Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-07-31
JOE CHICKwEED,s COURTsHIP.
HOW HE AS CUT OOI.
BY LOUIS n. BURDlCk

night mass without finding out just how
stand with Melinda Martin, then Pm COW
The critters always acted SO pesky skittisl
tla.re's been no getting around her. | Ink,
her and she knows it. and Pm inclined t,
think she likes me ; but she likes more thar
one string to her bow, and | amt sure bu
she'd slip me any minute if she could make
better bargain. Maybe Pm doing her al
Injustice, and hope am; but she acts some
time tarnally like a real cOquette, and dom
know what to make of her. But tonight
he added, fitted all immensely high and az
immensely wide brimmed hat upon his shin
ming head. tonight III settle the matter-I'l
c~oSs the Rubicon, il I get ny bopts FL 3,
water Melinda amt bad speck and NIGH
do worse most anywhere else
$40 tell its como to that ~ exclaimed Ole
Mrs. Chickweed, who had entered the room
unnoticed by her son, in time to hear hi:
last sentencc-'' Well, I've all along had {
notion that you was amin in that ere direc
tion."
Joe turned red from his eye-winkers, tc
his ankles, and looked very sheepsh. Ht
worked very busily too, for a few seconds
with brushing some imaginary dust from q
place between the shoulders of his coat
which he couldn't reach, but he said moth
ing.
There amt nothing to be ashamed on
Joe,' continued the loquacious old lady, ap
parently greatly pleased at making the dis
cOvcry she had. and you spoke gospel truth
when you said you might do worse elsewhere
Melinda's nice gal"
Well said Joe, gaining some courage
from his mothers manner Pm glad you think
so, for | am bound to take her for my WIFE,
if"
If what" asked the old lady.
Well, if everythings favorable"
Don't you fear anything's agin it. You
just do your duty Joe, and Melinda s yourn
Remember the farm.
g 1t is a fine farm, no mistake !" said the
young man earnestly.
"No better farm Of its size in the whole
country than the Widder Martins! said Mrs.
Chickweed in an emphatic tone.
"NO, think not"
And then see how it is stocked two
yoke Of the best steers in all these parts, be-
sides their two horses saying 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 into
charge of everything"
"lts good opening that's fact said
Joe; but | put a higher value on Melinda
than all the property
And will you should though the farm
and fiXn's amt to lie despised.
"Oh, | amt one to despise them
Joe laughed and left the room, and soon
after lie left the house, and made his way as
eypediteiy as the gloom would permit, to-
wards the residence of the Widow Martini
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 apart
ment as he passed along the yard. He knock
ed at the door and was admitted by the win
dow in person, who, after inquiring benevo-
lcntly after his health, ushered blm into the
parlor.
1t was already occupied by two persons
Melina and Reuben Sparks, the latter a your G
man. who recently returned to Springfield
from California, and who was looked up
on with special dlsfavor by the young farm
Joe was welcomed by the young lady, not
so cordially as formerly, and by no means so
cordially as Joe thought his due lie was
greeted by MIR. Sparks in sort of joking,
conde>cending way, that raised the ire in
wartlly. However, the conversation that fol-
lowed was apparently agreeable to all parties,
and the evening wore away till the widow re-
tired, wien Mr.. Sparks intimated that 1T was
perhaps time for LIN to be returning, as it
was quite a little walk to the village. Melin-
| ia 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
remain while longer, and Mr. Chickweed
was secretly enrascd that Melinda should be
so taken up with the company of young
sprig.
California became the topic of converse
and Reuben Sparks shOne brilliantly in his
descriptive accounts of the country, and what
he had done there.
'Then you weren't in the diggin's?" nquir-
ed Joe, in response to something his rival
had uttered.
by no means,' replied Sparks, loftily. 81
left the digging to those that were used to it.
| hadn't taste that way
"Oh, then You stopped in town?'
''Certainly.'
"Busness, spose, first rate there ?"
les. young man of talent will soon eil-
gage himself in profitable employment
'Then spect you must have done extra
ordinary we'll y said Joe, in tone he intend.
ed should be sarcastic.
"Oh!' replied the other, laughing in mean
ing way, and winking with one eye at the
young lady, who appeared to take and enjoy
it accordngly-"as for that matter cant com
plain. think improved my chances
rather think | did. No, | don't complain
by no means"
"Then why didn't you stay longer?-Yo ou
weren't gone but short time; YOU should
You stayed year or two more, and made
yourselfindepcndent."
"Perhaps | am Independent already say
perhaps. OF course can't tell you the exact
amount I made-that, l think, is quite unnec.
ossary."
"Oh quite"
"And perhaps, too, there we're attractions
in this part of the world as aluring as
gold.'
lie looked knowingly at Melinda as he
spoke and gave her another wink, which
that young lady seemed to rel sh, though
she blushed and appeared wonderfully en-
barrasSed Tor a moment. Joe noticed what
occurred, and didn't at all fancy the course
affairs seemed to be seeing. He knew that
he should feel and appear peculiarly savage
if he remained much longer, and so hinted
that it was about time for him to be going
and what served to enrage him more thar
aught else, Melinda appeared to bel of the
same mind, for she offered no objection. Sc
re took his hat and departed, with frmnes.
in his step and bitterness in his heart.
Il don't like the looks of things at ALL" hi
muttered to himself, as he walked on through
the dark; she's altogether too tender with
that chap to be agreeable to me. Ifhc has
not turned her head, then there's mistake
somewhere. I don't believe he has brought
money enough from California to buy rope
to hang him. He's after the widder's farm
now, to make it up, I'll bet my hat. Yes
sir, he means to catch Melinda, and rv'
been fool enough to wait till this time befor
coming to final point. But perhaps it ain
too late yet!"she added, after few moment