Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-01-04
THE RUNAWAY MATCH.

A great many years since, when bright eyed
and faie,haired lasseswefe not go plenty asthey
are now, there dWelt in the town Of P, o
pretty village distant some twenty miles from
the market town, o pecnliar, ugly, cPoss grained
but wealthy farmer. t
Minnie was Danforth's only child, and report
said truly that ehe would be his sole legstee.
The old man was sturdy farmer, and esll-
mated 10 be worth full ten thousand; at that
period very handsome fortune, to be sure.
The sparkling eyes and winning manner OF
Minnie Dantorth had stirred up the finer feel.
ings Of the whole male portion of the village,
| and her sultors were numerous, bus her father
was peculiar, and none succeeded In making
headway with him or his daughter.
In the meantime Minnie had true and loyal
lover In secret. Who would have supposed fol
one moment that such fellow dared to look on
beauty and comparative refinement
His name was Walker, or, as be was genoT,
ally called, Joe Walker, and was simply a
farmer employed by old DanfoEtb, who had en-.
trusted Joe with the management of the place
two or three years.
Bat very good farmer and an exeellen,
manager was this same Joe Walker. He was
young too, only twenty-three, and he dared to
fall In love with the besutiful, pleasant, Joyous
Minnie Danforth. But the strangest part OF
the occurrence was that Minnie returned bis
love earnestly, truly and frankly, and promised
to wed him at fsyorable time.
Things went on merry for time, but old Dan.
forth discovered certain giances and attentt ond
between them which excited his envy and sus-
picions. Very soon afterward Joe learned the
old mans mind In regard to bis future disposal
of Minnie's hands he quickly cav his case was
Ia hopeless one unless he resorted TO stratag gem,
t,a aat Ia uvik al naao IN D..
ment, an apparently dettled dislike and coldness
was observed by the lovers toward each Other
for I've or six months, and the father saw, as be
believed with, satisfaction, that bis previous
fears had been premature. Then by agree
ment also between them, Joe Abseuted himsel
from home at evening, and night after night
f0r full thTee uaenths leuy, diu Joe disappear VI
soon as his work was finished, TO return hom,
only at late bed time. This was unusual
and old Danforth determined to know the oaus,
of 70. E 9'2a3 ;1tty .o4 Z. lgl
Joe frankly confessed that he was in love with
mans daughter, who resided less than three
miles distant, but after faithful attachment
between them for several nonths the old man
had utterly refused bic application for the youoe
girls hand. y
This satisfied him that he had made mis-
take In regard to his own daughter, Minnie
and he would help Joe to get married, and thu!
stop all further trouble or suspicion % home.
''Do you like herT sf 4s +. Gs9s
"Yes, sir--yes." A "-ts' sa
"Then marry her." y.!F
''But can't-her father objects.'' asl
"Poh let him do 10 what need you care
Run away with her." "a 1cta 20 1l
"Elope |"
"Yes-o6 With you at once. II the gal will
II join, all right marry her. bring her heFe--you
may have the cottage at the foot of the lane,
I'll furnish 10 for you your wages shall be In.
creased, and the old man may like II or not"
"But--" F.
"But no butts, Joe. Do as bid you 40
about u ct once, snd---" na a59
you'll stand by me Z" gl.
eyes, to the last. ] know, Joe, you're q
good fellow, and good workman, and will
make anybody . good son or good husband. J"
"1'ne C.s fellow will be 90 plaguey mad,
though" -s
"Who cares . 60 now, quickly"
"T3.morrow night, thin" 5N
eyes, se lhe4. rla IL.
"I,ll hire Clover's horse"
'Nc, you shan't" -g s@ea sas. IS
/ "No2' Il,
"Isay no. Take my hoTse--ihs beat one
young Molgsn--hs'll take you in iine style ID
the new phWton."