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

Joe locked anything but pleased a
this enconium on his rival and sat fo1
some moments in utter silence. A
length he turned to the young lady
and spoke.
~ came here last evening"" he said
'with the intention of speaking to yor
on particular subject, but found you
so engaged that determined to call a
gain tonight, and $685.
''Here you are,' said Melinda, smil-
| ing at his embarrassment.
ayes, here I am. And that I'm
here, I'll tell you at once what I've
come for. You know love you; I've
told you as much morn once; and I've
fattered myself that wernt Indifferent
to you But now 1 wish you to tell me
if you really love me in return, and if
may hope to make you my wife. Will
you marry mc?''
Joe, having arrived at this important
question, looked tenderly and appeal
ingly into her face, and breathlessly "a
waited, her reply. She colored slightly,
and bent her eyes t0 the floor"
you are quite right, she said, Gin
supposing that you are not indifferent
to me, for l regard you very highly
''Then all my fears have been ground
less!" uttered Joe, exuItingly J.
But" continued the lady, L cannot
very we'll grant your wish regarding
"Whatp' cried Joe, his countenance
suddenly changing.
~ cannot very we'll marry you!'
"And why can't you? I'd like 10
know whats 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, he cried-''tel me, is it
Sparks?''
"Well, ifit is?"
Il knew itl Blast him, knew what
he was afterl"
Il don't know that Mr.. Sparks has
acted in any way as he should not!'' re-
marked the young lady, warmly.
Hes cheating villain! replied Joe
Indignantly.
"You dom know him; he's nothing
of the kindl
TITS you that don't know him; but
you will before long. I've been dccciv-
cd and I amt afraid to say so!'' contin-
ued he, snatching up his hat; Its the
money he pretcnds to have that's lost
me wife; but when you want to touch
it, just as ike as not you wont be lbIc!"
He rushed from the house as he ut
tered these words, and hurried home
ward. He found his mother still up,
and was eagerly questioned by her as
10 the luck he had met with. He told
her all, and little coincidence was she
enabled to offer him in return.
For two or three days following, Joe
Chickwecd said very little, but he
thought much. One morning he met
his mother with smiling face; and
sort of triumph in his look. The old
lady was somewhat surprised at this sud
den change in her sons manner.
"Why, what on airth's the matter
now, Joe?" said she; "hope you amt
going to go crazy?'
''Not by long shot," replied Joe,
Il amt quite SO big fool as that"
"Thcn what ails your
''Oh, I've got it all arranged at last
I've got 'em now!''
"Who! What?"
''Why, Melinda, and that vagabond
Reuben Sparks ha!-I'll surprise
him!''
"Wcll, how are you going to do it?''
"Oh, it's all right" said Joe, laugh
ing silly: IN do it, darned if 1
don't! III fix the sneaking critter!"
But how, Joe? Can't you speak out?
What's got into the boy?' cried the old
lady, dying with curiosity to know what
was his plan.
''Well, now, I'll tell you all about it,
began Joe, assuming il sober tone.
'"WeiI, just wish you would"
''You know the widow has always IA
vorcd my keeping company with Nelin
da."
s.A ell!''
"And I do believe she's dcsp'ratc
down on that fellow Sparks coming in
her family"
Yes"
s:In that case, She wouldn't very
willingly let her property 50 into bis
hands"
''But 'cordiu to the will Of cid Mr.
Martin, the property ain 10 go out Of
her hands till she is dead
uS' -put HpafhS "ouio nave all
the benefit. And now I'm coming to
the point-its just there I'm coming to
the pin't-its just there I'm going to
floor Reub Spark
"Well, do let me hear
"The widdcr Martin herself amt a
bad looking woman!" Joe remarked in
a sort of mysterious tone of voice, CLAN
cling up suddenly into his mothhcr's
face.
"No-but what's that got to do with
the matter?'' replied the old lady, i'm
patiently.
"And she amt worry old, neither"
continued he, with the same air
"Why she can't be more'n forty"
$50 l should think; and she has
Il good chance of living forty more?"
"Well, and what of it?"
Just this, said Joe, leaning over to
reach his mothers car-''IlI marry the
widder!"
Mrs. Chiekwood, expecting, as she was,