The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-20
rae RUNAWAY MATCa.

"mArket iowa Q peculiarly comely and
graceful maiden who had b peculiarly cross
grained and ugly, bat wealthy father.
Minnie was DAutorths only child; and
report said truly she would be his legAtee.
The old man was q sturdy farmer, and was
estimated to he worth fully ten thousand
dollars-at that period very handsome I
fortune, 10 be sure
The sparkling eyes and winning smiles Of
Minnie DAnfoFth had stirred up the finer
feelings of the whole male population of the
village, and suffers were numerous, but her
father was particular, and none succeeded
In making hesdway with him or her.
In the meantime, Minnie had 9 true and
loyal lover in secret. Who would have sup
posed for one minute that such q fellow
would dare to look upon beauty and COM
pArRtive refinement? Els name was Walk
er, or, as he Was generally called, "Joe"
Walker; and he was simply farmer, en-
ployed by old DAnforth, who had entrusted |
HIM with the management of his place for |
two or three years.
But, 9 very excellent farmer, and bright |
good manager was this plain, unassuming,
bat good looking Joe Walker. He was
young, too-oDly twenty three-and had
actually fallen IN love with the beautiful,
pleasant, joyous Minnie DAnforth, his old
employers daughter. But the strAnRest
part of the occurrence was that Minnie re-
turned his love eArnertly, and truly and
frankly, and promised to wed him at the
favorable moment.
Things went on merrily for time, but
old DAntorth discovered certain chances and
attentions between them, which excited his
envy aud suspicion. Very soon after Joe
learned the old mans mind, indirectly, IN
regard to his future disposal of MInnie's
hand, and he quickly saw that the case was
n hopeless one unless be resorted to STRATA
gem, and 80 be set his wits to work.
By agreement, an apparent GOODNESS and
distance was observed by the lovers toward
each other for five or six months, and the
father saw, as ne believed, with satisfaction
that his suspicious and fears had all been
premature. Also BY agreement between
them, Joe Absented himself from the house
on evenings aud 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 I'M
usual and old Dsnforth determined to know
the reason of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he WAS in love
with mans daughter who resided less than
three miles distant, bat after faithful sttach
ment of several months The old gentleman
utterly refused to entertain his application
for the hand of the young girl.
This was capital-just what old Danforth
most desired. II satisfied him that he had
made mistake in regard TO his own child,
and he would help Joe get married, and thus
stop all further suspicious of bic at home.
So he said
swell, Joe, is she buxom lassY,
"Yes, yes said Joe that's for other
folks to say. I'm not much of a Judge, my
And do you like her?
eyes, sir, yes
Then marry her."
"But the farher objects "
Pooh Let him DO so. What need YOU
care? Run away with her Z"
"Elope?"
"Yes. OFwith YOU at once If the girl
will join, all right Marry her and bring
her hero. You shall have the cottage at the
end Of the lane; I'll furnish it for YOU; Won,
wages shall be increased, and the old man
may like it or not, as he Wills"
"But"-
"No butts, Joe. Do as l bid you. Go
about 1t at once, snd''-
"You will stand BY me ?"
'Yes-to the last! ! know YOU, joe
You're good fellow, and will make any,
body good son or husband
1.-THE old fellow will be very mad"
who cares, pray Go on, quickly and
quietly
Tomorrow night, then2'
yes"
"I'll hire Clover's horse
"NO-yOu don't "
"No? '
young Morgan; he'll take you of in fms
sN with the new phaeton."
Exactly
"And as soon as you srs spliced, com,
right back here, and Jolly time Wen hav,
OF it a. the old house"
"Her father will kill me-"
bah Hes al old fool, whoever is. e.
don't know your good qualities, Joe, as vel
as do. Don't be afraid; faint heart, 20
know, never won fair woman"
The old man will be astonished."
"Never miEd-go on! Wen turn tn
laugh on him. III take care OF you an
your wife at any rate
"l'll do it."
"You shall" said DaufOrth and the,
parted in the bes. of spirits.
An hour Aftor dark on the following evt
ming, Joe made his appearance, dscked in
new black cloth suit, and really lookin
comedy. The old man hustled out to tn
barn with him, helped TO harness Ioun
Morgan TO the new phgton, and, leading th
spunky animal to The road, away went Jo
Walker in search of his bride. a few rod
distant from the house he found her as Dc
previous arrangement, anu repairing to th
next village, the parson very quickly mad
them one in holy wedlock. Joe took b
bride and dashed back to the town
B, halted at old Danforih's house, VII
was air sAdy looking for him, and receive
him with open arms.
els it done?"
Bring her ID, bring her 10 ~ continue
the old fellow, in hith glee, "never min
plimebts-no matter about the dar
enuy-here Joe, to the right-in the bel
parlur-we'll have time now, sure ~ al
the anxious farmer rushed away tor light
returning Immediately.
"Herse the certificate, sir"
ayes. yea :"
"And this is my wife," added Joe, pAssin
Up the beautiful aud bswitching bride, ID
lovely Minnie.
"Wbat :" rosred the old Gle, "WhAt di
you say, you villain, you scamp, you auda
cious eheat-you-yOu"
"It's the truth, sir, we're lawfully maj
ried. You assisted me; you planned tn
whole AFFAIR. You lent me your horse, 20
thought me last evening worthy of au
mans daughter, you encouraged me. 20
promised me the cottage at the end of th
lane
81 didn't deny it You can't prove i
You're a-a"-
"CAlmly, now, sir"
The eutreatiss of the happy couple wer
united to quell the old mans ire, and PEI
suNde him to acknowledge their union.
The father at length relented.