The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-05-14
Miscellaneous.
THE RUNAWAY MATCH ;
Or Over-ShOOting the Mark.

a great many years since, when bright
eyed, fair-haired lasses were not so plenty in
England as they are now, there dwelt in
the town of p, pretty village, distant,
then, some five and twenty miles from the
Market town, a peculiar comely and grace
ful maiden who had peculiar, ugly and
cross-grained but wealthy father.
Minnie was Danforth's only child; and
report said truly that she would be his sole
legatee. The old man was sturdy farmer,
and was estimated to be worth full ten
thousand doilars-at that period, very
handsome fortune to be sure.
The sparkling eyes and winning ways of
Minnie Danforth had stirred up the finer
feeling of the whole male portion of the
village, and her suitors were numerous but
her father was particular, and none sue
ceeded in making headway with him or
her.
In the meantime Minnie had true and
loyal lover in secret. Who would have
supposed for one moment that such fell
low would look on beauty and comparative
refinement? His name was Walker, or, as
he was generally called, Joe--Joe Walker,
and he was simply a farmer, employed by
old Danforth, who had entrusted Joe with
the management of his place for two or
three years.
Buta very excellent farmer and right
good manager, was the plaia, unassuming
but good looking Joe Walker. He was
young, too, only twenty-three; and he
actually fell in love with the beautiful,
pleasant, oyous, Minnie Danforth, his old
employers lnly daughter. blt thestrangest
part of the occurrence was, that Minnie re-
turned his love earnestly, truly, and frankly;
and promised to wed him at a favorable mo-
| ment.
Things went on merrily for time, but
old Danforth discovered certain glances
and attentions between them, which excited
his envy and suspicion. Very soon after
wards, Joe learned the old mans mind, in
directly, in regard to his future disposal OF
| Minnie's hand, and he quickly saw that his
case was hopeless one, unless he resorted
| to stratagem; and so he set his wits at once
| to work.
By an agreement, an apparently settled
coldncss and distance was observed by the
lovers towards each other for five or six
months; and the father saw (as he believed
with satisfaction, that his previous sus'
| picions and fears had been all premature
| Then, by agreement also between them
| Joe absented himself from the house a
evening; and night after night for ful
three months longer, did Joe disappear a
soon as his work was finished, to return
home only at late bed time. This was un
usual, and old Danforth determined t
know the cause of it,
Joe frankly confessed that he was in low,
with mans daughter, who resided les
than three miles distant but, after faith
full attachment between them for seyera
months, the old man had utterly refused I,
entertain his application for the younl
girls hand,
This was capital. Just what old Dan
forth most desired. This satisfied him tina
he had made a mistake in regard to his owl
child and he would help Joe to get mar
ried and thus stop all further suspicious o
trouble at home. So he said;
"Well, Joe, she is a buxom lass?"
"Yes-yes," said Joe. THAT is, othe
folks say so. Pm not much of judg
myself"
"And you like herr"
"Ies, sir-yes,"
"Then marry her" said old Danforth.
"But | can't-the father objects"
Pooh !" continued Daniorth "let him d
so what need you care Run away wit
her"
"Elope"
"Yes on with you at once If the "a
will join-all right. Marry her and brin
her here you shall have the little cottage {
the foot of the lane. I'll furnish it for you
your wages shall be increased; and th
old man may like it, or aot, as he will"