National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-03-15
The Runaway Match.
BY FRED HUNTER.

y
town of p, a pretty village, dis
tant, then, some five and twenty
miles from from "Market town"
peculiarly colnely and graceful maid
en-, who had a peculiarly ugly and
cross grained but a wealthy old
father.
Minnie was Danforth's only child;
and reports said truly that she would
be his sole legatee. The old man
was a sturdy farmer, and was esti-
mated to be worth full ten thousand
dollars-at that period very hand
some fortune, to be sure.
The sparkling eyes and winning
manners of Minnie Danforth had
stirred up the finer feelings Of the
whole male portion of the village,
and her Smtors were numerous :;
but her father was particular, and
none succeeded in making head way
with him or her.
In the meantime, Minnie had 1t
true and loyal lover in secret, Who
would have supposed for one mo-
mcnt that such fellow would dare
to look upon beauty and compara-
tive refinement Ills name was
Walker. or. as he was generally call
ed, Joc"-,Joe Walker: and he
was simply a farmer. cmploycd'hy
old DantoIth. who had entrusted
Joe with the management of bis
place for two or three years.
But a very excellent farmer, and
a right good manager, was this
plain, una>suning but good looking
Joe Walker. lie was young, too.
only twenty three and he actually
fell in love with the beautiful, pleas
ant. Joyous Minnie Dautorth, his Old
employers daughter. i ut t Ii G
straHgest part OF the occurrence was.
that Minnie returned his love earn
estly, truly, II Il frankly and
promised to wed him at the earliest
favorable moment.
Things went on mcrrily for a time,
but old DantOrth di scONercd certain
giances and attentions bet Wcen
them, which excited his envy and
suspicious. Very soon afterwards,
Joe learned the old mans mind, in
directly, in regard to his future dis
posaI of Minnie's hand, and he
quickly saw that his case was Il
hopeless one unless he rosatted to
stratagem-and SO he set his wits at
once to work.
By agreement, an apparently set
tied ColdneSS and distance was OBJ
served by the lovers towards each
other for five or six months and
the father saw (aS he bclieVed) with
satisfaction. that his previous Sus-
piciOus and fears had been all pre-
Then, by agreement also
bctWcen the :Ioc absented himself
from the house at evening; and
night after night for three full
months longer, did Joe disappear as
soon as his work was finished. to re
turn only at late bed time. This
was unusual. and old Danforth de
tcrmincd to know the cause of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was
in love with mans daughter who
resided less than three miles dis
tant; but, after a faithful attach.
ment between them for several
months, the old man had utterly re
fused to entertain his application for
the young girls hand.
This was capital Just what old
Dantorth most desired. This salts.
fled him that be had made a mistake
III regard to his own daughter ; and
he would help Joe to get married
and thus stop all further suspicious
or trouble at home; SO he said
"Wcll, Joe is she a buXom lass ,
"Nes-yes," said Joe "ThaD is.
other folks say SO. I'm not much Of
Il Judge myself
"And YOU like her ~
eyes, Sir--yeS.'
"Then marry her" said old Dan
forth.
But lcan't-thc father Objects
"pooh - continued Dantorth, "lct
him do SO ; what need you care
Run away with her.
"Elope -
"YcS, OF with You nj once. If
the gal will join-all right. Marry
hcr-bring her here lyon shall have
the little cottage at the foot of the
lane ; I'll furnish it for You your
wages shall be increased and the
old man may like it or not, as he
will"
"But--
"But me no butts, Joe. DO as |
bid you go about il at once; and"
you will stand 10y me -
"Ncs to the last. | know you,
Jocr You're a good fellow, II good
workman . and will make anybody
Il good son, or husband
"The old fellow will be so mad,
though
"Who cares, say? Go on quick
ly, but quietly
"Tomorrow night, thon,' said
Joe.
"Ycs," said Dantorth,
"fll hire Colyer's horsc--'
"No YOU shan't."
"Nog"
IL say so. Take my horse--the
best one, young Morgan he'll take
YOU off in fine style, in the new
phTton"
"Exactly.p
"And rs soon as you're spliccd,
come right back here, and u Jolly
time we'll have of 1t ~ the old