The Jasper weekly courier., 1876-09-15

sons-Melinda and Reuben Sparks, the
latter Young man who had recently
returned 10 Springville from California,
who was looked upon with especial 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
his due. lie was greeted by Mr.. Sparks
in sort of Joking. condescending way,
that raised his ire inwardly. However,
the conversation that followed was APP
parently agreeable 10 all parties, and
The evening wore away till the widow
retired, when Mr.. Sparks intimated THAI
perhaps il was time for him TO be retir-
ing, as il was quite little walk 10 the
village. Melinda AZ once asserted that
il was very early indeed, and he should
not think ofleaving so soon; whereupOn
Mr.. Sparks was induced TO stop while
longer, and Mr.. Chickweed was secretly
enraged that Melinda should be so taken
up with the young sprig.
California became the topic of cOnver-
sation, and Reuben Sparks shone bril-
liantly in his descriptive accounts of the
country and what he had done while
there.
"Then you weren't in the diggin's'"
inquired Joe, in response 10 something
his rival had uttered.
"By no means" replied Sparks,
loftily. ''Ileft,the digging to those who
were used to it; had no taste in that
direction"
"Oh, then YOU stopped in towne"
Certainly"
Business, Is'pose, first-rate there?"
"Yes; young man of talent will
soon engage himself in profitable en-
ployment."
.'Then | s'pect you must have done
extraordinarily WE'LL" in a tone that he
intended should be sarcastic.
"Oh," replied the other, laughing
in q meaning way, and winking with
one eye at the young lady, who appear
ed TO take and enjoy it accordingly
/" as for that matter, | can't complain.
think / improved my chance rather
think | did. No, can't complain, by
no means
"Then why didn't you stay longer?
You weren't gone but a short time
YOU should have stayed year or two
more, and made neutrality-suspicious."
"Perhaps I'm Independent already;
l say perhaps. OF course, can't tell
ycs the exact amount made-that,
think, is quite unnecessary"
"Oh, quite"
"And, perhaps, too, there were at
fractions in this part Of the world as
alluring as gold"
He looked knowingly at Melinda as
he spoke, and gave her another wink,
which that Young lady seemed 10 relish,
though she blushed and seemed Won
derfully embarrassed for a moment.
Joe noticed what occurred, and didn't
fancy the course affairs seemed 10 be
taking. He knew that he should feel
and appear peculiarly savage if he re-
mained much longer, and he limited il
was about time for him 10 be going
and what seemed 10 enrage him more
than all else, Melinda appeared 10 be
Of the same mind, for she offered no OBJ
lection. So he took his hat and de-
parted, with frmness in his step and
bitterness in his heart.
al don't like the looks of things At
all" he muttered to himself, as he
walked on through the dark; "she j.
altogether too tender to that chap 20 be
agreeable TO me. If he has not turned
her head, then there Is n mistake some
where. don't believe he has brought
enough money from California 10 buy a
rope TO hang himself. lie is after the
widder's farm now, 10 make il up, I'll
bet my hat. Yes, sir, he means 10
catch Melinda, and I've been fool
enough to wait until this time TO come
TO q final point. But perhaps it amt
TOO late yet maybe she will consent TO
have me yet, il lose no time in asking
her. III try il, vow Twill. III 90
over again tomorrow and have the
thing settled
And, having come to this conclusion,
he hurried forward, and soon after was
dreaming of Melinda Martin, the wild
ow, himself and an infinite number of
Reuben Sparkses, who were chasing
him up a steep hill, and endeavoring
I 20 beat his brains out with bars Of Cali
fornia gold.
Mrs. Chickweed was most anxious
next morning 10 learn from her son the
result of his mission 70 the widows,
but Joe was silent and pensive, avoid
ing his mothers eyes, and keeping
way from the house as much as possi-
ole. Late in the evening he carefully
dressed himself in his best suit, and,
with a look Of determination stamped
on his features, he once more deter
mined 10 visit the tickle Melinda.
He found her az 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.
"0h, yes, did, | assure YOU" was
the reply.