The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-07-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
Joe Chickweed's Courtship, and
how he was cut out.
BY LOUIS n DURpICK

JOG CHlckWCSi' COuttSulp, ana
how he was cut out.
BY LOUIS y. DURp1cK
d" vow !" said Joe Chickweed as he
stood before the parlor mirror, putting The
last touch TO his well oiled hair, if 1 let
this night pass without finding out Just
how l stand with Melinda Martin, then
I'm a COW. Tho critters always acted so
pesl;y skittish thero's been no getting round
her. lik. her, and she knows 1t, and
I'm inclined to think she likes me but
che likes more than one string to her bow,
and amt sure but she'd slip me any
minute if she could make Setter bargain.
Maybe I'm doing her an injustice, and
hope | am; but she acis sometimes 'tarnal-
ly like red coluette, and | don't know
what to make Of her. But tonight" he
added, fitting all immensely high and an
immensely wide brimmed hat upon his
shining head, tonight I'll settle the mat
ter-pll cross the. Rubicon, if l get my
btots full Of water Melinda amt bad
spec, and [ nigh do worse most anywhere
else"
Do tell f It's come TO that p exclaim-
ed old Mrs. Chickweed, who had entered
the room, unnoticed by her son, in time to
| hear his last senteucc--" well I've all
along had notion that you was aimin' in
that ere direction.
Joe turned red from his eye-winkers to
his ankles. and looked very sheepish. He
worked very busily too, for few seconds
with brushing some imaginary dust from
a place between the shoulders of his coat
which he couldn't reach, but he said moth
ing.
There amt nothin to be ashamed on,
joe" continued the loquacous old lady,
apparently greatly pleased at making the
discovery she had, " and you spoke gospel
truth when you said you might do worse
elsewhere. Melindas nice gal"
Well said Joe, gaining some courage
from his mothers manner, " I'm glad you
think so, for I'm bound to make her my
wife, f."
IF what ?" asked the old lady.
"Well, if everything's f.voi able"
Don't you fear anything's agin it,
You just do your duty Zoe, and Melinda's
yourn. Remember the farm
" 1t is fine farm, no mistake p' said
the young man earnestly.
No better farm of its size in the whole
country than the Widder Martins !" said
Mrs. Cbickweed in an emphatic tone
No, think not"
And then see how it is stock ed two
yoke Of the best steers in all these parts,
besides their two horses, sayin' nothin' of
the rest Of the critters. And, of course
they'll all go with Melinda when the wild
der's dead, and before, too, for you will go
right onto the farm as soona you marry,
and take charge Of everything"
It's good opening, that's fact )" said
Joe "but I put higher value on Me-
linda than all the property"
"And well you should though the
farm and fxin's aint to be despised,"
"Oh, oint one to despisc them"
10 laughed aud left the room, and soon
after he left the house, and made his way
as expeditely as the gloom of evening
would permit, towards 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 apartment as he passed
along the yard. BE knooked at the door
and was admitted by the widow in person,
who, after inquiring benevolently after his
health. ushercl him into the parlor.
1t was alre e,dy occupied by two persons
-McliuJa and Reuben Sparks, the latter
young man who recently returned TO
Springfield from California aud who was
looked upon with special disfavor by the
young farmer,
Joe was welcomed by the young lady
not so cordially as formerly, and by nc
means 70 cordially as Joe thought his due
He wsa greeted by Mr. Sparks in sort
Of joking condescending way. tina. raised
his ire inwsrdiy. However, the CONVEX