The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-08-03
THE RUNAWAY MATCH.

THE RUNAWAY MATCH.
A great many years since, when bright-eyed
and fair-haired lasses were not so plenty in
New York as they are now, there dwelt in the
town of #, Ia pretty village, distant
then about five and twenty miles from market
town") peculiarly comely and graceful maid
en- who had peculiarly cross-grained and ugly,
but wealthy father.
Minnie was Dmforth's only child; and re-
port said truly she would be his legatee The
old man was sturdy farmer, and was estimated
to be worth fully ten thousand dollars-at that
period a very handsome fortune, to be sure.
The sparkling eyes and winning smiles OF
Minnie Danforth had stirred up the finer feel
ings of the whole male population OF the vii
lage, and suitors were numerous, but her fatner
was particular, and none succeeded IN making
headway with him or her
In the meantime, Minnie had true and
loyal lover in secret Who would nave sup,
posed for one minute that such fellow would
dare to look upon beauty and comparative re-
fnement? His name was Walker, or, as he
was generally called, "Joe" Walker; and he
was simply farmer, employed by old Danforth,
who had entrusted him with the management
of his place for two or three years.
But an excellent farmer, and bright, good
manager, was this plain, unassuming, but good
looking Joe Walker: He was younng. .too-only
twenty.three- had actually fallen in love
with the beautiful, pleasant, joyous Minnie
Dantorth, his old employers daughter. But the
strangest part of the occurrence was that Min
ME returned his love earnestly, and truly and
frankly, and promised to wed him at the favor
able moment.
Things went on merrily for time, but old
Danforth discovered certain glances and atten-
tions between them, which excited his envy
and suspicion. Very soon after, Joe learned
the old mans mind, indirectly, in regard to his
future disposal of Minnie's hand, and he quick
" saw that the case was hopeless one unless
he resorted to strategem, and so ne set his wits
to work. -.
By agreement, an apparent coolness and dis
tance was observed by the lovers toward each
other for five or six months, and the father saw,
as he believed, with satisfaction that his suspi-
cions and fears had all been premature. Also
by agreement between them, Joe absented him
self from the house on evenings; and night
after night, for full three months longer, did
Toe disappear as soon as his work was finished,
to return home only at late bedtime. This was
unusual. and old Danforth determined to know
the reason of it.
Toe frankly confessed that he was in love
with a mans daughter who resided less than
three miles distant, but after faithful attach
ment of several months the old gentleman ut-r
terly refused to entertain his application for
the hand of the young girl.
This was capital-just what old Danfortn
most desired. 1t satisfied him that ne had
made q mistake in regard to his own child, and
he would help Joe to get married, and thus
stop all further suspicious of trouble at home.
So he said: .,
sWell. Joe, is she q buxom lass ?"
eyes, YES" said Joe, "that's for others to say.
I'm not much of judge, myself"
"And do you like herr"
eyes, sir, yes"
''Then marry her"
ssBut the father objects"
sPooh / Let him do so. What need you
carer Bun away with her."
4Yes. se' OFF with you as oncel If 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 Wills"
"Butn--
stNo 'buts,' Joe. Do as I bid you. Go about
It at once, and"-
tfYou will stand by me?"
"Yes-to the last | know you, Joe. You're
q good fellow, and will make anybody good
son or husband"
"Who cares, pray? Go on, quickly and quiet
Tomorrow night, then?"
dyes"
1Tll hire Clover's horse"
'tNo you don't"
"No?"
81 say no! Take my horse-the best one
young Morgan he'll take you off in fine style
with the new pheton."
Exactly"
"And as soon as you are spliced, come right
back here, and q jolly time we'll have OF 1t at
the old house."
"Her father will kill me-"
"Bah! He's an old fool, whoever he is. He
don't know your good qualities, Joe, as well as
I dc. Don't be afraid; faint heart you know,
never Won fair woman"
"The old man will be astonished."
"Never mind-go on! Well turn the laugh
on him. I'll take care of you and your wife,
at any rate"
t'Pll do it."
"You SHALL" said Danforth and they parted
in the best of spirits.
An hour after dark on the following evening"
Joe made his appearance, decked in new
black cloth suit, and really looked comcly.-
The old man hustled out to the barn with him,
helped to harness young Morgan to the new
pheton, and, leading the spunky animal to the
road, away went Joe Walker in search of his
bride. A few rods distant from the house he
found her as per previous arrangement, and re-
pairing to the next village, the p;arso,n very
quickly made them one in holy wedIock Joe
took his bride and dashed back to the town of
halted at old Id panfoTfhs Dam tb one" mouse ans Sh0
ais it done? Bring her in, bring her in"
continued the old fellow, in high glee; "never
mind compliments-no matter about the dark
eptry-here, Joe, to the right-in the best par
lo,-we'll have time now, sure!" and the
farmer rushed away for lights returning imme-
diately.
eyes, yes!"