Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-08-21
ASHTABULA, 0. SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST, 81. 1858.

he tnnttered to himself as he walked on
through the dark "she Is altogether too
tender to that chap Ia be agreeable TO me
If he has not turned her head, then there ia
a mistake somewhere. / don't believe he
has brought enough money from California
to buy rope to hang him. He Is after
the widders farm, now, to make II up, IN
bet my Init Yes, sir, he means 70 catch
Melinda, and I've been fool euoeEh to wait
till this time before coming to a final point
But perhaps It amt too late yeti maybe she
will consent to have me yet, II lose no
time in asking her. III try it, vow /
will. IN 60 over again tomorrow and
have the thing settled
And having come to this conclusion, he
hurried forward, and soon after was dream.
ing Of Melinda Martini the widow, herself,
aud an infinite number of Reuben Sparkses
who were endeayoring TO chase him up
steep hill, and beat his brains out with bars
Of California gold.
Mrs. Chiekweed was most anxious next
morning to learn from her son the result Of
his mission to the widows, but J oe was si-
lent and pensiye, avoiding his mothers eye,
and keeping away from the house as much
as possible. Late in the evening be care.
fully dressed himself in the best suit, and
with look Of determination stamped on
his features, he once more determined TO
visit the fckIe Melinda.
He found her at home and alone
Hope you spent an agreeable evening
yesterday" remarked Joe, after he had
passed the usual compliments, and seated
himself near the lady.
"Olr, yes, did, assure you," wos the
reply:
EAR Sparks, I should say, is very en-
tertaining young man 7"
Joe didn't think anything of the kind,
but quite the contrary.
"IIe is, indeed" responded Melinda.
Joe looked anything but pleased at this
encomium on his vival, and sat for some
moments in utter silence Al length he
turned 20 the young lady and spoke
i game here last evening with the intcn-
tion Of speaking With You on a particular
subject, but found you so engaged that
determined to call again tonight, and so
-so--'
Here you are said Melinda, smiling at
MS embarrassment.
Yes here / am. And now that I'm here,
I'll tell you at once what I've come for
You know l love you; I've told you as
much more'n once, and I've fattered my.
self that waren'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 meP"
You 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
lessl" uttered Joe, exutingly.
Then, continued the lady, I cannot
very well grant your wishes, regarding
What cried Joe, bis countepance sud-
denly changing.
\ : ] cannot very well marry yen!7
And why can't you? I'd like to know
what is to hinder your marrying me if you
think enough Of me-
There is one reason in particular
What is it?'
I'm engaged to another
Joe turned pale.
Sparks I be cried; tell me--tell me,
is it Sparks o
Well--and if it is3 a
Il knew it | Blast him, I knew what
he was after
don't know as Mr. Sparks has acted
in any way as be should not, remarked the
young lady, warmly.
He's cheating villain! replied Joe,
indignantly.
You don't know him. he's nothing of
the kind!
It's you that don't know; but you will
before long. I've been deceived, and
amt afraid to say so it's the money that
he pretends to have that's lost me wife;
but when you want TO touch it, just as like
as not you won't be able.'
He rushed from the house as be uttered
these words, and hurried homeward. He
found bis mother still up, and was eagerly
interrogated by her as to the luck be had
met with. He told her all, and little con.
dolence was she enabled to Offer him in re-
turn.
For two or three days following, Joe
Chickweed said very little, but he thought
much. One morAipg. he met bis mother
with a smiling face. and sort of triumph
in his look. The old lady vas somewhat
surprised at this sudden change in her sons
manner.
why, what on earth's tae matter now,
joe said she; hope you AMT going crazy
Not by long shot, replied Joe;
amt quite so big fool as that
Then, what ails you2
'Oh, I've got it all arranged at iasti Pye
got him now
'WhoY What p
Why, Melinda aud that vagahond Rea-
ben Sparks--ha ha l--I'll surprise kim
Well, how are you going TO do il?
'0h. it's all right said Joe, laughing
slyly, III do it--darn'd if don't; III fix
the sneaking critter.'
But how--how, Joe ? Can't yoa speak
out? What's got in the boy2 cried the
old lady, dying with curiosity to know what
was his plan.
Well, III tell you all about it,, began
Joe, assuming a moro sober tone
Well, ! wish you would
You know the wilder has always favor,
ed my keeping company with Melinda
WELL
Aud J do believe she's desperate down
on that felIer Reuben Sparks. coming into