The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-04-18
think so for I'm bound to make her my

z "If what2' asked the OLD lady.
"Well, if everthing's favorable l
?. Don't you fear eany.hing's again it.
You just do your duty, Joe, and Melin~
da's yourn. Remember the farm
q 1T is fne farm no mistskel' said the
young man. earnestly.
IL No better farm Of its size In the whole
country, than the Widder Martins, said
Mrs. Chickweed, in an emphatic tone. 'is.
is No, I think not s2iiiT sasl3t5U 9gt.
y And, then see how 1t is stocked; two of
the best yoke Of. steers in all these parts
besides their two horses, saying nothing
of the critters. Aud, Of course they'll
all 60 with Melinda when the Widder's
dead, aud before. too, for you will go right
on the farm as soon as you marry. aud
take charge of everything 15sd seg eh =
g IT'S q good opening that'sa fact said
Joe; but I put q higher value on Melin-
da than all the property iago1 2l- go.
ct And well you should; though the farm
and fxings ain's-to be despised.,
a No. amt one to despise them.'ss z
! She laughed and leftth room, and joe
soon after left the house. aud made his
wayIa a. expediaously as the gloom would
permit. towards, the residence of the wild.
ow Martin. "A light was burning in the
front room, but the window curtains were
closely drawn, 80 that be could not get Q
view into The apartment as he passed
along the yard, He knocked at the door,
andcwas admitted BY the widow in person
who after inquiring beneyolently after his
health, nsheredE him, into the parlor. It
was already occupied by two persons
Melinda and. Reuben Sparks, the latter q
young man who recently returned to
Springfield from California. aad who was
hooked upon with special disfavor by the
young farmer. .so.-
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 sort
Of joking, condescending way, that raised
the ire inwardly. Howeve-; the converse
tion that followed was apparently agreea.
BILE to all parties, and the evening wore
away till the widow retired, when Mr..
Sparks intimated thatit was perhaps time
for him to be returning, as it was quite q
little walk to the village. Melinda q,
once asserted that it was very early in
deed, and he should not think of leaving
so soon; ;whereupon Mr.. Sparks, was in,
duced to remain q while longer. and Mr.
Chickweed was secretly enraged that Me-
linda should be so taken up with the com
pany Of young sprig. 5
California became the topic of conver
sation, and Reuben Sparks shone brilliant
lily il. his descriptive accounts Of the coun
Try, and what be had done there.
Then You gern't in the aigglns?,i in
quired Joe, in response. to something hi
rival had uttered! @ s,.''.is,4 5E isffft,t'5
by no MEANS replied Sparks. ioftily
Il left digging to those that were used t
lit. hadn q taste that way ;.
j o. then you stopped in town?'
| .Certainly.'sssra FRI srsee5 eds -,
j Business, spose. 6rst.rate therer
1 Yes A. .yourg man of talent wi
!, soon engage himself in profitable employ
ment.' -HoH shs ageft rs.fl1g8 seas [,
| Then ! 'spect you must have done el
traordinary well!' said Joe. in a tone b
intended should be sarcastic. .,,,, s.,4 g.
n ,Oh' replied the other, lsughing in
meaning way. and winkiug an eye at th
young lady who appeared to take au
enjoy it accordingly-.as for that matter
can't complain. think improved m
: chances, rather think I did. No.
don't complain. by no means -.
J Then why didn't you stay longera-
! Yon weren't gone but . short time; 20
| should have stayed year or two NOR
: and made yourself independent 80.
Perhaps / am Independent already;
. say perhaps. OF course I can't tell yc
the exact amount l nade-that, I thin
} is quite unnecessary
. %, tquite.' III ~
. And, perhaps, too there were attra
t tions in this part Of the world ~ allurir
as gold.' = '.Ass'
i He looked knowingly at Melinda
t he spoke and gave her another win
u WuiCu tuob yOuuB iouy eSO-nCN W tOsto
Q though she blushed and appeared iwo
9 derfully embarrassed for . moment j
Q noticed what occurred, ard didn't at I,
}. fancy the course affairs seemed to be ta
. ing. he knew that he should feel al
:. appear peculiarly savage. il he remain
I much longer, and 80 he limited that it v
about time for him to be going; and VIII
l. served to enrage him more than aug
d else, Melinda seemed to be of the Sal
% mind, for she offered 70 objection. So
II took his hat and departed, with frmns
IN in his step and bitterness in his heart.
Il don't like the looks Of things at
% he muttered to himself, as he walked
[e through the dark; she's altogether I
8, tender with that chap to be agreeable
a me. If he has, not turned her head, th
t, there's a mistake somewhere. / do
l. believe be has brought money enoughfrt
California to buy . rope to hang hi
4, He's after the widder's farm now, to ma
J. it up. I'll bet my hat. Yes. sir, be mea
,e to catch Melinda, and I'ye been f
- lono,,nh a ,-e;x xill ty,is t,ua hafnpa "a