Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-08-13

this. She uttered an exclamation of un-
bounded surprise, started upward from
her seat, and then sank back and fixed ;
her eyes with vacant stare upon her
sons face.
'No-nop stammered bis mother, re-
covering somewhat from the shock she
had received; but are you really in
arnist, Joe-will you marry the widder?'
TO be sure 1 win, and that the whole
of it. Pm going up to see her this very
day. I'll marry her if she'll have me,
and be revenged on Melinda or cutting
me as she has for that-blasted Sparks
I'm 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 express, but she was more graft
]. fed than astonished. Fresh and fair as
she was, considering her years, she had
never given over the idea of winning
another husband but It had never en-
tered her head that she could possibly
procure so young and estimable prize
as Joe Chickweed.
Joe made it a special proviso in his
proposal that they should be married
t privately the day before the marriage of
Sparks with the widows daughter, and
5 it should be kept a secret till the we'd
ding had taken place. To this the wild
ow readily agreed, although it was a
2 hard task for her to restrain the enjoy
ment she experienced, and prevent the
secret being discovered.
The evening before the nuptials Of
Sparks and Melinda at length arrived,
and all the preparations for the ccremo-
ny on the @qsuing day were completed.
{ When darkness had fairly set in, while
{ Melinda was so occupied with the COM
/ pany and conversation of her soon-to-be
husband as to be completely oblivious to
: all else, Mrs. Martin cautiously left the
/. house, and meeting Joe near at hand
IS she hastenod with him to the residence
e of the Chickweeds. The minister, who
Il had been duly admonished to secrecy
o was in attendance and in less than hall
an hour thereafter, JUv was d married
e man, and the no longer widow was OIL
e her way back to her home-parting from
is Joe with a single but enormous kiss, with
Of which he was content to satisfy himself
IS considering what was to follow on the
;e morrow from so doing.
The wedding passed off next day tc
er the entire satisfaction of all parties.-
It The affair took place in the morning a
the residence Of the bride, and at tht
hour of noon all the guests, with the ex
ception of Joe Chickweed, departed
Why he remained SO long it puzzled th'
= newly married pair to surmise, as the,
had not supposed he would be present a
all. Joe took it very easily, however
Id and seemed quite unembarrassed b,
Sc the occasional banterings of the happ,
Sparks.
4 'spose, said Joe, addressing himseI
g to the newly made husband, as they wer
II assembled in the parlor together"
'spose you'll take up your residence il
gu the village right away-buy you mic
!? house and live fashionably
ty Oh, no. replied Mr.. Sparks don
know as shall
it, 'What well, now Tcalc'late you don
:. have any idea Of settling On a farm
you amt used to that work, you know
Us Don't know but may said Spark
Ie- assuming a careless air and tone CON
ing on hot weather, you know, and Twin
in town is bore in summer. Yes, thin
ate shall try country life for while;
Ito amt in the best of health, and farr
life may improve me-
WELL responded Joe, deliberatel,
i'll can't say that I'm sorry you're going I
Is stay with US. ! think myself that
Ir. would be to your benefit to work on
ler farm for a while; and we'll try to max
it as comfortable for you as we can ?
all Mr.. Sparks looked at him then the
to looked at one another and laughed.
to No doubt remarked Mr.. Spark
you'll make a very agreeable neigh,
very agreeable indeed
t 'Oh, wen be nearer than neigh5ors,
in good sight-of course we will said Jo
an glancing with look of intelligence t'
zee. ward the former widow.
ith Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glane'
pa at one another, but this time they didr
laugh.
on What do you mean ? they asked 4
multaneously.
Oh, excuse me / forgot that y
d;d,'. L,,,o,,, ,.bat fransDired The IA