The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-10-11

husband as to be oblivious to all else,
Mrs. Martin cautiously left the house,
and meeting Joe near at hand, she
hasteued with him to tho residence of
the Chickweeds. The minister, who
had been duly admonished to secrecy,
was III attendance, and IN less than half
| an hour Joe was married man and the
no longer widow was Oh her way back
| home, parting with Joe with single
but very enormous kiss, with which he
was content to satisfy himself, consider
ing what Was to follow from so doing on
the morrow.
The wedding passed off next day to
tho entire satisfaction of all parties.
The affair took place in the morning at
the residence of the bride, and mt the
hour Of noon all the ggests, with the
exception of Joe Chickweed, who had
been formally invited, had departed.
Why he remained so long it puzzled
the rewly married pair to surmise, as
they had not supposed he would be
present at all. Joe took it very easily,
however, and seemed quite unembar-
| rassed with the occasional banteripgs of
the happy Sparks:
81 'spose you'll take up your resi-
dence in the village right away" said
Joc, addressing himself to the newly
| made husband, as they were assembled
In the parlor together; "buy ynu a nice
house and live comfortable.
"Oh, no, replied Mr.. Sparks" don't
know MS shall"
"What! Well, now, I calculate you
don't have any idea Of settling on
farm You amt used to that work,
you know"
Don't know but may" said Sparks,
| assuming q careless air and tone !;
looming on hot weather, you know, and
living in town is bore in summer. Yes,
think I shall try the country life for
while; l amt in the best of health, aud
farm life may improve me-"
"Well, responded Joe, deliberately,
"cun't say that I'm sorry that you're
going to stay with us. I think myself
that 1t would be to your benefit to work
on farm for while, and we'll try to
make it as comfortable as possible for
yon."
Mr.. Sparks looked at his wife they
locked at one another and laughed.
"No doubt" remarked Mr.. Sparks,
"yCu'll make an agreeable neighror,
very agreeable, indeed"
." Oh, we'll be nearer than neighbors,
a good sight-of course we will" said
Joe, glancing with a look Of intelligence
toward the former widow.
Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glanced
at each other. but this time they didn't
langh.
"What do You mean ?" they asked
simultaneously.
oh, excuse me forgot that you
didn't know what had transpired. The
fact is, the widow and myself, taking a
mutual liking to each other, were mar
ried last night. We should have invit-
ed you to the wedding, but we knew
you were SO much engaged"
"What ! married p cried Mr..
Sparks, springing to his feet, while q
lock Of horror overspread his features.
His wife sat pale rs a ghost, utterly un-
able to speak word.
Certainly, married." said Joe,
coolls.
"l Is this sot' he inquired, turning to
the late widow.
You may rely on all he says," she
replied.
"Then I have been swindled 2-im-
posed upon-deceived ! And you knew
Of this also, AZ 4 led me on" he con
tinued in a violent tone, addressing his
wife. :" You worked to get me, while
this internal cheat gets the property"
| No-lt's not sc" exclaimed Melin-
Do, bursting into tears " knew roth-
ing of It. And I thought you married
| me for myself, and not for money-yon
pretended TO have enough Of that your
SELF
Reuben Sparks smiled sickly and
scornful smile.
It's even as thought his money s
so deep in the bunk that he'll never be
able to dig it out" remarked Joe.
| You scheming rascal :" gasped
Sparks, looking as if it would be the
height Of pleasure to eat him entirely
up, body and bones.
ooh, fire away it don't hurt any,
and I've got long lease of the far -
| You scoundrel! !"
And the horses and steers"
"Oh, You miserable cheat ="
And the fixin's generally"
Fool %
And, moreover" continued Joe, as
Stunning more sober and stern tone, and
atthe same tims grae ping Sparks firmly
by the collar, "amoDg other things, I've
got word or two of advice to you. You
married Melinda in the expectation of
stepping into snug property, palEning
yourself off as gentleman to accomplish
your end. You are real schemer. but
a part OF your scheme has failed. Take
my advice and it will be we'll with you :
use Your wife as you know you should
go 10 work like an honest man, and
strive 10 be IN honest one. And finally,
dent let me hear you make use of any
more such expressions as you just now
bestowed upon me, or I'll thrash you
within an inch OF your lifei Remem-
Der, added Joo, giving him shake as
a terrier would rat, you're my son
now, 'cording to law, and you must have
a slight show OF respect for your old
fatherI'