The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-08-12

know os shail.' .- /
. What1 Well, now, calc'late you
dOn't haVe'ahS idear Of settling on a farm
-yOu ain't Used to that work. you know,
Don't know but may; sdid Sparks as
suming a careless air and tone; coming
on hot weather, ycu know, and living in
town is a. tore in summer. Yes, think
shall try country life FOR a while amt
in the best health, and a farm life may i'm
proVesme.' ,s- z5a '
Well,' responded Joe, deliberately,
can't say that I'm sorry you're going to
stay with us. think myself that it would
be to your benefit toswork on farm for a
while and we'll try to make it as comfor.
table for you as we can.' lt ..5. ,.
Mr.. Sparks locked at Aimg then they
looked at one anotherfand laughed. "a
No doubt replied Mr.. Sparks, you'll
make a very agreeable neighbor-very
agreeable indeed
'Oh, we'll be aearer than peighbors, q
good sight--of course we will said Joe,
glancing with look Of intelligence toward
the former widow. @ rs r.a.4
Again Mr. and Mrs. Sparks glanced at
one another, but this time they didn't
laugh.
'What do you mean 9 they asked sim
ultaneousIy. -...
'Oh, excuse me; Iforgot that you didn't
know what trunspired. The fact is, the
widow, here and myself, taking mutual
liking to each other, were married last
night. We should have invited you to
the wedding, but we knew you were SO en-.
gaged--'"" Sc .....,
- What! married 2 cried Mr.. Sparks,
springing TO his feet, while look OF horror
overspread his features. His wife sat pale
asa ghost, utterly unable to speak word.
- Certainly, married. said Joe, coolly.
Is this SO !! he enquired, turning TO the
late widow.
you may rely upon all he says she re.
piled. % #aEa @
Then have been swindled-imposed
upon--deceived !. -And you knew Of this
also, and led me on!' he continued ia a
violent tone, addressing his wife. You
worked to net me, while this internal cheut
gets all the. property '.t3
mo - it's not so,' exclaimed Melinda,
bursting into tears; knew nothing OF it.
And ] though. you married me for my.
self, and not for money--you pretended to
have enough.o of that yourself, es--s..
Reuben Sparks smiled sickly and scorn.
fu smile.
'It'seven as ! thought !; his moneys SO
deep in the bank that he never'll be able to
dig it OUT remarked Joe, ..- FL. ..
'You schemiDs rascal gusped Sparks,
looking as if it would be pleasure to eat
him entirely up, body and bones.
| 20, fire away it don't hurt any and
I've got long lease Of the farm
! 'You scoundrel =
'And the horses and steers -S
j -+Oh, you miserable cheat F!
HAnd the fixins generally r
| .Eool! .2gg f Af
4 'And moreover continued Joe, assum.
ing more sober and sterner tone, and
grasping Sparks firmly by the collar as he
spoke among other things, I've got q
word or two OF advice for you. You mar,
red Melinda in the expectation of stepping
into snug little property. pOlming yourself
off as man Of means to accomplished
your end. You,are. the real schemer, but O
part Of your scheme has failed. Take my
advice, and it will be well with you; ust
your wife as you know you should--go tt
work like man and strive to be an honest one
And, finally, don't let me hear you max,
use Of any more such expressions as yol
just now bestowed upon me, or I'll thrasl
you within an inch of your life. Remem
Der, added Joe, giving him a shake, as ,
terrier would rat, you're my son now &C
. cordng to law, and you must heye sligh
show Of respect for4 your father.' ..ag ;
Reuben Sparks seemed to come at one
to his senses. and after little reflection
concluded that the advice he hbd receive
) was, upon the whole, the best he could &C
} upon; aqd for many year thereafter. Jo
Chickweed looked upon him as q most va
|, luablc assistant.