The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-07-14
moments in utter silence. At length he
turned to the young lady and spoke

a particular subject, but found you so
engaged that l determined TO call again
tonight, and so-so-'
Here you are said Melinda, smiling
at his embarrassment.
Yes, here l am. And now that I'm
here I'll tell you what 1 have come for
You know love you. I've told you as
much more'n once, and I've Aattered my
self 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
question, looked tenderly and appealingly
into her face, and breathlessly awaited her
reply. She colored slightly, and bent her
eyes to the ground.
'lol are quite right she said, in sup
posing that you are not Indifferent to me,
for regard you very highly
Then all my fears have been ground
less = uttered Joe, exutingly.
'But, continued the lady, Il cannot ve-
ry well grant your wish regarding
What = cried Joe, his countonance sud-
denly changing.
L cannot very well marry you
And why cant you ? I'de like to know
what's to hinder your marrying me you
think enough of me-"
There is one reason in particular
What is it 7
Pm engaged to another =
Joe turned pale.
Sparks p he cried-'tell ale, is it
Sparks p
We'll and if it is p
i knew it Blast him, | knew what
he was after y
1 don't know that ar. Sparks has acted
in any way as he should not . remarked
the young lady warmly.
He's cheatin villain y replied Toe in-
dignantly.
You don't know him he's nothing of
the kind y
It's you that don't know him but you
will before long. I've been deceived, and
amt afraid to FAY so = continued he'
snatching 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 wont be able.
He rushed from the house as he utter.
ed these words, and hurried homeward.
He found his mother still up, and was ca
gerly interrogated by her as 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
Chickweed said very little, but he thought
much. One morning he met his mother
with smiling face and sort of triumph
in his look. The old lady was somewhat
surprised at the sudden change in her sons
manner.
why, what on airth the matter now,
Joe 2 said she; hope you amt goin' to
20 crazy
Not by long shot, replied Joe l
amt quite SO big fool as that.
Then what ails you?
oh, I've got it all arranged at last
Ive got 'em now
Who ? What p
Why Melinda and that vagaboud Rsu.
ben Sparks ha ha -Ill surprise
him.
We'll, how are you goin' to do it
oh, it's all right p said Joe, laughing.
ly-I'll do it, darned if don't I'll fix
the sneaking critterp
But how-hote, Joe. Can't you speak
out :? What's got in the boy p cried the
old lady, dying with the curiosity to know
what was his plan.
We'll, now, III tell you all about it,
began Joe, assuming a more sober tone,
We'll, l just wish you would"
You know the widder has always ia
vOred my keeping company with Melinda.
We'll p
And do believe she is a desp'rat,
down on that feller, Sparks, coming int
her family
'YesP
In that case she wouldn't very willing
ly let her groperty go into his hands
But according to the will of old Mr.
Martin, the property amt to go out of he
hands till she is dead
just so-but Sparks would have all tn,
benefit. And now I'm coming to the poin
its just there I'm going to floor Reube
Sparks ?
We'll 90 let me hear
The widder Martin herself ai'nt ba
looking woman ! Joe remarked, 10 sor