Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-03-22
MILLERSBURG, OHIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH %, 1860

vately the day before the marriage Of Mr.
Sparks with the widows daughter, and it
should be kept secret till that wedding
had taken place. TO this the widow
readily agreed, although it was hard
task for her TO restrain the enjoyment she
experienced, and prevent the secret being
discovered
The evening before the nuptials Of
Sparks and Melinda at length arrived,
and all the preparations for the ceremony
on the ensuing day were completed
When darkness had fairly set in; when
Melinda was so occupied with the com
pany and conversation Of her soon to be
husband as to be completely oblivious to
all else, Mrs. Martin cautiously left the
house, and meeting j oe neor at hand, she
hastened with him to the residence of the
Chickweeds. The minister, who had
been duly admonished TO secresy, was in
attendance; and in less than half an hour
thereafter Joe was married man, and
the no longer widow was on her way back
to her home-parting from Joe with n
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 day to
the satisfaction of all parties, The affair
took place in the morning at the residence
of the bride, and at tine hour OF noon, all
the guests, with the exception of Chick
weed, departed Why he remained so
long, it puzzled the newly married pair
to surmise, as they had not supposed he
would be present at all. Joe took it very
easily, however, and seemed quite unem'
barrassed by the occasional banterings oi
the happy Sparks.
81 s'pose," said Joe, addressing him
self to the newly made husband, as they
were assembled in the parlor together
81 s'pose you'll take up your residence in
the village right away-buy you q nice
house and live fashionably !'
go, no =" replied Sparks - "don't
know that I shall"
What well, now, calc'late yor
don't have any idear Of settling on {
farm? You amt used to that work, yor
know"
Don't know but may" said Sparks
assuming careless air and tone "com
ing on hot weather, you know, and liv
ing in town is bore in summer. Yes
think shall try country life for while
] amt in the best of health, and a farm
life may improve me-"
), "Well," responded Joe, deliberately
"can't say that I'm sorry your going t.
, stay with us. / think myself that j
| would be to your benefit to work on
farm for while; and we'll try to max
| it as comfortable fes yoa s,.we cen y -
Mrs. Sparks looked at him; then the
looked at each other and laughed.
"No doubt" remarked Mr.. Sparks
"you'll make very agreeable neighbor
very agreeable indeed
40, we'll be nearer than neighbors,
good sight-of course we WILL" said Joe
: glancing with look Of intelligence to
wards the former widow.
Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glance
at each other, but this time they didn'
laugh
"What do you mean ?" they asked
simultaneously.
: go, excuse me; 1 forgot that you didn'
know what had transpired. The fact is
the widow, here, and myself, taking a mu
tual liking to each other, were marrie
last night! We should have invited yo
to the wedding, but we knew you were S
busily engaged"
"What married ?" cried Mr.. Sparks
springing to his feet, while look of hor
ror overspread his features. His wife sa
pale as ghost, utterly unable to speak
word.
"Certainly, married." said Joe, coolly
els this so ?" he inquired, turning t
the late widow.
"You may rely upon all he says" sh
replied.
"Then l have been swindled, impose
upon, deceived And you knew of thi
6 also, and led me on !" he continued in
violent tone, addressing his wife. "Yo
worked to net me, while this inferns
= cheat gets all the property y
r "No-it's not so p exclaimed Melir
da, bursting into tears; 81 knew nothin
of it. And thought you married me fc
4 myself, and not for my moncy-you pre-
n tended to have enough of that yourself !!
: Reuben Sparks smiled sickly and
scornful smile.
h ats as ! thought; his moneys s
! deep in the bank that he'll4nevor be ab
to dig it out" remarked Joe.
"You scheming rascal gasped Sparl
looking as if it would be pleasure to ei
him entirely up, body and bones.
d 80, fire away it don't hurt any; an
I've got long lease OF the iarm-'
"You scoundrei 20
n "And tho horses, and steers
y 80 you miserable cheat !"
"And the fixin's generally"
"Fool %
n "And moreover" continued Joe, q
If summing more sober and sterner ton
t and grasping Sparks by the collar as
IS spoke-"among other things lve got
e. word or two of advice foryo You ma
= ried Melinda in the expectation of ste
ping into snug little property, palmil
a yourself off as man of means to a
,e complish your end. You are the re
m schemer, but part of your scheme h
l. failed. Take my advice ard it will
we'll with you; use your wife as you kno
le you should-go to work like man--al
" strive to be an honest one. And, finall