The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1875-05-14

"But, no butts, Joe. DO as bid you g
about it at once; and"
"Iou will stand by me?"
"Yes, to the last. | know you, Joe
You're good fellow, good workman, anC
will make anybody good son, or gooC
husband"
"The old fellow will be so mad though.
"Who cares, | say? Go on quickly bu
quietly"
Tomorrow night, then," said joe
"Yes," said Danforth.
'I'll hire Colvers horse"
"No?"
81 say no. Take my horse-the best
oAe-Young Morgan; he'll take you of in
fine style, in the new phaeton.'
| Exactly"
"And as soon as you're spliced, come
right back here, and a jolly time we'll have
of il at the old house."
''Her father will kill mel"
"Bah He's an old fool, whoever he is ;
he don't know your good qualities, Joe, so
well as | do. Don't be afraid a faint heart,
you know, never won fair woman"
"The old mau will be astounded."
"Ncver mind, go on. Well turn the
laugh on him. I'll take care of you and
your wife at any rate"
'I'll do it," replied Joe.
"You SHALL" said Danforth; and they
parted in the best of spirits.
An honr ofto
evening, Joe made his appearance, decked
in nice new black suit, and really looking
very comely. The old man hustled out to
the barn with him, helping to harness
"Young Morgan" to his new phaeton, and
leading the spunky animal himself to the
road, away went happy Joe Walker in
search of his bride. A few rods distant
from the house he found her, as per previ-
ous arrangement; and repairing to the next
village, the parson very quickly made them
one in holy wedlock. Joe took the bride,
and soon dashed back to the town of p
| and halted at old Danforth's house who was
already looking for him, and who received
him with open arms.
as it done?" cried the old man.
"Yes-yesw answered Joe.
bring her in, bring her in," continued
the old fellow, in high glee; "never mind
compliments; no matter about the dark
entry; here, Joe, to the right in the best
parlor; we'll have time now, surer and
the anxious farmer pushed away for lights,
| returning almost Immediately.
Here's the certificate, sir" said Joe.
eyes, yes"
"And this is my wife," he added, as he
passed up his beautiful hride-the bewitch-
ing and lovely Minnie DantorM !
"What" roared the old file; "Joe-you
william, you scamp, you audacious cheat,
you-you-you"
at is true, sir, we are lawfully married.
You advised me to this course, you as sisted
me, you planned the whole affair." you lent
me your horse, you thought me, last even
ing, worthy of any mans child, you prom
ised to stand by me, you encouraged me,
you promised me the cottage at the foot of
the lane, you-"
81 didn't! l deny it. You can't prove
it, you re a-a-a-a"
Calmly now, sir" continued Joe. And
the entrcaties of the happy couple were at
once united to quell the old mans ire, and
to persuade him to acknowledge the union.
The father relented at last. 1t was a Job
of his own manufacture, and he saw how
useless it would be finally to attempt to des-
troy it.
He gave in reluctantly, and the fair
Minnie Danforth was oveUoyed to be duly
acknowledged as Mrs. Joe Walker.
The marriage proved a joyful one and
the original assertion of old Danforth
proved truthful in every respect. The cum
ming lover was a good son and faithful
husband, and lived many years to enjoy the
happiness which followed upon his runaway
match while the old man never cared to
hear much about the details of the elope-
ment, for he saw how completely he had
over-shot his mark