Maysville weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1864-1866, 1864-08-18
JOE cH1cKwEED's coURFsaIP;

before the parior mirror, putting the last
touch to his we'll oiled hair, 'if let this
night pass without finding just how stand
with Melinda Martiu, then I'm fool. The
critters always acted so pesky skittish,
/ there's been no getting around her. / like
! her, and she knows it, and I'm inclined to
thirk she likes me; but she likes more than
ore string to her bow, and I amt sure but
she'd slip m any minute If she could make
better bergaiu. May be I'm doing her in
Justice, and / hope am; but she acts some
times 'tarnally like a coquette, and l don't
( know what to make of her. But tonight
he adde1, fitting an immensely high and
/ immensely wide brimmed hat upon his
head, an settle the matter-Pll cross the
Ruhicon if get my boots full Of water
Melinda haint got bad spec, might do
worse most any where e!se.'
DO tell if it's come that!' exclaimed old
Mrs. Chickweed. who had entered the room
unnoticed by her SOD. in time to hear his
last sentence. well, I've all along had a
rotion tdat you was aiming in that direc-
ton. ..... .... ..... .....
Joe turned red from his eye-winkers to
his ankles, and looked very sheePish, but
said nothing.
There amt nothing to be ashamed of
Joe,' continued the old lady. and you spoke
the gospel truth when you said you IN igbt
do worse elsewhere. Mdlinda'sa nice gall
Well said Joe, gaining some courage
from his mothers manner, I'm glad you
think 80, for Pm bound to make her my
wife, if .-
If what?' asked the old lady.
'Ws,I, it everything is favorable
Don't you fe ,r snything's agin it You
Just do your duty, Joe, aud Aallnda's
yonrn'
No better farm of its size in the whole
country thar wdder Martina said Mrs.
Chick kweek. in very emphatic tone.
Joe laughed and left the room, and m ade
his way as expeditious'y as the gloom would
permit, towards the residence Of the widow
Martin. A light was burning in the front
room, but the window curtains were down,
so that he could not get view into the
apartmout as he passed along the yard He
knocked at the door, aud was admitted by
the widow in person, who, after enquiTing
bepeyolently after his health. ushered him
into the psrlor. 1t was already occupied by
two persnns-M Melinda aud r nben Sparks,
the latter a Young mao who recently return
ed to Springfield from California. and who
was looked upon with especial distavor oy
the young farmer.
Joe was welcomed by the young lady rot
so cordially as formerly, and by no means
cordially as y Ot lubu=5 W LAaS efAo- II y
was greeted By Mr. Sparks in a sort ofjokinS,
condescepdjns way, that raised his ire in
warjly. However, tue conversation that
followed was apparently agreeable TO all
n,rties. and the evening wore away. till the
widrw retired, when Mr. Sparks intimatei
that il was perhaps time for him to be re
turning to the village. Melinda at once as
serted IN at it was early, indeed, and that he
shopld not think OF leaving so soon; where
unon MIR. Sparks was ind uced to remain
While loager, and Mr.. Cnickweed was
secretly enrsged that Melinda should be so
taken up by the company of young sprig.
California became the topic OF conversa-
ton. aud Reuben Sparks shone brilliantly in
his descriptive accounts OF tue country, and
what he had done there.
Then you weru't in the digEings'' inquir
ed Joe in response to something his rival
had uttered.
.By no MEANS replied Sparks, loftily =
Il left the diggings TO those who were used
to It. hadn't taste that way
80 then you stopped 10 town.
Certainly
.Rnsipess. I suppose, first rate out there?'
YES A Young man of talent will soon
ongoge himself 10 honorable employm emit
.Tbep 'spect you must have doue extra
ordinary we'll! said Joe. in a tone he in
tend ed to be sarcastic.
1Obp replied the other, laughing in
meaning way, aud winking an eye at the
vonng lady, who appeared to enjov 1t ac-
for that matter can't COM
nIa;n 7 think improved my chanees-I
rather think did. No, don't complain
.Tben why did't You stay longer? You
weren't gone but a short time; you should
have STAYED year or two more, and made
Yourself independent
perhaps I am Independent already; l say
no, Inns or course | cau'r tell you the ex-
a ct am cunt mad that, think' Is quite
unnecessary
All nerbaps, too, there are attractions in
This mart of the world as alluring as gold.'
ua 1,oked knowingly at Melinda as he
-, ,od oave her another wink, which
- ronng lady seemed to relish, though
49, bnsbed and seemed wonderfully en-
( Lorrossed toI a moment. Joe noticed VII at
\ aaorrrad and didn't at all fancy the course
/ off,i,s seemed TO have taken. He knew tn at
he should feel and appear peculiarly savage
/ ;Tbe remained much longer, and so be hint
I "a tbat il was bout time for him to be 60
-. and what served to discourage him
- ,bap aught else, Melinda seemed TO
~ 1.-The same mind, for she offered no OBJ
/ iec,ion. So be took his hat and departed,
yyyith- irm ness in his step and bitterness IN
his heart.
| q don't like the looks of things at all he
muttered to himself, as be walked on
,hroncb the nsrk; she's altogether too ten
der with that chap. II he has not turned
her head ID en- there's mistake somewhere
dnn.t believs he has brought money
arono,b from California o buy a rope tC
/ .on, himself. He's after The widows farm
low, III bet my hat. Yes, sir, be means tt
catch Meliuda, snd I've been fool enough t'
,,yait IN this time before Gaming to hna