Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-11-13
The Runaway Match.

! VINO hau decidedly ugly ana cross
grained but wealthy father.
Minnie was Danforth's only child
and report said she would be his sole
legatee. The old man was sturdy
farmer, and was estimated 10 be worth
full ten thousand dollars-at that period
a very handsome fortune, to be sure.
The sparkling eyes and winning
ways of Minnie Danforth had stirred uI
The finer feelings of the whole male
portion cf the village, and her suitors
were numerous: but her father was
particular, anu none succeeded In max
ing headway against him or her.
| In the meantime Minnie had a true
and loyal lover in secret. His name
was Walker-Joe Walker, and he was
simply farmer, employed by old Dam
forth, who had entrusted Joe with the
management of his place for two or
three years.
But very excellent farmer and good
manager was the plain, unassuming
but good-looking Joe Walker. He was
only twenty-three, and he actually fell
in love with the beautiful, pleasant,
joyous Minnie Danforth, his old en-
ployer's only daughter. But the
strangest part of the occurrence was,
Minnie returned his love earnestly,
truly and frankly, and promised to wed
him at favorable time.
ThiuOS want np ,,narr;1- ,,-l,;lo
but old Danforth discovered certain
glances and attentions between them
which excited his anger and suspicion
Very soon after Joe learned the old
mans mind indirectly in regard to his
future disposal of Minnie's hand, ami
he qnickly saw that his case was a
hopeless one, unless he resOrted to
strategem: and so he at once set his
wits TO work.
BY agreement, an apparently settled
coolness was observed by the lovers to-
wards each other for five or six months,
and the father saw, as he thought,
with satisfaction, that his previous sus-
picions ard fears had all been pre-
mature. Then, by mutual consent,
Joe absented himself from the house at
evening; and night after night for full
three months did he disappear as soon
as his work was finished. to return
home only at late bedtime. This was
unusual, and old Danforth determined
10 know the cause of II.
Joe frankly confessed that he was in
love with a mans daughter, who re-
sided less than three miles distant; but,
after several months, the old man had
utterly refused to entertain his app,ica-
tion of the young lady's hand.
This was capital-just what old DAN
forth p,ost desired. This satisfied him
that he had made a mistake in regard
to his own child. and he would help to
get Joe married, and thus stop all fur
ther suspicious or troubles at home. So
he said:
''Well, Joe, is she buxom lass?"
Yes, sir" said Joe. THAT is,
other folks say so. I'm not much of
Judge"
And you like her?"
Eyes, sir; yes"
"Then marry her." said old Dam
forth.
% can't; the father Objects"
Pooh ~ continued Danforth; "let
him do so: what need you care? Run
away with herr"
"Elope?"
"Yes. OFF with her at once. Ii the
gal will marry you, all right. Marry
her aud bring her here. You shall
have the cottage at the foot OF the lane
III furnish il for you; your wages
shall be increased, and the old man
may like il or not, as he WILL
But"
"Giye me no butts, Joe. Do as bid
you; go about it at once, and"
"You will stand by me?"
"Yes, TO the last. know you. Joe
you're a good fellow, good workman,
and will make anybody a good hus-
band"
"The old fellow will be so mad,
though"
"who cares, say? Go on quietly
but quickly"
Tomorrow night, then," said Joe.
Eyes" said Danforth.
"Ill hire Clover's horse"
No, you shan't."
"No?"
81 say no. Take my horse-the best
one-young Morgan; he'll take you off
in fine style. in the new phaeton."
Exactly"
"As soon as you're spliced, come
right here, and jolly time Wen have
of it 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 quail
ties, Joe, as well as 1 do. Don't be
afraid. A faint heart, you know, never
won fair lady"
1.-The old man will be astounded."
"Never mind, go on. Well turn the
laugh on him. I'll take care OF you
and vour wife at any rate"
"I'll do it :" said Joe.
"You shallr' said Danforth. and
they parted in the best of spirits.
An hour after dark, on the following
evening, Joe made his appearance,
decked in a new black suit, and looking
really very comely. The old man bus
tied about the barn with him, helping
TO harness "young Morgan n" to the
new phaeton, 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 arrangement.
and, repairing to tie next village, the
parson very quickly n ade them one in
holy wedlock. Joe took the bride and
soon dashed hack to tie town of P.
and halted al the house of Danforth,
who was already looking for him, and
received him with open arms.
"Is it done?" asked the old man.
"Yes-yes, answered Joe.
Dr;,1 bor In hrinU her in - con.