The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-09-23


covering somewhat from the shock she
had received but are you really in ear
nerst, Joe-will you marry the widder 7
TO be shure I will, and that's the
whole Of it. I am going to see her this
very day, / will marry her if she will
have me, and be revenged on Melinda
for cutting me as she has for that blasted
Sparks, III teach 'em what's what!'
Joe was as good as his word. He
sought the widow and made his propo-
sal. She was more astonished than she
knew how to express, but she was more
grateful than astonished. Fresh and fair
as she was, considering her years, she had
never given over the idea of winning an
other husband; but it had never entered
her head that she could procure so
young and estimable prize as Joe
Chickweed.
Joe made it special proviso in his
proposal, that they should be married
privately the day before the marriage of
Sparks with the widows daughter, and
it should be kept secret till that wed
ding had taken place. To this the wild
ow readily agreed, although it was !,
hard task sometimes for her to restrain
the enjoyment she experienced, and pre-
vent the secret before discovered.
The evening before the nuptials Of
Sparks and Melinda at length arrived.
and all the preparations for the cere-
mony on the ensuing day were compile
ted. When darkness had fairly set in,
while Melinda was so occupied with the
company and conversation of her SOON
to-be husband as to he completely obliv-
ious to all else, Mrs. Martin cautiously
left the house, and meeting Joe near at
hand, she fastened with him to the res
idence Of the Chickweeds. The minis
ter, who had been duly admonished to
secresy, was in attendance and in less
than half an hour thereafter Joe was a
married man, and the no longer widow
was Oh her way back to her home-par-
ting from Joe with a single but enor-
nous kiss, with which he was content to
satisfy himself, considering what was TO
follow from so doing on the morrow.
The wedding passed off next day to
the entire satisfaction of all parties. The
affair took place in the morning at the
residence of the bride, and at the hour of
noon all the guests, with the exception
of Joe Chickweed. who had been formally
invited, had departed. Why he remain
ed SO long it puzzled the newly married
pair to surmise, as they had not supposed
he would be present at all. Joe took it
very easily, however, and seemed quite
unembarrassed by the occasional banter
ings Of the happy Sparks.
Il s'pose, said Joe, addressing him
self to the newly made husband. as they
were assembled in the parlor together
Il s'pose you will take up your residence
in the village right away-buy you a
new house and live fashionable =
'Oh, no. replied Mr.. Sparks don't
know as l SHALL
What Well, now, l calc'late you
don't have any idea Of settling on farm?
You amt used to that work, you know
Don't know but l may said Sparks,
assuming careless air and tone COM
ing on hot weather, you know, and liv-
ing in town is a bore in summer. Yes,
think l shall try country life for while /;
/ aint in the best of health, and farm
life may improve me-
We'll, responded Joe, deliberately,
can't say that Tine sorry that you are
going to stay with us. l think myself
that it would be to your benefit to work
on a farm for while !; and we'll try to
make it as comfortable for you as we
can q
Mr.. Sparks looked at him then they
looked at one another and laughed.
No doubt, remarked Mr.. Sparks,
you will make very agreeable neigh
bor--very indeed
oh, we'll be nea rer than neighbors, a
good sight-of course We will, said Joe,
glancing with a look Of intelligence to-
ward the former widow.
Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glanced at
one another, but this time they did not
laugh.
What do you mean p they asked sim
ultaneously.
'Oh. excuse me l forgot that you
did not know what had transpired.-
The fact is, the widow. here, and myself.
taking mutual liking to each other.
were married last night! We should have
invited you to the wedding. but We knew
you were so engaged
What! married ! cried Sparks,
springing to his feet, while lock Of hor-
ror overspread his features. His wife
sat pale as ghost unable to speak a
word.
Certainly. married. said Joe, cool
ly.
Is this SO p he inquired. turning to
the late widow.
You may rely on all he says she
replied.
Then have been swindlcd-imposed
upon-deceived And you knew of
this also, and led me on p he continued,
in a violent tone addressing his wife
: You worked to get me, while this in
fernal cheat gets all the property =
'No-it's not so = exclaimed Melinda,
bursting into tears. l knew nothing of
it, and thought you married me for my
self, and not for money-you pretended
to have enough Of that yourself !
Reuben Sparks smiled sickly and a