sparks intimated that it was
perhaps time for him to be returning. as ii
was quite little walk to the village. Melin.
da at once asserted that it was very early in,
deed, and he should not think of leaving so
soon whereupon Mr. Sparks was induced to
remuin while longer and Mr.. Cbiekweed
was secretly enraged that Melinda should be
so taken up with the company of the young
sprig
California became the topic of converse
tion, and Reuben Sparks shone brilliantly in
his descriptive accounts of the country, aud
what be had done there.