Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-05-13
THE RUNAWAY MATCH.

A great many years since, when
bright-eyed, fair-haired lasses were not
90 plenty in England as they are now,
there dwelt in the town of P, q
pretty village, distant, then, some five
and twenty miles from the Market
town, a peculiarly comely and graceful
maiden, who had . peculiarly ugly
and cross grained but wealthy faith
eE>ssas :. ,.saxs.-ses.k kssssssys.....s-...
Minnie Was Danforth's only child;
and report said truly that she would be
his sole legatee. The old man was a
sturdy farmer, and was estimated to be
worth full ten thousand dollars-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 nu-
merous; but her father was particular,
and none succeeded in making headway
with him or her.
In the meantime Minnie had a true
and loyal lover in secret. We would
not have supposed for one moment that
such fellow would look on beauty and
comparative refinement. His name
was Walker, or, as he was generally
called, Joe-Joe Walker, and he was
simply farmer, employed by old DAN
forth, who had entrusted Joe with the
management Of his place for two OF
three years.
But a very excellent farmer and a
right good manager, was the plain. un-
assuming but good looking Joe Walk
ker. He was young, too, only twenty
three; and he actually fell in love with
the beautiful, pleasant, joyous Minnie
Danforth, his old employers only daugh-
ter. But the strangest part of the occur.
renee was, that Minnie returned his
love earnestly, truly and frankly; and
promised to wed him at favorable mo-
ment.
Things went on merrily for a time,
but old Danforth discovered certain
glances and attentions between them,
which excited his envy and suspicion
Very soon afterwards Joe learned the
old mans mind, indirectly, in regard
to his future disposal Of Minnie's hand,
and he quickly saw that his case was a
hopeless one. unless be resorted to
stratagem; and 90 he set his wits al
once TO work.
BY an agreement, an apparently set
tied coldness and distance was observed
bv the lovers towards each other for
five or six months; and the father saw,
(as he believed, with satisfaction, that
his previous suspicious and fears had
been all premature. Then, BY agree
ment also, between them, Joe absented
himself from the house at evening, and
night after night for full three months
longer, did Joe disappear as soon as his
work was finished, to return home only
ut late bedtime. This was unusual,
and old Danfcrth determined to know
the cause of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was in
love with mans daughter, who resid-
ed less than three miles distant; but,
after afaithfulattachment between them
for several months, the old man had
utterly refused to entertain his applica-
ton for the young girrs hand.
This was capital Just what old
Danforth most desired. This satisfied
him that he had made mistake in re-
gard 10 his own child; and he would
help Joe to get married and thus stop
al further suspicious or trouble at
home. So he said:
We'll, Joe, 10 she . buxom lass ?
Yes-yes, said Joe. That 10 etksz