The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-07-14

able to all parties, and the evening wore
away till the widow retired, when Mr..
Sparks intimated that it was perhaps time
for him to be returning, as it was quite
little walk to the village. Melinda at
once asserted that it was very earley in
deed, and he should not think of leaving
so soon whereupon Mr.. Sparks was in-
duced to remain while longer, and Mr..
Chiokweed was secretly enraged that Me-
linda should be so taken up with the COM
pany of young sprig.
California became the topic Of CONVEX
sation, and Reuben Sparks shone brilliant
ly in his descriptive accounts of the coun.
try, and what he had dono there.
Then you weren't in the diggin's ?" in
quired Joe, in response to something his
rival had uttered.
by no MEANS" replied Sparks, ,loftily.
-" left digging to those that were used
to it. l hadn't a tase that way"
"Oh, then you stopped in town ?"
Certainly"
" Business, l sposo, first rate there"
Yes, a young man of talent will
soon engage himself in profitable employ
ment !"
"Then | spect you must have done ex.
traordnary well p' said Joe, in a tone he
intended should be sarcastic.
"Oh ~ replied the other laughing in
meaning way, and wiuking with one eye
at the young lady, who appeared to take
and enjoy it accordingly" as fer that
matter l can't complain. think l inn
proved my chances-I rather think did.
No, don't complain by no means"
Then why didn't you stay ger?--
You weren't gone but short time you
should have stayed year or two more,
and made yourself independent
Perhaps I am independent already;
/ say perhops. Of course can't tell you
the exact amount l made-that, l think,
is quite unnecessary"
"Oh quite"
" And perhaps, too, there were attrac-
tions in this part of the world as alluring
as gold"
He looked knowingly at Melinda as he
spoke and gave her another wink, which
that young lady seemed to relish, though
she blushed and appeared wonderfully eu.
barrassed for moment. Joe noticed what
occurred, and didn't at all fancy the course
affairs seemed to be setting. He knew
that he should feel and appear peculiarly
savage, ifhe remained much longer, and so
be hinted that it was about time for him
to be going and what served to enrage
him moro than aught else, Melinda ap-
peared to be Of the same mind, for she Of
fered no objection. So he took his hat
and departed, with frmness in his step
and bitterness in his heart.
81 don't like the looks of things at all,
he muttered to himself as he walked on
through the dark; she's altogether too
tender with that chap to be agreeable to
me- II he has not turned her head, then
there's mistake somewhere. | don't be-
leve he has brought money enough from
Californy to buy rope to hang him. Hes
after the widder's farm, now, 10 make it
up, III bet my nat. Yes sir he means to
catch Melinda, and I'yo been fool enough
to wait till this time before coming to
final point. But perhaps it amt too late
yet !" he added, after few moments re-
fection; maybe she'll consent to have
me yet, if lose no time in asking her.
III try it, vow will. I'll 60 over
again tomorrow, and have ths thing set
tied"
Aud having come to this conclusion, he
hurried forward and soon after was dream
ing of Melinda Martin, the widow, him
self and an infinite number of Reuben
Sparkses, who we're endeavoring to chase
him up steep hill, and beat his brains
out with bars of California gold.
J Mrs Chckweed was most anxious next
morning to learn from her son the result
of his mission to the widows, but Joe was
silent and pensive, avoiding his mothers
eye, and keeping away from the house as
much as possible. Late in the evening be
carefully dressed hsmself in his best suit,
and with look of determination stamped
upon his features, he once more set out to
visit the tickle Melinda
He found her at home and alone.
Hope you spent an agra cable evening
yesterday" remarked Jo,, after he had
passed the usual compliments, and seated
himself near the young lady.
"Oh, yes, | did, l assure you" was the