Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-08-28

"lhcn you warcnt in the diggin's ?" inquired
Joe, in response to something his rival had ut
tered.
"By no MEANS" replied Sparks, lofily. II
left the digging to those who were used to il |
had no taste that way
ooh, then you stopped in town.
Certainly"
"Busincss, s'posc, first rate thcrc?"
Eyes. \ young man of talent will soon en-
gage himself in profitable employment"
"Ihcn ! s'pcct you must have done cXtraordi-
nary well, said Joe in a tone he intended should
bc sarcastic.
"Oh," replied the other, laughing in mean
ing way, and winking with Sle eye at the young
lady, who appeared to take and enjoy it accord
ingly-"as for that matter can't complain.
think improved my chance rather think |
did. No, can't complain, hy no means
Then why didn't you stay longer? You
weren't gone but a short times you should have
stayed a year or two more, and made yourself
independent
perhaps | am Independent already; | say
perhaps. Of coufse, | can't tell you the exact
amount made-that, think, is quite unneces-
sarv."
''Oh, quite"
"And perhaps, too, there were attractions in
this part Of the world as aluring as gold"
He looked knowingly at Melinda as he spoke.
and gave her another wink. which that Young
lady seemed to relish, though She bushed and
seemed wonderfully embarrassed tor moment.
Joe noticed what occurred and didn't fancy the
course affairs seemed to be taking lie knew
that he should feel and appear peculiarly savage
if he remained much longer, and he limited it
was about time for him to be gong-and what
served to cnrage him more than aught else,
Melinda appeared to he of the same mind for
she offered no objection. So he took his hat and
departed, with trmness in his step and bitter
ness. in his heart.
81 don't like the look of things at ALL" he
muttcrcd to himself, as he walked ON through
the dark "she is altogether too tender to that
chap to be agreeable to me. If he has not turn
cd her head then there is mistake somewhere.
don't believe he has brought enough money
from California to buy a rope to hang himself
lie is after the widows farm now to make il
up, I'll bet my hat. Yes sir. he means to catch
Melinda, and I've been fool enough to wait un-
til this time before coming to a final point
But perhaps 1t amt too late vet mavhc she
will consent to have me yet, if lose no time in
asking her. I'll try it. | vow | will. I'll 20
over again tomorrow and have the thing set
tied"
And having come to this conclusion he hur-
red forward, and soon after was dreaming of
Melinda Martin, the widow, himself and an in
finite number of Reuben Sparkses who were
chasing him up steep hill and endeayoring to
beat his brains out with bars of California gold.
Mrs. Chickweed was most anxious next morn
ing to learn from her son the result of his mis-
sion to the widows but Joe was silent and pen
siye, avoiding his mothers eve, and keeping
away from the house as much as possible. Late
in the evening he carefully dressed himself in
his best suit. and with a look of determination
stamped on his features. he once more determin-
ed to visit the tickle Melinda.
lie found her at home and alone
"llOpe YOU spent an agreeable evening YES
terdoy,' remarked Joe, after he had passed the
usual compliments, and seated himself near the
lady.
''Oh, yes, did, assure YOU" was the reply.
'Mr. Sparks, | should say, is a very enter
tanning Young man ?"
Joe didn't think anything of the kind, but
quite the contrary
"lle is, indeed" replied Melinda.
Joe looked anything but pleased at this en-
comium ON his rival, and sat for some moments
in utter silence.
At length he turned to the Young lady and
spoke
81 came here last evening with the intention
Of speaking To You on particular subject, hut
found YOU 50 engaged that determined to call
again tonight and ,o-So-
'IlcTc YOU are, SilU McnHuu, NnlllllI dt ms
embarrassment.
"IeS, here | am. And now that I'm here
I'll tell you at once what I've come for. You
know love YOU; I've told you as much moren
once, and Eve fiattercd myself that weren't in
different to you. But now wish YOU to tell me
il YOU really love me III return and if ! may
hope to make you my wife. viii you marry
me?"
Joe, having arrived at this important question
looked tenderly and appealingly into her face
and breathlessly waite her reply-she colored
slightly and bent her eyes to the floor.
"iou are quite right" she said, in supposing
that YOU are not indifferent to me, for regard
you very highly"
"Then all my fears have been groundless 80
uttered Joe, eXultingly
But them continued the lady, Il cannot
very well grant your wishes regarding
"What :" cried Joe, his countenance suddenly
changing
ii cannot very well marry YOU ~
"And why can't YOU? I'd like to know what
is to hinder your marrying me if YOU think
enough of ne
There is one reason in particular"
"What is it,"
"lm engaged to another"
Joe turned pale.
"Sparks 90 he cried 'tell me-tell me, is it
SPARKS
"Well-and if it is?"
81 knew it Blast him, knew what he was
after"
81 don't know as Mr.. Sparks has acted in any
way as he should not" remarked the young la
dy warmly.
"IIe's cheating villain - replied Joe, indig-
nantly.
"You don't know him; he's nothing of the
kind"
"It's you that don't know him; but you will
before long. I've been deceived, and amt
afraid to say so it's the money that he pretends
to have that's lost me wife but when YOU
want to touch it, just as like as not you won't
be able"
He rushed from the house as he uttered these
words, and hurried homeward. He found his
mother still up, and was eagerly interrogaled 10y
her as to the luck he had met with. lie told
her all, and little coincidence was she enabled to
offer him in return.
For two or three days following Joe Chick.
weed said very little but he thought much
One morning ht met his mother with a smiling
face, and a sort OF triumph in his look. The
old lady was somewhat surprised at this sudden
l.l... >.