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

"Why Melinda and that vacabond Ecub.
Sparks-ha ha IN surprise him."
well, how arc you going to do it n
ooh, it's all right y said Joe, laughing
slyly-"l Il do it, darned if / don't. I'll fix
the sneakng critter!"
"But how--Low Joe2 Can't you speak
out? What's got into the boy ~ cried the
Old lady, dying with curiosity to know what
was his plan.
"WeIl, now, I'll tell you all about it" began
Joe, assuming a more sober tone.
well, just wish you would
"You know the wdder has always favored
my keeping company with Melinda"
"Weil %
"And do believe she is desptote down on
that ieller Sparks coming into her family"
Yes? ?'
ain that case SO wouldn't very willingly
let her property go into his hands"
But 'cording to the will of old Mr.. Mar.
tin, the property amt to 90 out of her hands
till she's dead"
just so-but Sparks would have all the
benefit. And now I'm coming to the pint
It's just there I'm going to floor Reuben
Sparks ~
"Well do let me hear !"
"The widder Martin herself amt n bad
looking woman y Joe remarked, in sort of
mysterious tone of voice, gancing up sud.
denly in his mothers face
"No-but what's that got to do with the
matter" 2" replied the old lady, impatientlv.
And she amt very old, neither" continued
he, with the same air.
"Why, she can't be more'n forty"
80 should think and she has a good
chance Of living forty more"
"NeII, and what Of it?"
Just this said Joe. leaning over to reach
his mothers earr-"IU marry the cidder :"
Mrs Chiekweed, expecting, as she was,
something startling, wasn't prepared for this.
She uttered an exclamation Of unbounded
surprise, started upward from her seat, and
then sank back aud fixed her eyes with a
vacant stare upon her sons face.
"WclI," snid joe IL hope You don't see
anything agiE it,"
"No--no - stamm,red his mother, recov.
erlng somewhat from the shock she had re-
ceived; "but are you really in ai.reet Joe
Will you marry the widder?'
TO be sure will, and that's the whole Of
IT, I'm going up to see her this very day.
II marry her if she'll have me, aud be re.
venged on Melinda for cutting me us she has
Tor that blasted Sparks. I'll teach 'em
what's what !"
Joe was as good as his word. He sought
the widow and made his proposal. She was
more astonished than she knew how to eX-
press, but she was more gratiied than aston.
ished Fresh and fair as she was, considering
her years. she had never given over the idea
OF winning another husband but it had never
eutered her head that she could possibly pro.
cure so young and estimable a prize as Joe
Chickweed
Joe made it special rroyso in his promo.
al b,t ., oil, Il 4, 4
day before the marriage of Sparks with the
widows daughter and it should be kept a
secret till that wedding had taken place. 70
this the widow readily agreed, although it
was a hard task sometimes fox her to restrain
the enjoyment she experienced, and prevent
the secret being discovered.
The evening before the nuptals Of Sparks
and Melinda at length arrived, and all the
preparations for the ceremony on the ensuing
day were completed, When darkness had
fairly set in, while Melinda was so occupied
with the company aud conversation of her
soon-to-bc husband as to be completely 90.
liyious to all else, Mrs. Martin cautiously
left the house, and meeting Joe near at
hand, she FASTENED with him to the residence
Of the Chickweeds The minister, who had
been duly admonished to secrecy, was in at.
tendance and in less than half an honr here
after Jones was married man, and the no.
longer widow was on her way back to her
home-parting from Zoe with q single but
enormous 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 en-.
tire satisfaction of all parties. The affair
took place iu the morning at the residence of
the bride, at the hour Of noon, all the guests,
i'll Al, - L.
had been formally invited, had departed.-
Why he remained SO long il puzzled the newly
married pair to surmiSe as they had not sup
posed he would be present at all. Joe. took
1t very easily, however, and seemed quite un.
embarrassed by the occasional bauteriugs Of
the happy Sparks.
Il s'pose," said Joe, addressing himself to
the newly made husband, as they were assem-
bled in the parlor together-"l s'spose you'll
take up your residence in the village right
away-buy you nice house aud live fashion.
ably -
''Oh no." replied Mr.. sparks--"don'tk know
as shall"
"What, Well, now, calc'late you don't
have any idear Of settling on q farm ?-you
amt used to that work, you know"
Don't know but / may" said Sparks. as.
suming careless air and tone coming on hot
weather, you know, and living in n town is a
bore in sumner. Yes, think shall try coun.
try lie for while amt 10 the best of health
and farm life may improve me-"
well" responded Joe, deliberately, cant
say that I'm sorry you'e going to stay with us.
| think myself that it would be to your ben
eft TO work on farm for while and we'll
try to make it as comfortable for you as we
can"
MIR. Sparks looked at him then they look,
ed at one another and laughed.
NO doubt" remarked Mr. Sparks, you'll
make very agreeable neighbor-rery agreea.
BILE indeed"
"Oh we'll be nearer than neighbors. n
good sight-ofcourse we will" said Joe, CLAN !
cling with look Of intelligence toward the
former widow.
Again Mr. and Mrs. Sparks glanced at
one another but this time they Gln't laugh. |
What do you mean ?" they asked, simdl-
taneOnsly.
"Ob, excuse me forgot that You didn't /
know what has transpred, The fact is, the
widow, here and myself, taking mutual Ii.
king to each other, were married last night
We should have invited you to the wedding,
but we knew you were so engaged-"
What married 2" cried Mr., Sparks sprn-
ging to his feet while look of horror over
spread his features His wife sat pale as O
ghost, utterly unable to speak word.