Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-10-09
The Runaway Match.

not so plenty in New York as they arc
now, there dwelt in the town of P-s
pretty village, distance then about five
and twenty miles from Market town, q
peculiar comeIy and graceful maiden,
who had peculiarly ugly and cross
grained and wealthy father. Minnie
was Danforth's only child, and report
SAID truly she would be his only legatee.
Inc Old man was sturdy farmer, and
was estimated to be worth ten thousand
collars, at that period very handsome
fortune to be sure.
Inc sparkling eyes and winning smiles
OF Minnie Danforth had stirred up the
liner feelings of the whole male cortion
OF the village, and suitors were num-
erous, but her father was particular, and
none succeeded in making headway
with him or her.
| In the meantime, Minnie had a true
and loyal lover in secret. Who would
have supposed for one minute that such
fellow would have dared to look upon
such beauty and comparative refine
ment? His name was Walker, or as he
was generally known Joe Walker, and
he was simply farmer, employed by
old DanfOrth, who had entrusted him
with the management of his place for
two or three years.
But very excellent farmer, and
bright, good manager, was this plain, un-
assuming, but good looking Joe Walker.
He was young, too, only twenty-three,
and had actually fell in love with the
beautiful, pleasant, joyous Minnie Dan
forth, his old employers daughter. But
the strangest part of the occurrence was
that Minnie returned his love earnestly,
truly and frankly, and promised to wed
him at the favorable moment.
Things went on merrily for time,
but old Danforth discovered certain
glances and attentions between them,
which excited his envy and suspicion
Very soon afterwards Joe learned the
old mans mind indirectly, in regard to
his future disposal of Minnie's hand,
and he quickly saw that the case was q
hopeless one, unless he resorted to STRAIT
egem, and so he sat his wits to work.
By an agreement, an apparent cool
ness and distance was observed by the
lovers towards each other for five or six
months, and the father saw (as he be-
lieved,) with satisfaction, that his sus-
piciOus and fears had all been prema-
ture. Then by agreement, also between
them, Joe absented himself from the
house on evenings, and night after
night, for full three months longer, did
Joe disappear as soon as his work was
to return home only at late
bedtime. This was unusual, and old
Danforth determined to know the rea-
son it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was in
love with mans daughter who resided
less than three miles distant, but after
faithful attachment of several months,
the old gentleman utterly refused to en-
tertain his application for the hand of
the young girl.
This was capital. Just what old DAN
forth most desired. This satisfied him
that he had made mistake in regard to
his child, and he would help Joe to get
married, and thus stop all further suspi-
cious of trouble at home. So he said:
swell, Joe, is she buxom lass ?n
"Yes, yes," said Joe. '"That is for 9TH
er folks to say-I'm not much ofa Judge
myself"
'And do you like her?n
YES, sir-yes."
"Then marry her." said old Danforth.
"But [ can't-the father objects"
''Pooh?" continued Danforth. "Let
him do so-what need you care. Run
away with her."
"Elope?"
eyes, off with you at once. If the girl
will join-all right. Marry her, bring
her here-you shall have the cottage at
the end of the lane-I will furnish it for
you-your wages shall be increased, and
the old man may like it or not, as he
will.n |'t a
"But-n ..-,.,....
'tNo butts, Joe, do as I bid you-go q
bout it at once, and"
"You will stand by lne?"
''Yes, to the last. I know you, Joe.
You are good fellow, and will make
good son or husband"
1.-THE old fellow will be very mad,
though"
"Who cares, 1 say 9? Go on quickly and
quietly"
"To morrow night, then,n said Joe.
"Yes," said Danforth.
"I'll hire Clover's horse"
81 say no; take my horse-the best
one, young Morgan-he'll take you off
in fine style, with the new ph@ton."
"Well, SIR"
GAS soon as you are spliced come right
back here. and a jolly time we'll have of
it at the old house." t
"Her father will kill me-"
"Bah! He's an old fool, whoever he
is-he don't know your good qualities,
Joe, as I do. Don't be afraid-faint
heart, you know, never won fair wo-
man,
"But the old man will be astonish-
ed"
''Never mind, go on. Well turn the
laugh on him. I'll take care of you. at
any rate"
"I'll do it," said Joe.
''You SHALL" said Danforth, and they
parted in the best of spirits"
An hour after dark on the following
evening, Joe made his appearance, deck
ed in new black cloth suit, and really
looked very comely. The old man BUS
tied out to the barn with him, helped him
to harness young Morgan to the new
phaeton, and leading the sprunky animal
himself into the road, away went Joe
Walker in search of his bride. A few
rods distant from the hose he found her,
as per previous arrangement, and re-
pairing to the village, the parson very
quickly made them one in holy we'd
lock. Joe took his bride and dashed
back to the town of P, halted at
old Danforth's house, who was already
looking for him, and received him with
open arms"
"Isit done?" cried the old man.
"Bring her in, bring her in" continu.
ed the old fellow in high glee, "never
mind compliments, never mind the dark
entry-here, ice, to the right, in the
best parlor; we'll have time now,
sure" and the anxious farmer rushed
away for lights and returned quickly.
''Here is the certificate, sir" said Joe.
"Yes-yes."
"And this is my wife," he added, as
he passed up the beautiful bride, the be-
witching and lovely Minnie Danforth.
"What ?n roared the old file. What
did you say, you villain, you scamp, you
audacious cheat you-you-"
''It is true, sir, we are lawfully marri-
ed. You assisted me-you planned the
whole affair, you lent me your horse,
you thought me last evening worthy of
any mans daughter, you encouraged
me, you promised me the cottage at the
end of the lane"
II did not! 1 deny it! you can't prove
it! You are IA"
Calmly now, sir,p continued Joe.-
And the entreaties of the happy couple
were united to quell the old mans ire,
and to persuade him to acknowledge
their union.
The father at length relented.