The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-09-23

and quite the contrary.
He is. indeed responded Melinda
Joe looked anything but pleased a
this encomium on his rival, and set 70,
some moments in utter silence. A
length he turned 10 the young lady and
spoke:
I came here last evening" he said,
with the intention of speaking to you
on particular subject but l found you
so engaged that l determined to cal
again tonight, and $3.50
Here you are.' said Melinda, smi-
ling at his embarrassmcnts.
Yes, here / am. And now that am
here I'll tell you what l have come for
You know love you. I've told you as
much more'n once. and I've fiattered
myself that l werne't Indifferent to you
But now / wish you to tell me if you re.
ally love me in return, and if may hope
to make you my wife-Will you marry
me 2
Joe, having arrived at this important
question, looked tenderly and appeal
ingly into her face, and breathlessly y
awaited her reply. She colored slightly
aud bent her eyes to the ground.
You are quite right she said, in
supposing that you are not Indifferent to
me. for l regard you very highly
Then all my fears have been ground
less Y uttered Joe, exultingly.
But continued the lady,, / cannot
very well grant your wish regarding
What T cried Joe, his countenance
suddenly changing.
Il cannot very well marry you!
And why can't you? I'd like to
know what's 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 tell me, is il
Sparks p
well and if it is?'
Il knew it Blast him, / knew what
he was after !
Il don't know that Mr.. Sparks has ac-
ted in any way as he should not! 7 re-
marked the young lady warmly.
He's a cheetin' villain p replied Joe,
Indignantly.
You don't know him; +; he's nothing
of the kind =
Pts you that don't know him /; but
you will before long. I've been de-
ceived, and l amt afraid to say so 7
continued he, snatching up his hat it's
the money he pretends to have that's lost
me a wife, but when you want to touch
it, just as like as not you wont be able.
He rushed from the house as he utter
ed these words, and hurried homeward
He found his mother still up, and was
eagerly interrogated by her as to 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
Chickweed said very little, but he tho't
much. One morning he met his mother
with smiling face and sort of triumph
in his look The old lady looked some
what surprised at this sudden change in
her sons manner.
why, what on airth's the matter
now. Joe p said she hope you ain t
going 10 go crazy
Not by long shot,, replied Joe, Il
amt quite SO big fool as that
Then what ails you 2
'Oh. I've got it all arranged at last
I've got 'em now'
Who? What?'
why, Melinda, and that vagabond,
Reub Sparks-ha! ha !-I'll surprise
him =
We'll how are you going to do it?'
Why. it's all right 7 said Joe, laugh.
ing slyly--'I'll do it darnd if / don't
III fix the sneaking critter.'
But how-how. Joe Can't you
speak out? What's got into the boy
cried the old lady, dying with curiosity
to know his plan.
Well now I'll tell you all about it.
began Joe, assuming more sober tone.
Well, just wish you would
You know the widder has always "a
vored my keeping company with Malin-
da.'
well p
And is desp'rate down on that feller,
Sparks. coming into her family
Yes 2
In that case she wouldn't very will
lingly let her property so into her
hands,
But cording to the will Of old Mr..
Martin the property amt to go out Of
her hands till she is dead
Just so-but Sparks would have all
the benefit. And now I'm coming to
the pint-it is just there am going to
floor Reuben Sparks =
We'll do let me hear =
The widder Martin herself ain't a
bad looking women Joe remarked. in a
sort Of mysterious tone Of voice. glanc-
ing up suddenly in his mothers face.
'No-but what is that got to do with
the matter ? replied the old lady. impa-
tiently.
And she amt very old, neither.
continued he, with the same air.
Why she can't be MORN forty.'
So should think and she has a
good chance of living forty more
We'll, and what Of it?'
Just this,' said Joe, leaning over to
ranch his uothorSa oars- m .,.,.... IL =