Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-07-24

les. n young man OF thIehb VIII eoO"
engage himself in profitable employment
Then spect you must have done extra.
ordinary well !" said Joe, in tone he inten-
ded should be sarcastic.
"Oh! u replied the other, laughing in n
meaning way, and wnking with one eye ut
the young lady who appeared to take end
enjoy il acco-diugly--"es for that matter |
can't com plain. think improved my chan
ces-I rather Thick / cid. No don't COM
plain BY no means"
"'Ther why didn't you stay longer? You
weren't gone but short time; you should
have stayed year or two more, aud made
yourself independent"
perhaps am independent already; | say
perhaps. OF course can't tell you the exact
amount made--that, think, is quite unne-
cessary."
ooh quite"
"And perhaps, too, there were attractions
in this part of the world as alluring MS gold.
lie looked knowingly at Malinda az he
spoke and gave her another wink, which that
yonng lady seemed TO relish, though she
blushed and appeared wonderfully embarras.
sed for n moment. Joe noticed what occur
red, and ddu't at all fancy the course affairs
seemed to be setting. He knew that he
should feel and appear peculiarly savage, if
he remained much longer, and so he hnted
that it was about time for him to be going
and what served 20 onrage him more than
aught else, Melinda appeared to be of the
same mind, for she offered no objection. So
he took his bat and departed, with tirmuess
in his step and bitterness in his heart.
81 don't like the looks of things at ALL" lie
muttered to himself, as he walked on through
the dark; "she's altogether too tender with
hnt oh IN ha 70 | Lo hue
not turned her head, then there's mistake
somewhere. | don't believe he has brought
money enough from Caliiorny to buy rope
TO hang him. He's after the widder's farHl,
now, to make it up, I'll bet my hat. Yes, sir,
he means to catch Malinda, and I've been
fool enough to wait till this time before COM
ing TO final point But perhaps it amt too
late yeti" he added. after few moments re-
Election "maobe she'll consent to have me
yet. if lose no time in asking her. I'll try
it, vow | will. III 60 over again to.mor-
row, and have the thing settled"
Aud having come to this conclusion, he
hurried forward, and soon after was dreaming
Of Malinda Martin, the widow, himself, and
an infinite number Of Reuben Sparkses, who
were all endeavoring to chase him up a steep
hill and beat his brains out with bar. Of Cali
fornia gold.
Mrs. Chickw"ed was most anxious next
morning to learn from her son the result Of
his mission to the widows, but Joe was 81.
lent and pensiye avoiding his mothers eye,
and keeping away from the house as much as
possible. Late in the evening he carefully
dressed himself in his best suit, and with
lock Of determination stamped upon his fra-
lures, he once more set out to visit the tickle
Melinda.
L., bor a.,
"lope you spent an agreeable evening
yesterday" remarked Joe after he bad passed
the usual compliments, and seated himself
near the young lady.
"Oh, yes, did, | assure YOU" was the re.
"Mr. Sparks ! should say, is n very enter
tanning young man"
Joe didn't think anything Of the kind, but
quite the contrary.
ale is, indeed responded Melinda
Joe looked anything but pleased at this en-
comiuIr on lis rival, and sat for some mo-
ments in utter silence. At length he turned
to the young lady and spoke:
81 came here last evening" be said, "with
the intention Of speaking to you on a parti.
cular subject, but | found you so engaged
that ! determined 10 call again tonight, and
$3.50"
"llere you are" said Melinda, smiling at
his embarrassments.
YES here | am And, now that I'm here
I'll tell you what have come for. You
know ] love you. I've told you as much
more'n once. and I've hattered myself that
weren't indifferent to You. But now wish
you to tell me if you really love me in return,
and if | may hope to make you my wife.
Will you marry me p
Joe, having arrived at this important ques-
tion, looked tenderly aud appealipgly into
her face, and breathlessly awaited her reply.
She colored slightly, and beat her eyes to the
ground.
You are quite right" she said, "in suppo.
sing that you are not Indifferent to me, for
regard you very highly"
Then all my fears have been groundless !"
uttered Joe, exultingly.
But" continued the lady, Il cannot very
we'll grant your wish regarding"
What =! cried Joe, his countenance sud.
denly changing.
81 cannot very well marry you -
"And why can't you? I'd like TO know
what's to hinder your marrying me if you
think enough of me-
There is one reason in particular"
"What is itf"
"l'm engaged TO another !"
Joe turned pale.
Sparks !" lie cried-"tell me, is it Sparks ?"
"Well and il it is?"
- knew it Blast him, knew what he
was after !"
~ don't know that Mr., Sparks has acted
in any way as he should not y remarked the
young lady, warmly,
"He's cheatiu' villain y replied Joe, in
dgnantly.
You don't know him he's nothing of the
kind !"
Its you that don't know him but you
will before long. I've been deceived, and /
amt afraid to say so !" continued he, snatch.
ing up his hat; "it's the money 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"
lie rushed from the house as he uttered
these words, and hurried homeward. He
found his mother still up, and was eagerly in.
terrogated by her us TO the luck he had met
with. He told her ALL and little coincidence
was she enabled TO offer him in return.
For two or three days following, Joe
Chickweek said very little, but he thought
much. One morning he met his mother with
smiling face and a sort of triumph in his
look. The old lady was somewhat surprised
at this sudden change in her sons manner.
why, what on airth's the mutter now.
Joe 7" said she "hope you amt goin' 10 90