Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-06-29
An ynter&stillg Storp
JOE CHICKwEED's CoURTsHIP
By LOUIS n. BURDITT.


Ivow!" said Joe Chickveed, as he stood
before the parlor mirror, putting the last
touch to his well-oiled hair, If let this night
pass without finding out just how | stand
with Malinda Martin, then I'm cow. The
critters always acted so pesky skittish there's
been NO getting around her. I like her and
she knows it, and I'm inclined to think she
likes me; but she likes more than one string
to her bow, and I amt sure but she'd slip me
any minute if she could make better bar.
gain. Maybe I'm doing her an injustice; and
/ hope am but she acts sometimes 'tarnal-
" like real coquette, and I don't know what
to make of her.. But tonight" he added, ht-
ting an immensely high and immensely wide
brimmed hat upon his shining head, "to-night
I'll settle the matter-Pll cross the Rubieon,
if get my boots full of water. Malinda amt
got a bad speck, and might do worse most
anywhere else"
aDo tell, if it's come to that 2" exclaimed
old Mrs. Chickweed, who had entered the room
unnoticed by her son, in time to hear his last
sentence-@well I've all along had notion
that you was aimin' in that ere direction"
Joe turned red from his eye-winkers to his
ankles, and looked very sheepish. He work
ed very busily, too, for few seconds, with
brushing some imaginary dust from place
between the shoulders of his coat, which he
couldn't reach, but he said nothing.
"There amt nothin' to be ashamed on Joe, }"
continued the loquacious old lady, apparently
greatly pleased at making the discovery she
had, "and you spoke Gospel truth when you
said you might do worse elsewhere. Main.
da's nice gall"
"Well," said Joe, gaining some courage
from his mothers manner, "Tm glad you
think 50, for I'm bound to make here my
wife, fl
ST whatr asked the old lady.
swell, if everything's favorable" .,
"Don's your fear anything's again it. You
just do your duty, Joe, and Malinda's yourn.
Remember the farm"
"It's fine farm, no mistake" said the
young man, earnestly.
"No better farm of its size, in the whole
country, than the widow Martins" said Mrs.
Chickweed, in an emphatic tone.
"No. I think not"
Sand then see how it is stocked; two yokes
Of the best steers in all these parts, besides
their two horses; sayin' nothin' of the rest of
the critters. And of course they will all 90
with Malinda when the widder's dead, and be-
fore, too-for you'll go right on to the farm
as soon as you marry, and take charge OF
every thing"
It's good opening, that's fact" said
Joe; " but 1 put higher value on Malinda
than all the property"
"And well you should; though the farm
and fxins sint to be despised.
"Oh, I amt one to desp Sc them"
Joe laughed and left the room, and soon
after he left the house, and made his way as
expeditely as the gloom would permit, to-
wards the residence of the widow Martin. A
light was burning in the front room, but the
window curtains were closely drawn, so that
he could not get view into the apartment as
he passed along the yard. He knocked at
the door, and was admitted by the widow in
person, who, after enquiring benevolently, af.
ter his health, ushered him into the parlor.
It was already occupied by two persons
MaGnda and Reuben Sparks, the latter a
young man who recently returned to Spring.
field from California, and was looked upon
with special disfavor by the young farmer.
Joe was welcomed by the young lady, not
so cordially as formerly, and by no means so
cordially as Joe thought his due. He was
greeted by Mr.. Sparks in sortof joking, con.
descending way, that raised the ire inwardiy.
However, the conversation thst followed was
.appsrsntly agreeable 70 all parties, and the
Snening wore eMay, TIL the widow retired,
when NJ. Spsz6 iatiusted that i was per-