The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-04-18
wooDsFIElD COUNTY. OHIO Is, 1860.

Yes .-"a7 as
30 In that case she wouldn't very willing
ly let her property 60 into his hands,
b But 'eording to the will of old Mr..
Martin, the property ain't to go out of
hands till she is dead a
Just so--but Sparks would have all
the benefit. And now I'm coming to the
ipoint-it's jus. there I'm going to floor
Reuben Sparks a4
We'll. do let me hearl'
The widder Martin herself ain't bad
looking womaul Joe remarked, in sort
of . mysterious tone of voice. glancing
up ito his mothers face. :.
.No-but what's that got to do with
the matter?' replied the old lady inpa-
tisnsly. sT 50 a
And she amt very old neither;' cortin-
ned be, with the same air. -.
why she can't be morn forty g..
so should think; and she has good
chance Of living forty more. 4
We'll, and what of that!'
Just this said Joe, leaning over to
reach his mothers ear-'Pu marry the
soido,o!' c-r,se,-
Mrs. Chickweed, expecting. as she was.
something startling, wasn't prepared for
this. She uttered an exclamation of sur,
prise. started upward from her seat, and
then sank back and 6xed her eyes with
vacant stare upon her sons face . e
Well, said Joe, 1 hope you don't see
anything against it2' ea s.a .a4ze ~
| Nc, mol, stammered his mother, re-
covering somewhat from the shock she had
received: :but are you really in earnest,
Joe-will5 you marry the widder?'
!, To be sure will, and that's the whole
of it, I'm going up to see her this very
day. I'll marry her if she'llhave me, and
be revenged on Melinda for cutting me as
she did for that blasted Sparks. I'll
teach 'em what's what 4i- a@ -. ION
Joe was as good as his word. he
sought the widow aud made his proposal.
She was more astonishe6 than she knew
how to express, but she was more g:ati'
fed than astonished. Fresh and fair as
she was. considering her years. she had
never given over the idea of winning an
other husband; but it had never entered
her head that she could possibly procure
so young and estimable . prize as Joe
Chickweed. q; E5ia4z
3 Joe made it special proviso in biz
proposal, that they should be married pri
vately the day before the marriage of Mr.
Sparks with the widows daughter, an6
it should be kept secret till that wedding
had taken place. To this the widow
readily agreed although it was hard tasl
70. her to restrain the enjoyment she ex
perienced, and prevent the secret beisl
discovered.
! The evening before the nuptuals o
j Sparks and Melinda at length arrived
and an preparations for the ceremony Of
the ensuing day were completed. Whe'
darkness had fairly set in, when Melind
was so occupied with the company AM
conversation Of her soon to be husban'
as to be completely oblivious to all else
y Mrs. Martin cautiously left the house
and meeting Joe near at hand. she hasten
e ed with him to the residence of the Chick
weeds. The minister who had been dull
S admonished to secresy, was in attendance
e and in less than half an hour thereafter
Joe was married man, and the no long
e er widow was on her way back to hs
home-parting from Joe with singh
# but enormous kiss, with which he was COZ
tent to satisfy himself, considering whs
q was to follow from SO doing on the MOI
!, row E.- j.
d The wedding passed off the next dc
y to the satisfaction Of all parties. tt
e affair took place in the morning at Il
t, residence Of the bride, and at the hour
noon, all the guests with the exception
d Chickweed departed. Why he RENAME
e SO long. it puzzled the newly married pa
y to surmise, as they bad not supposed 1
d would be present at all. Joe took it vel
L. easily, however, and seemed quite uner
E. barrassed by the occasional banterings
Il the happy Sparks. $50 5-
- i s'pose,' said Joe, addressing hiuse
At to the newly made husband. as they We
sr assembled in the parlor together-I s'po
ID you'll take up your residence in the vi
1t lage right away-buy you nice hon
er aud live fashionablyp
@, noi' replied Sparks-'den't knt
W that shall
to What well, now. I calculate you do
have any idea of settling on farm? Y
4 aint used to that kind Of work, >
know es5s'fsA s'sf 2ssfs o.te bed
Don't know but may said Sparl
- assuming . careless air and tone, 'comi
On hot weather, you know, and living
town is q bore in sammer. Yes, think
en- shall try country life for . while; oil
in the best Of health, and farm life M
improve me- aaaG
e swell,' responded Joe, deliberate
y cant soy that I'm sorry your going
ak stay with us. think myself shat
he would be to your benefit to work OF
,w farm for while; and we'll try to make
as comfortable for you a. we canl'
"a. Mra. Sparks looked at him; then th