Middletown transcript., 1876-10-07
Se1ett Storp.
Joe Chickweed's Cou1t {

L VOW said Joe Chickweed, as b
stood before the parlor mirror, putting
the last touch to bis we'll oiled hair, Il
| let this night pass without finding ou
just how / stand with Melinda Martin
then I'm a COW. The critter has Away
acted SO pesky skittish that there's n'
gettin' round her. like her. and sh'
knows it, and I'm inclined to think sh'
likes me. But she likes more than ons
string to her bow, and I ain't sure bu
she'd ship me any minute if she thought
she could make better bargain. May
be I'm doin' her an injustice, and
hope I am, but she acts sometimes
'tarnally like q real coquette. and ]
don't know what to make Of her. But,
tonight be added, fitting an immense
ly wide brimmed hat upon bis shining
head, 'to- night I'll settle the matter
I'll cross the Rubicon, if l get my boots
full of water. Melinda amt bad spec,
and might do worse most anywhere
else., rr,rr = rr-7-
Do,.ell me fits come 70 .hatp Il.
claimed old Mrs. Chickweed, who had
entered the room unnoticed by her son
in time to hear the last sentence well,
I've long had notion that you was
aiming in that direction
Joe turned red from bis eye winkers
to his ankles, and looked very sheepish.
He worked. very busily, too, for a few
seconds, with brushing some imaginary
dust from place between the shoulders
of his coat, which he couldn't reach,
but he said nothing.
'There amt nothing to be ashamed
on. joe" continued tho loquacious old
lady apparently pleased at making the
discovery she had, and you spoke the
gospel truth when you said you might
do worse elsewhere. Melinda's a nice
GAL
WELL said Joe, gaining courage
from his mothers manner. 'rm glad
you think so, for I'm bound to make
her my wife if
If what?' asked the old lady.
We'll, if nothing's agiu it.
You just do your duty. Joe. and
Melinda is yourn. Remember the farm.
1t is fine farm, no mistake = said
Joe, earnestly.
mo better farm of its size in the
whole country than the Wilder Mar
tins said Mrs. Chickweed, in an en-
phatic tone.
mo, / think not
And then see how it is stocked; two
yoke of the best steers in these parts,
besides her two horses, say nothing Of
the rest of the critters, And. of course,
they'll all 60 with Melinda when the
widder's dead, and before, too, for you
will 60 right on the farm as soon as you
get married, and take charge Of every
thing IA Gf 8t
It's a good opinion. that's fact
said Joe; but I put higher value on
Melinda than all the property
And well you should. though the
farm and fxin's amt to be despised
oh, l amt one to despise 'em.'
Joe laughed and left the room, and
soon after be left the house, and made
his way, as expeditiously as the gloom
Of the evening would permit, toward
the residence of the Widow Martin. A
light was burning in the front room,
but the window curtains were closely
drawn SO that be could not get view
into the apartments as he passed along
the yard He knocked at the door, and
was admitted by the widow in person,
who. after inquiring benevolently after
his health. ushered him into the parlor.
It was already occupied by two per-
sons-Melinda and Reuben Sparks, the
latter young man who had recently
returned to Spriugville from California,
who was looked upon with special dis
favor by the young farmer
Joe was welcomed by the young lady,
but not as cordially as formerly. and by
no means SO cordially as Joe thought
bis due. He was greeted by Mr.. Sparks
in sort Of joking. condescending way.
that raised his ire inwardly. However,
the conversation that followed was ap-
parently agreeable to all parties, and
the evening wo,e away till the widow
retired, when Mr. Sparks intimated chat
perhaps it was time for him to be retir-
ing. as it was quite little walk to the
village. Meliu1a at once asserted that
it was very early indeed. and he should
not think of leaving so soon whereupon
Mr.. Sparks was induced to stop a while
longer, and Mr.. Chickweed was secretly
enraged that Melinda should be SO taken
up With the young sprig.
California became the topic of con-
versation, and Reuben Sparks shone
brilliantly in his descriptive accounts Of
the country and what he had done
while there.
Then you weren't in the diggin's 2
inquired Joe. in response to something
his rival had uttered q " II w
BY no means, replied Sparks, loftily.
4 left the digging to those who were