The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-04-18
her. I'll try it, I VOW I will. I'll go
over again TO- morrow, and have the thing

settled ZEE. 2t 5a f9Te - A37<
And having come to this conclusion. he
hurried forward and soon after was dream
ing Of Melinda Martin, the widow. him.
self, and an Infinite number Of Reuben
Sparkses, who were endeavoring to chase
him up q steep hill, and beating his brains
out with bars Of California gold. Gait1
Mrs. Chickweed was most anxious next
to learn from her son the result
of his mission to the Widows but Joe was
silent and .pensive avoiding his mothers
eye, and keeping away from the house as
much as possible. Late in the evening
be carefully dressed himself in his best
suit. and with slook Of determination
stamped on: his features, he once more set
cut to visit the 6ckle Melinda. agH q ss.s.
/ He found her at home and alone. 81 b
q Hope you spent an agreeable evening
yesterday remarked Joe, after he had
passed the usual compliments. AID seated
himself near the young lady. .yaa5I.isa
%, yes, I did, 1 assure you.' Was the
reply. tB5fss aa} Ii slAe5r slt
'Mr. Sparks. i should say. is q very
entertaining young man, d,iu .Fo59H.tIal
.a Joe eIdidn't think anything Of the kind,
but quite the contrary. I'D bas ,6sa9tdz
7 He is indeed, responded Melinda.
. Joe looked anything but pleased at this
encomium on his rival, and sat for some
moments in utter silence. At length he
turned to the young lady, and spoke: q
.. Icame here last evening" he said, with
the intention of speaking to you on one
particular subject. but found yeu SO en-
gagged that I determined to call again to
night, and so-so-'. b9as5ae o5 agaa I
Here you are,' said Melinda, smiling
at his embarrassment n4ed e,E5 IS ssi +.
Yes, here I am. And now, that I am
here I'll tell you what I have come for.
You know love you. I've told you as
much more'n once, and I've fattered my
self that you weren't Indifferent to me.
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
me?, F57 4sf.f 81 4a4 sr,,4 .sgssf AIT
Joe having arrived at this important
question, looked tenderly and appealingly
into her face. and breathlessly awaited hel
reply. She colored slightly, and bent bel
eyes to the ground. Eg4.6,,,
You are quite right, she said; in sup
posing that ,you are not indifferent to mt
for regard you very highly ,u s,
Then all my fears have been ground
lessl' uttered Joe, exultingly, 7..9
But continued the lady, i cannot very
we'll grant your request regarding ..sr
.Whatp cried Joe, his countenance sud
denly changing. rs4.7|l sqag zss.te,.
| i cannot very wely marry youl' -
And why can't you? I'd like to know
what's to hinder you marrying me, ifyol
think enough of me- ad,s,.llr &
There is one rsson in particular :,
What is itl' l;r ~ .,es- -,
I'm engaged to anotherl' b.e..feg
Joe turned pale. gs3 .f....i -, ..,s
Sparks be cried-tellme is it Sparksl
well, and if it is-7--' 50. .l..,; ,-..s :.
Il knew it! Blast him; I knew what b
j was afterl'
i i don't know that Mr.. Sparks ha
! acted as he should not!' remarked th
i young lady warmly. oi S3 Il
i He's cheatin' villain,' replied 10
Indignantly. fe5sg9t bei59i. {
j You don't know biz; he is nothing Z
the kindi' i55Ie oj tssa q Eyh 3cI
\ .h'soyou that don't know him; but 20
will before long, you've been deceived
:-,& A. eNl1 onntSnnn
he suatching up his hat; it's the none
be pretends to have got that has lost N
wife; but when you want to touch ]
Just as like as not you won't be able.'
He rushed from the house as he uttere
these words, and hurried homeward. 3
found his mother still up. and was eager
!, interrogated by her as to the luck he ha
met with. q He told her ell and little col
dolence was she enabled to offer him in r
turn. y 1oL 4laG ,tffeomt 9915 9Ht Woi
:. For two or three days following j.
: Chickwee6 said very little, but thong
much. One morning be met his moth
s with smiling face and sort Of trium,
|, in his look. The old lady was. somewh
!, surprised at the sudden change in b
! sons manner. sss.sss.ss 2stf f,z ss.,
. why, what on airth's the matter nc
Il Joe!' said she; hope you ain't goin'
: go crazy 'ls3soy o2uask) ao b574
d Not by . long shot, replied Joe.
d amt quite 50 big q fool as that -7r
81 Then what ails your go
I'll %, I've got it ell arranged st last
It I've got 'em now. 55l b. -
10 .Whoi Whstl' -.
% why, Melinda aud vagabond Reub
,s Sparks-hal hal-lll surprise him.
We'll. how are you going to do it!'
Il %, it's all rightl' said Joe laughin
n ly-I1l fix the sneaking critterp
% But how-how, Joe? Can't you spe
% outi Whats got in the -boy?' cried
N old lady, dying with curiosity to kn
It what was his plan. ~
m We'll, now. I'll tell you all about it.
d. gan Joe, assuming more sober tone.
70 We'll, I just wish you would.
ia you know the widder has always
ol yored my keeping company with Mel