Litchfield enquirer., 1878-06-06
THE RUNAWAY MATCH.


 Minnie was Danforth's only child, and re port said she would be his sole legatee. Tn old man was sturdy farmer, and was estima ted to be worth full ten thousand dollars-a that period very handsome fortune to b. sure.
 The sparkling eyes and winning ways o Minnie Danforth had stirred up the finer feel ings Of the whole male portion of the village and her suitors were numerous; but her fathe was particular, and none succeeded in makin! headway with him or her.
 In the meantime Minnie had true and loy al lover in secret. Walker-Joe Walker. ant he was simply farmer employed by old Dan forth, who had entrusted Joe with the man agement of his place for two or three years
 But very excellent farmer and good mana ger was the plain unassuming, but good look ing Joe Walker. He was only twenty-three and he actually fell in love with the beautiful ] nleasapt, jnynIlc Aiaaio DAnfsrtia, his u1u em pioyers only daughter. But the stranges part of the occurrence was that Minnie return ed his love- earnestly, truly and frankly, anC promised to wed him at favorable time.
 Things went on merrily for time, but ole Danforth discovered certain glances and atten tions between them which excited his anger and suspicion. Very soon after Joe learnel the old mans mind indirectly in regard to hi. future disposal of Minnie's hand, and he quick ly saw that his case was hopeless one, unless he resorted to stratagem; and so he set his wits at once to work.
 By agreement, an apparent settled coolness was observed by the lovers towerds each othel for five or six months, and the father saw, as he thought, with satisfaction, that his previous suspicious and fear had all been premature Then, by agreement between them, J oe absented himself from the house at evening; and night af. ter night for full three months did he disappear | as soon as work was finished to return home only at bedtime. This was unusual and old Dan, | forth determined to know the cause of it.. | Joe frankly confessed that he was in love with mans daughter less than three miles distant, but after several months, the old man had utterly refused to entertain his application | for the young ladys hand This was capital-just what old Danforth most desired. This satisfied him that he had made mistake in regard to his own child, and he would help Joe to get married, and thus stop all further suspicious or troubles at home. Sc he said:
 ''Well, Joe, is she buxom lass ?''
 ''Yes, yes," said Joe. ''That is other folks say so. Pm not much of judge"
 And you like her?'
 ''Yes, sir, yes.'
 ''rhen marry her," said old Danforth
 q can't, the father objects" 'fcon :! continued DanfOrth; 'let him do so what need you care? Run away with her."
 "Elope ?"
 "Yes! Off with her at once! If the gal will marry you, all right Marry her and bring her here. You shall have the cottage at the foot of the lane; I'll furnish it for YOU, your wages shall be Increased, and the old man may like it or not, as he will"
 "But--'
 ''But me no butts, Joe Do as bid you: 20 about 1t at once, and"
 ''You will stand by me?"
 ''Yes, to the last, know you, Joe; you're anybody good husband"
 ''The old fellow will be so mad though"
 "Who cares, l say? Go on quietly, but quickly"
 "To-morrew night, then," said Joe.
 ''Yes, /" said Danforth.
 'Fll hire Glover's horse"
 'No, you shan't."
 ''I say no. Take my horse-the best one young Morgan, he'll take you off in fine style, in the new ph9ton."
 Exactly"
 ''As soon as you're spliced, come right here, and jolly time of it we'll have at the old house."
 But the old man might drop in on us!"
 ''Bah He's an old fool, whoever he is; he don't know your good qualities, Joe, as we'll as do Don't be afraid faint heart, you know, never won fair lady"
 "The old man will be astounded."
 ''Never mind, go on. We'll turn the laugh on him. I'll take care of you and your wife at any rate.' 'Tll do it." said Joe
 "You shall :" said Danforth, and they part ed in the best of spirits.
 An hour after dark, on the following even ing, Joe made his appearance, decked in anew black suit, and looked really very comedy. The old man hustled out to the barn with him, helping him to harness "Young Morgan" to the new ph@ton, and leading the spunky animal himself to the road. Away went the happy Joe Walker in search of his bride A few rods distant he found her, as per previous ar- engagement, and, repairing to the next village, the parson very quickly made them one in ho- ly wedlock. Joe took the bride and soon dashed back to the town of P, and halted at the house of Danforth, who was already open arms. --s -.., 'Is it done 7" asked the old man.
 "Yes-yes" answered Joe.
 ''Bring her in, bring her in," continued the old fellow, in high glee; ''never mind compli- ments, no matter about the dark entry; here here, Joe, to the right, in the parlor we'll have jolly time now," said the anxious farmer pushing away for lights, returning almost i'm mediately.
 'I am married-'
 'Yes, yes"
 "And this is my wife," he added, as he passed up the beautiful bride. the bewitching and lovely Minnie Danforth
 "What !" roared the father, "Joe, you vil- lain, you scamp, you audacious cheat, yes- you-you." Ut is true, sir; we are lawfully married You assisted me, you planned the whole affair you lent me your horse, you thought me last evening worthy of any mans daughter, you promised me the cottage at the foot of the lane, you"
 T didn't. deny it. You can't prove it. You're a-a-a-"
 Calmly now, sir" continued Joe; and the entreaties of the happy couple were at once united to quell the old mans ire, and to per- suade him to acknowledge their union.
 The father relented at this. It was g job of his own manufacture, and he saw how use less it would be finally to attempt to destroy it.
 He gave in reluctantly, and the fair Minnie Danforth was overjoyed to be duly acknowl- edged as Mrs. Joe Walker.
 The marriage proved happy one and the original assertion of old Danforth proved truthful in every respect. The cunning lover was good son and faithful husband, and liv ed many years to enjoy the happiness which followed upon this runaway match, while the old man never cared to hear much about the details of the elopement, for he saw how com pletely he had overshot himself: IT >..,.t The following card from Hon L. w. Coe to the workingmen of Wolcottville is good advice the country ever:
 The Water Company have a job in hand that will amount in wages for labor to-say live or six thousand dollars, which will be paid cut either to you, or to persons outside of the village. The prices the water company pro pose to pay are as much as are paid for similar work in other places. The work will be done