The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-06-16

THE RUNAWAY MATCH.


they are now, there dwelt in the
town Of H., Ia pretty village dis
tant then about five-and-twenty miles
from Market town'') peculiarly
comely and graceful maiden who had
peculiarly cross.grained and ugly,
but wealthy father.
Minnie was Danforth's s only child;
and report said truly she would be
his legatee. The old man was q
sturdy farmer, and was estimated to
be worth fully ten thousand dollars
at that period very handsome
! fortune, to be sure.
The sparkling eyes and winnig
smiles of the whole male population
Of the village were upon her, and
suitors were numerous, but her
father was particular and none sue
ceeded in making headway with him
or her.
In the meantime, Minnie had a
true and loyal lover in secret. Who
would have supposed for one minute
that such n fellow would dare to look
upon beauty and comparative re-
finement? His name was Walker, or,
as he was generally called, "Joe''
Walker; and he was simply q farmer,
employed by old Danforth, who had
entrusted him with the management
Of his place for three years.
But, very excellent farmer, and
n bright good manager was this
plain unassuming, but good looking
Joe Walker. He was young, too
only twcnty-three-and had actually
fallen in love with the beautiful,
pleasant, joyous Minnie Danforth,
his old employers daughter. But
the strangest part OF the occurrence
was that Minnie returned his love
earnestly, and truly and frankly, and
promised to wed him at the favorable
| moment.
Things went on merrily for time,
but old Danforth discovered certain
glances and attentions between them
wtich excited his envy and suspi-
cion. Very soon after Joe learned
the old man. s mind, indirectly, in re-
gard TO his future disposal OF Min
nie's hand. aud he quickly saw that
the case was hopeless one unless
he resorted to stratagem, and SO he
set his wits to work.
By agreement. an apparent coolness
and distance was observed by the
lovers toward each other for five or
six months, aud the father saw, as he
believed, with satisfaction that his
suspicious and fears had all been
premature. Also by agreement be-
tween them, Joe absentsd himself
from the house of evenings, and
night after night for full three months
longer. did Joe disappear as soon
as his work was finished, to return
home only at late bedtime. This
was uusual and old Danforth deter
mined to know the reason of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was
il love with a mans daughter who re-
sided less taan three miles distant,
but after a faithful attachment OF
several months the old gentleman
utterly refused to entertain his appli-
cation for the hand of the young
girl.
This was capital-just what old
Danforth most desired. 1t satisfied
him that he had made a mistake in
regard to his own child, and he
would help Joe to get married, and
thus stop all further suspicious Of
trouble ut home. So he said:
"Well, Joe, is she buxom lass?''
Eyes, yes," said Joe; "that's for
other folks to say. I'm not much of
a Judge, myself %
"And do you like her?''
eyes. sir, yes.
t'But the father objects.
Pooh! Let him do SO. What
need you care? Runaway with herr'
"Elope?'
Eyes. OFF with you at oncei II
the girl will join, all right. Marry
her and bring her here. You shall
have the cottage at the end 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. f"
| "But -
"No 'buts,' Joe. Do as bid you.
Go about it at once, and"
"You will stand by me?"
"Yes--to the last! I know you,
Joe. You're good fellow, and will
make anybody good son or hus,
band"
"The old fellow will be very mad. "
"Who cares, prayl Go on, quick
ly and quietly"
"To-morrow night. then?"
eyes"
"I'll hire Clover's horse.
"No-you don't!'
"No?" fss
ssI say no! Take my horse-the
best young Morgan; he'll take
you off in fine style with the new
ph@ton. !" 's -
Exactly"
"And as soon as you are spliced,
come right back here, and jolly
time we'll have of it at the old
house,"
"Her father will kill me"
ssBah! He's an old fool, whoever
| he is. He don't know your good
| qualities, Joe, as well as do. Don't
be afraid; faint heart, you know.
never won fair woman. .
ssThe old man will be astonished.' .
/ "Neyer mind go on! Wen turn
the laugh on him. I'll take care Of
you and your wife, at any rate. "
"I'll do it.
"You SHALL" said Danforth; and
they parted in the best of spirits.
], An hour after dark on the follow.
ing evening, Joe made his appear