Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-12-23
Gbe Stprp Geller.
Joe cRlcKWEED's C0URTsHIP'
BY LOUIS N. BURDITT.

Joe cRlCKWEED'S C0URTSHlP'
BY LOUIS N. BURDITT.
uI VOW r' said Joe Chickweed, as be stood
before the parlor mirror, putting the last
touch to his well-oiled hair, elf let this
nigh. pass without finding out just how
stand with Maliuda 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 to her bow, andI amt sure but
she'd slip me any.piuute if she could make
better bargain. Maybe I'm doing her an
Injustice; and I hope I am; but she acts
sometimes 'tarnally like real ooquette, and
don't know what to make Of her. But to-
night" he added, fitting an immensely high
and immensely wide brimmed hat upon his
shining head, "to.night I'll settle the mat
ter-I'll cross the Rubicon, if get my
boots full of water. Maliuda amt got bad
speek, and might do worse most anywhere
else"
nDo tell, if it's come to that" exclaimed
old Mrs. Chickweed, who had entered the
room uuaoticed by her son, in time to hear
his last sentence-"well, I've all along had
notion that you was Amin in that ere d.
fectiou."
Joe turned red from bis eye-winkers to
his ankles, and looked very sheepish. He
worked very busily, too, for few seconds,
with brushing some iraginary dust from
place between the shoulders Of his coat,
which he couldn't reach, but he said moth
ing. =
nThere amt nothin' to be ashamed on,
Joe5" continued the locuacious old lady, ap-
parently greatly pleased at making the dis
oovery she had, "aud you spoke Gospel truth
when you said you might do worse elsewhere
Maliuda's nice gal.
"Well," said Joe, gaining some courage
from his mothers manner, ssI'm glad you
thiuk so, for I'm bound to make her my
wife, if
"If what?" asked the old lady.
aWell, if everytbiug's favorable"
.Don't your fear anything again it. You
jest do your duty, Joe, and Malinda's yourn.
Remember the farm"
"It's 6ue farm, no mistake" said the
young man, earnestly:
.Ne better farm of its size, in the whole
country, than the widow Martin's," said
Mrs. Chickweed, in an emphatic tone.
"No. think not"
"And then see how it is stocked two
yokes of the best steers in all these parts,
besides their two horses; sayin' nothin' of
the rest of the critters. Aud of course they
will all 20 with Malinda when the widder's
dead, and before, too-for you'll go right on
to the farm as soon as you marry, and take
charge Of every thing"
"1t's good opening, that's fact" said
Joe "but 1 put higher value on Malinda
than all the property"
"And we'll you should; though the farm
and 6xins amt to be despised."
"Oh, aint one to despise them"
Joe laughed and left the room, and soon
after he left the house, and made his way as
expeditely as the gloom would permit, to-
wards the residence of the widow Martin.
A light was burning in the front room, but
the window curtains were closely drawn, so
that he could not get view into the apart
ment as he passed along the yard. He
knocked at the door, and was admitted by
the widow in person, who, after enquiring
benevolently after his heath, ushered him
into the parlor. 1t was already occupied by
two persons-Maiinda and Reuben Sparks,
the latter a young man who recently return
ed to Springfield from California, and was
hooked upon with special disfavor by the
young farmer.
Joe was welcomed by the young lady, not
50 cordially as formerly, and by no means so
cordially as Joe thought his due. He was
greeted by Mr.. Sparks in sort of joking,
condescendiug way, that raised the ire in
wardly. However, the conversation that
followed was apparently agreeable to all par
ties, and the evening wore away till the
widow retired, when Mr.. Sparks intimated
that it was perhaps time for him to be re.
turning, as it was quite little walk to the
village. Malinda at once asserted that it
was very early indeed, and he should not
think of leaving so soon whereupon Mr..
Sparks wasinduced to remain while longer,
aud Mr.. Chickweed was secretly enraged
that Malinda should be so taken up with the
company of young sprig.
California became the topic of converse.
tion, and Reuben Sparks shoue brilliantly
ia his descriptive accounts of the country,
and what he had done there.
"Then you wern't in the diggius?" en-
quired Joe, in response to something his RI
val had uttered.
"By no means" replied Sparks, loftily.-
81 left digging to those that were used to it
/ hadn't taste that way"
"Oh, then you stopped in town?'
"Cer:aiuly."
"Business, spose, first rate there?"
eyes. A young man of talent will soou
engage himself in profitable employment"
s'Theu l spec you must have done extra
ordinary WE'LL" said Joe, in tone he inten
ded should be sarcastic.