The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-09-17
A Capital Runaway Match.

there dwelt in the town of P, dis
iant some twenty miles from market
town, a peculiarly ugly and cross grained,
but wealthy old father.
Minnie was Danforth's only child, and
report said truly she would be his only
legatee The old man was sturdy far
mer, and was estimated to be worth full
ten Thousand dollars, at that period a
very handsome fortune indeed.
The sparkling eyes and winning man
pers of Minnie Danforth, had stirred up
the fine feelings of the whole mae portion
of the village, and suitors were numerous,
but her father was particular and none
succeeded in making headWay with either
him or her.
IL the meantime Minnie had true
and loval lover in secret Who would
have supposed for moment, that such a
fellow would have dared to look on beauty
aud comparative refinement.
His name was Walker, but he was gen
orally called "Joe Walker, and he was
simply farmer employed by old Dan
forth, who had entrusted Joe with the
management Of his large place two or
three years.
But very excellent farmer and right
good manager was this plain, unassuming,
but good looking Joe Walker. He was
young, too, only twenty-three and he
actually fell in love with the beautiful,
pleasant and joyous Mime Danforth, his
employers only daughter. But the
htraneest part of the occurrence was that
Minnie returned his love earnestly, truly
and frankly, and promised to wed him at
favorable moment
Things went on merrily for a time, but
old DanfOrth discovered certain glances
and attention between them which ex-
cited his early suspicious.
Very soon afterwards Joe learned the
old mans mind, indirectly, with regard
TO the disposal of Minnie's hand, and he
quickly saw that his case was a hopeless
one, unless he resorted to stratagem, and
90 he put his wits to work at once.
BY agreement, an apparently settled
coldness and distance was observed by the
lovers towards each other, and which led
him to believe his suspicious had been
groundless.
Then by agreement also between them,
Joe abscnted himself from the house at
evening, and night after night as his
work was done, did he disappear to return
home at late bed time.
Joe frankly confessed that he was in
love wish mans daughter, who resides
less than Eve miles distant, but after a
faithful attachment between them for
several months, the old man had utterly
refused to entertsin his application for
the young girls hand.
This was capital, just what the man
desired This satisfied him that he had
made mistake in regard to his own
child and he would have Joe get mar
red aud stop all trouble and suspicion at
once. SO he said:
'Wcll, Joe, is she bucksom lass ?"
ayes, yes" said Joe, 'Im not much
of judge myself"
"And you like her ?"
"Yes."
linen marry her.
"Elope?"
"Yes, certainly; off with you at once.
If the gal will join, all right. You shall
have the little cottage at the foot Of the
lane; | viii fix it up for you. Your
wages shall be raised, and the old man
may like it or not"
"But--'
"No butts, Joe, but do as I bid you
Go about it at once, end"
"You will stand by me?"
"les, TO the very last. | know you,
Joe; you are good workman, and will
make a good son or husband"
1.-The old fellow would be so mad,
though"
"Who cares? Goquickly butquietly."
"To-morrow night, then ?'
"Yes."
81 will hire Culvers horse"
81 cay DO. Take my horse, the very
best one, young Morgan. He will take
you off in style in the pbeton."
Exactly"
"And as soon as you are spllced, come
right back here, and jolly time we will
have in the old house"
"Iler father will kill me-"
"Hah, he's an old fool, whoever he is.
lie don't know your good qualities, Joe,
as well as | do. DO not be afraid faint
heart, you know, never won fair lady,"
"The old man will be astonished."
"Never mind we will turn the laugh
on him. | will take care of your wife at
any rate"
"You shall" said joe, and they parted
in the best Of spirits.
An hour after dark on the following
evening, Joe made his appearance
] l. Z :.