Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-09-02

her eyes With a vacant stard upon 'hel
sons face.
"Well," said Joe, II hope you dom
see any thing that's aSin it.
"No-nol" stammercd his mother, re
towering somewhat from theshock she
had received; "but are you ssnfiy. in air
nest, Joe-witl- marry q Widder?'
"To be sure [ will, and that's the
whole of it. I'm going to see her this
very day, I'll marry her if she'll have
me, and be revenged on Malinda for
cutting me as she has for that blasted
Sparks. I'll teach 'em what'sswhatl"
Joe was as good as his word. He
sought the widow and made his propos-
al. She was more astonished than she
knew how to express, but she was more
gratifed than she was 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 entered her head, that she
could possibly secure so young and es-
timable a prize as Joe Check wocd.
Joe made it special pfoyiso. in his
proposal, that they should be married
privately the day before the marriage Of
Sparks with the widows daughter, and
that it should be kept secret till that
wedding had taken place To this the
widow readily agreed, although it was a
hard task sometimes for her to restrain
the enjoyment she experienced, and pro
vent the secret being discovered.
The evening before the udptials of
Sparks and Melinda at length arrived,
and all the preparations for the cere-
nony on tie ensuing day werejcomple-
ted When darkness had fairly set in,
while Melinda WAS so occupied with the
company and conversation Of l:er soon
to be husband as to be completely OBJ
Iiquious to all else, Mrs Martin eau
tiously left the house, and meeting Joe
near at hand she hastened with him to
the residence of the Chickweeds. The
minister, who had been admonishcd to
secrecy, was in attendance. and in less
than half an hour after Joe was a mar
ried man, and the no longer widow was
on her way back to her home-parting
from Joe with a single, but. earnest
kiss, with which he was contcat to sat-
isfy himself, considering Waassa as ~
follow on the morrow.
The wedding passed of next day to
the entire satisfaction of all parties.-
The affair took place in the morning at
the residence Of the bride, and at the
hour of noon all the guests, with the
exception Of Chickweed, who had been
formerly Invited, had departed. Why
he remained so long il itpuxled the new
ly married pair to surmisc, as they had
not supposed he would be present at all.
Joe took it very easily, however, and
seemed quite unembarrassod by oeca-
sional bantcrings of happy Sparks.
II s'posc," said Joe, addressing him
self to the newly made husband, as they
was all assembled in the parlor togeth-
er-"I s'poso you'll take up your resi-
dcnce in the village right away-buy
you nice house and live fashiona-
bly?"
''Oh, no." replied Mr. sparks-''don't
know as I shall.
''M hat! Wall now I cal'clate you
don't have any idea of settling on a
farm! You amt used to that work you
know"
Don't know but may" said Sparks,
assuming careless air and tone, ''com
ing on hot weather you know, and liv-
ing in town is bore in summer. Yes,
think l shall try country life for q
while, [ amt in the best of health, and
a farm life may improve me-"
"Well," responded Joe, deliberately. ;.
II can't say that I'm sorry you're going
to stay with US. [ think myself that it
would be to your benefit to worl, on a
farm for while; and we'll try to make
it as comfortable for you as we cam
Mr.. Sparks looked at him, and Ms.
Sparks looked at him, then they looked
at one another and laughed.
NO doubt, remarked Mr.. Sparks,
you'll! make a very agreeable neighbor
very agreeable indeed"
;Oh, well be nearer than roi-Al'ors
good sight-of course we VIII, sail
Joe, zlancing with look Of Intelligence
towards the former window.
Again 5Lr. and Mrs. Sparks glanced
AT one another, but this time they did
not laugh
What do you moan?" they asked
simultaneously.
oh, excuse mo, 1 forgot that you
didn't know what has tranSpircd The
laCt Is, inc NllOW mere ana lnyScll, lah-
ing mutual likeness to each other.
were married last night! We should
have invited you 10 The wedding, but
we know you were so engaged"
"Nhat-married!'' cried Mr.. Sparks,
springing to his feet, while look OF
sorrow oversprcad his features. His
wife sat pale as ghost, utterly unable
to sneak 4 word
''Certainly, married, said Joe, coolly.
is this so!'' he inquired turning to
the late widow.
You may rely upon all he says" she
replied.
"Then I have been swindled-impo-
scd upon-dcceived! And you knew OF
this also, and led me onr' he continued
in violent tone addressing his wife,
You worked to get me while this infer
nal cheat gets all the property"
"No-it's not so, exclaimed Melinda
bursuing into tears, Il knew nothing Of
it. And [ thought you married nc for
myself, and not Ger my money-you pre-