Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-03-22

question looked tenderly and appealingly
into her face, and breathlessly awaited
her reply. She colored slightly, and bent
her eyes to the ground.
"You are quite right" she said, in
supposing that you are not indifferent to
me, for regard you very highly"
"Then all my fears have been ground
lessl" uttered Joe, exhutingly.
"But continued the lady, II cannot
very well grant your request regarding"
"Whatl' cried Joe, his countonance
suddenly changing.
al cannot very well marry you!"
"And why can't you? I'd like to know
what's to hinder you marrying Inc, If
you think enough Of me-"
"There is one reason in particular"
"What is it!"
"rm engaged to anothorl'
Joe turned pale.
"Sparks" he cried-"tell me is it
Sparks?"
"Well, and lift is"
81 knew It'll Blast him; knew what
he was after!"
"Idon't know that Mr.. Sparks has act
ed as he should not!' remarked the young
lady warmly,
''He's cheatin' villain" replied Joe
Indignantly.
"You don't know; he is nothing of the
kind"
"It's you that don't know him; but you
will, before long; you've been deceived,
and l amt afraid to say so!'' continued
he snatching up his hat; ''it's the money
he pretends to have got that has lost me
a wife; but when you want to touch it,
Just as like as not you won't be able
He rushed from the house as he utter
ed these words, and hurried homeward.-
He found his mother still up, and was ca
gerly interrogated by her as to the luck
he had met with. He told her all, and
little coincidence was she enabled to offer
him in return.
For two or three days following Joe
Chickweed said very little, but thought
much. One morning he met his mother
with smiling face and sort of triumph
in his look. The old lady was some
what surprised at the sudden change in
her sons manner.
"Why, what on airth's the matter now,
Joe?" said she; "hope you amt goin' to
go crazy"
"Not bya long shot," replied Joe 81
amt quite so big fool as that
Then what ails you?"
go, I've got it all arranged at last
I've got 'em now.'
"Who? What?"
"Why, Melinda and that vagabond
Reuben Sparks-ha ha I'LL surprise
him."
"Well, how are you going to do it ?"
go, it's all right !" said Joe laughing
, ly-"I'll fix the sneaking crittcr !"
"But how-how, Joe? Can't you
, speak out What's got in the boy %
cried the old lady, dying with curiosity
, to know what was his plan.
"Well, now, I'll tell you all about it, -
{ began Joe, assuming more sober tone.
, "Well, l just wish you would"
' "You know the widder has always IA
' vored my keeping company with Me-
| linda %
r "Well ?"
"And do believe she is desp'rate down
\ on that feller, Sparks, coming into heI
e family"
I Eyes"
D "ln that case she wouldn't very will
ingly let her property go into his hands. "
| "But, 'cording to the will of old Mr.
n Martin, the property amt to go out OF
o her hands till she is dead"
o "Just so---but Sparks would have all
n the benefit. And now I'm coming to the
J. point-it's just there I'm going to floor
n Reuben Sparks"
= "Well, do let me hear %
o "The widder Martin herself amt bat
;, looking woman p Joe remarked, in I
n sort of mysterious tone of voice, glanc
e ing up into his mothers face.
Il "No-but what's that got to do will
v the matter ?" replied the old lady impa
: tiently.
n "And she amt very old, NEITHER" con
= tinued he, with the same air.
@ "Why, she can't be morn forty"
$50 | should think; and she has gooc
!, chance of living forty more"
IS "Well, and what of that ?"
:, "Just this" said Joe, leaning over t.
l. reach his mothers ear-"PH marry III
O aUidder!"
o Mrs. Chickweed. expecting, as she was
l. something startling, wasn't prepared fo
IS this. She uttered and exclamation o
10 surprise, started upward from her seat
1T and then sank back and fixed her eye
is with vacant stare upon her sons face
le "Well,' said Joe, 81 hope you don
ne see anything against it ?"
is "No-no !" stammered his mother, re
A. covering somewhat from the shock sh
ce had received "but are you really i
a. earnest, Joe.-will you marry the wild
der 90
,g '"To be sure l will, and that's the Who'll
ad of it. Pm going up to see her this yer
ed day. ~ marry her if she'll have mi
and be revenged on Melinda for cuttin
he me as she has for that blasted Sparks
I'll teach 'em what's what"
ry Joe was as good as his word. II
sought the widow and made his propose
d, She was more astonished than she kne
how to express, but she was more graf
fled than astonished. Fresh and fair {
at she was, considering her years, she ha
or never given over the idea of winning oil
At other husband; but it had never entere
nd her head that she could possibly procu
40 ynnnr anI aot;nn hla pri2a Il