The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-04-04

"ln that case she wouldn't very willingly lie
her property go into his hands"
"But, cording to the will oil old Mr.. Martin
the property amt to go out of hands till she
is dead"
"Just so-but Sparks would have all the
benefit. And now Pm coming to the point-its
just there Pm going to floor Reuben Sparks
"Well, do let me hear!"
"The widder Martin herself amt a bad look
ing woman!" Joe remarked, in sort of q my
sterious tone of voice, glancing up into his
mothers face.
"No-but what's that got to do with the mat
tea?" replied the old lady impatiently.
"And she amt very old, neither" continued
he, with the same air.
"Why she can't be morn forty"
$50 should think; and she has good chance
Of living forty more.
"Well and what of that?"
"Just this" said Joe, leaning over to reach
his mothers ear--"FH marry the aoidler"
Mrs. Chickweed, expecting, as she was, some
thing startling, wasn't prepared for this. She
uttered an exclamation OF surprise, started up,
ward from her seat and then sank back and
fixed her eyes with vacant stare upon her
sons face.
"WelI, said Joe, al hope you don't see any
thing against it?"
"No, no!' stammered his mother, recovering
- r.. 1t L
"but are you really in earnest, Joe-will you
marry the widder!'
''To be sure I will, and that's the whole Of
it. "Pm going up to see her this very day.
I'll marry her if she'll have me, and be raven-
gcd on Melinda for cutting me as she did for
that blasted Sparks. I'll teach 'em what's
what"
Joe was us good as his word. He sought the
widow and made his proposal. She was more
astonished than she knew how to express but
she was more gratifisi than astonished Fresh
had never given over the idea OF winning anoth
er husband but it had never entered her head
that she could possibly procure so young and
prize as Joe Chickweed
Joe nude it special proviso in his proposal,
that they should be married privately the day
before the mlrriage Of Mr.. Sparks with the
daughter, AMI it should be kept Sc
cret till th,t We ling hal taken place. To this
the widow readily agreed, although it was hard
task for her to restrain the enjoyment she ex-
perienced, AMI prevent the secret being discov-
cred.
The evening before the nuptuals Of Sparks
and Melinda at length arrived, and all prepara-
tions for the ceremony on the ensuing day were
When darkness had fairly set in,
when Melinda was so occupied with the COM
pany and conversation Of her soon to be hus-
band as to be completely obivous to all else,
Mrs. Martin cautiously left the house, and
meeting Joe near at hand, she hastened with
him to the residence of the Chickweeds. The
minister who had been duly admonished to Sc
,resy, was in attendance, and in less than half
an hour thereafter, Joe was a married man, and
the no longer widow was on her way back to
her home-parting from Joe with single, but
enormous kiss, with which he was content to
satisfy himself, considering what was to follow
from so doing on the morrow.
The wedding passed off the next dsy to the
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 departed. Why he re
ma ined so long, it puzzled the newly married
pair to surmse, as they had not supposed he
would be present at all. Joe took it very ca
sily however, and seemed quite unembarrass-
ed by the occasional banterings of the happy
Sparks.
~ s'pose," said Joe, addressing himself to
the newly made husband, as they were assem-
bled in the parlor together-"I s'pose you'll
take up your residence in the village right a
you nice house and live fashiona-
Oly!"
20, no." replied Sparks-"don't know that
shall"
"What! we'll, now, calc'late you don't have
my idea of settling on farm? You amt used
% that kind of work. you know
''Dont know but I may" said Sparks, assu-
ming a careless air and tone; looming on hot
weather, you know, and living in town is bore
n summer. Yes, think l shall try country
ife for while; amt in the best Of health.
md farm life may improve me-"
"Well," responded Joe, deliberately, cant
ay that Pm sorry your going to stay with us.
think myself that it would be to your benefit
O work on farm for while; and we'll try to
make it as comfortable for you as we oan!"
Mrs. Sparks looked at him; then they looked
t each other and laughed.
"No doubt" remarked Mr.. Sparks "you'll
make very agreeable neighbor, very agreeable
indeed"
20, we'll be nearer than neighbors, good
ight-of course we WILL" said Joe, glancng
With look of intelligence towards the former
widow.
Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glanced at each
ther but this time they didn't laugh. |
"What do you mean?' they asked smulta-
leously. ...
40. excuse me; forgot that you didn't know
vhat had transpired. The fact is, the widow
ere and myself, taking mutual liking to each
ther, were married last night We should have
lvited you to the wedding, but we knew you
7ere so busily engaged"
"What! married" cried Mr.. Sparks, spring.