Middletown transcript., 1876-10-07
country life for while; l amt in the
best Of health, and farm life may inn

country lie IOr Wniie aiu IL ""
best Of health, and farm life may i'm
prove me-
WELL responded Joe, deliberately
can't say that I'm sorry that your
going to stay with rs. think myssl
that it would be to your benefit t
work on farm for while. and wei
try to make it as comfortable as possi-
BILE for you
Mr.. Sparks looked at his wife /; they
looked at one another and laughed.
mo doubt remarked Mr.. Sparks
You'll make an agreeable neighbor,
very agreeable. indeed
.'Oh, we'll be nearer than neigh.
bors, good sight-of course We will.
said Joe, glancing with look of in
telligence toward the former widow.
Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glanced
at each other, but this time they didn't
laugh.
What do you mean 2 they asked
simultaneously.
.Oh, excuse mo; I forgot that you
didn't know what had transpired. The
fact is, the widow and myself, taking q
mutual liking to each other. were mar
ried last night. We should have in
>yited you to the wedding, but we knew
yourwere SO much engaged
What! married 2 cried Mr.. Sparks,
snrins;np to his feet. while a look of
horror overspread his features. His
wife sat pale as ghost, utterly unable
to speak a word.
Certainly. married. said Joe. cool
is this SO p he inquired. turning to
the late widow. rwczT
You may rely on all be says she
replied. }L
Then l have been swindled ?-im-
posed upon-deceived And you knew v
Of this also, and led me on he con-
Mnued in a violent tone, addressing his
wife. You worked to get me. while
this Internal cheat gets the property
No-it's not so,' exclaimed Me-
linda, bursting into tears knew
nothing Of it. And I thought you
married me for myself, and not for
money-you pretended to have enough
of that YOURSELF
Reuben Sparks smiled a sickly and
scornful smile.
It's even as I thought his moneys
so deep in the bank that he'll never be
able to dig it OUT remarked Joe.
You scheming rascal, gasped
Sparks, looking as if it would bs the
height Of pleasure to eat him entirely
up, body and bones
.Oh, FIRE away ! it don't hurt any,
and I've got q long lease Of the far
You scoundrel!
And the horses aud steers
'Oh, you miserable cheat!
And the fxin's generally
'Foolp
And, moreover,' continued Joe. as
suming a more sober and stern tone,
and at the same time grasping Sparks
firmly by the collar. among other
things. I've got word or two Of ad-
vice to you. You married Melinda in
The expectation Of stepping int snug
property. palming yourself off as a
gentleman to accomplish your end.
You are real schemer, but part Of
your scheme has failed Take my ad-
vice and it will be we'll with you; use
your wife as you know you should : 60
10 work like an honest man, and strive
10 be an honest one. And finally, don't
let me hear you make use of any more
such expressions as you just now be-
slowed upon me, or I'll thrash you
within an inch Of your life Remem-
oer.' added Joe. giving him shake as
. terrier would q rat, you're my son
low, 'cording to law, and you must
nave slight show Of respect for your
I'D father 70 @N
Reuben Sparks seemed to come at
,nce to his senses, and after little re-
lection, concluded that the advice he
lad received was. upon the whole, the
pest be could act upon; aud for many
year thereafter Joe Chickweed looked
,pon him as a most valuable assistant.