Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-09-30

q meaning way, and winking with OF
eye ut the young lady, who appeared
take and enjoy It accordingly" as 4
that matter, cant complain, l thin
l improved my chance father thin
I did. No, I can't complain, by an
means"
"Then why didn't you stay longe,
You weren't gone but short time; 20
should have stayed year or two mor'
and made yourself independent"
"Perhaps I'm independent already;
! say perhaps. OF course, can't tell yo
the exact amount made-that, thinl
is quite unnecessary.
ooh, quite"
"And, perhaps, too, there were a
fractions in this part OF the world q
alluring as gold."
He looked knowingly at Melinda a
he spoke, and gave her another winh
which that young lady seemed to relish
though she blushed and seemed wor
derfully embarrassed for moment
Joe noticed what occurred, and didn
fancy the course affairs seemed to b
taking. He knew that he should fee
and appear peculiarly savage if he re
NAMED much longer, and he limited
was about time for him to be going
and what seemed to enrage him NOR
thar. all else, Melinda appeared to be O
the same mind, for she offered no objec
tion. So he took his hat and departed
with firmness in his step and bitterness
in his heart.
~ don't like the looks of things a
ALL" he muttered to himself, as b.
walked on through the dark; "she is al
together too tender to that chap to b,
agreeable to me. II he has not turne,
her head, then there is mistake some
where. 1 don't believe he has brough
enough money from California to buy
rope to hang himself. He is after th.
widder's farm now, TO make it up, II
bet my hat. Yes, sir, he means to catcl
Melinda, and I've been fool enough tt
wait until this time to come to fna
point. But perhaps it amt too late yet
maybe she will consent to have me yet
if I lose no time in asking her. I'll try
it, I vow l will. I'll go over again to.
morrow and have the thing settled"
And, having come to this conclusion,
he hurried forward, and soon after was
dreaming of Melinda Martin. the wild
dow, himself, and an infinite number OF
Reuben Sparkses, who were chasing
him up steep hill, and endeavoring to
beat his brains out with bars of Califor-
mia gold.
Mrs. Chickweed was most anxious
next morning to learn from her son the
result of his mission to the widows, but
Joe was silent and pensive, avoiding his
mothers eyes, and keeping away from
the house as much as possible. Late in
the evening he carefully dressed himself
in his best suit, and, with look of de-
termination stamped on his features, he
Melinda.
He found her at home and alone.
=" Hope you spent an agreeable even
ing yesterday" remarked Joe, after he
had passed the usual compliments, and
seated himself near the lady.
"Oh, yes, I did, l assure you" was
the reply.
"Mr. Sparks, I should say, was very
entertai aing young man."
Joe didn't think anything of the kind,
but quite the contrary.
He is. indeed, very interesting" re-
piled Melinda.
Joe looked anything but pleased at
this encomium on his rival, and sat for
some moments in utter silence.
At length he turned to the young lady
and said:
81 came here last evening with the
intention OF speaking to you on par
ticular subject, but I found you so en-
gagged that l determined to call again
tonight, and so-so"-
"Here you are," said Melinda, smil-
ing at his embarrassment.
"Yes, here l am. And now that am
here, I'll tell youat once whatI came for.
You know ! love you I've told you as
much more'n once, and I've aattered
myself that weren't Indifferent to you.
But now I wish you to tell me if you
really love me in return, and if I may
hope to make you my wife. Will you
marry me ?"
Joe, having arrived at this important
question, looking tender and appealing
lv into her face, and breathlessly waited
her reply-she colored slightly and bent
her eyes to the floor.
"You are quite right in supposing
that you are not Indifferent to me, for
regard you very highly" she said.
Then all my fears have been ground
less !" uttered Joe, exultingly.
But then" continued the lady, 81
cannot very well grant your wishes re-
garding
"What," cried Joe, his countenance
suddenly changing.
81 can't very we'll marry you p
"And why can't you9 I'd like to
know what is to hinder your marrying
ne if you think enough Of me-"
"There is one reason in particular.
"What is 10"
SIN. engaged to another"
Joe turned pale.
"Sparks," he cried "tell me-tell
me, is it Sparks 2"
"Well-and if it is2"
81 knew it +! Blast him, knew what
he was AFTER"
81 don't know that Mr.. Sparks has
lcted in any way as he should not" re-
marked the young lady, warmly.
"He's cheating villain !! replied
Joe, Indignantly.
You don't know him he's nothing
u Gn0 k1nQ.
"It's you that don't know him but |
7ou will before long. I've been de-
,eived, and amt afraid to say 80 | It's
he money that he pretends to have
hats lost me wife ; but when you
want to touch it, just as like as not you
Won't be able"
He rushed from the house as he ut
cred these words, and hurried home
ward. He found his mother still up,
md was eagerly interrogated by her as
20 the luck he had met with. He told
Ter all, and little coincidence was she
enabled to offer in return.
For two or three days following Joe
Jhickweed said very little, but he
hought much. One morning he met his
mother with smiling face and a sort of
triumph in his look. The old lady was
somewhat surprised at this sudden
,hange in her sons manner.
"Why, what on earth's the matter
low, Joes" said she; 81 hope you amt
yoin' crazy" af
"Not by long shot," replied Joe;
. l amt quite 30 big fool as that"
"Then what ails you9"
"Oh, I've got it all arranged at last
TS~-<,. I,