Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-04-06
Old Mr.. Doyer's Story.


marrying TO suit the old folks.
!. wasn't so curious about Miranda Bates
clipping, but the things ;ha; came Of il were
funny.
You see. Grandfather Bates wouldn't have
ANYTHING 10 say to jeremiah Jones when be
asked him whether or not be couldn't have
Miranda. Aud so she just packed up her
bundle. aud he was to have q carriage Nc
twelve o'clock 10 carry her OF 10 the parsons.
Well. she WAS all packed up and ready 10 q
bic cloak with a hood and was creeping down
stairs softly. not 20 wake any one, when she
saw some orc else in a cloak aud hood creep
ing down before her.
Il was her grandmother, old Mrs. Bates
going out 70 pick herbs. Some herbs, as folSs
knew In those days, wouldn't DO any good as
medicine il they weren't picked At midnight.
So that was her idea but, Of course, Narinda
was scared back, aud bill behind the door. and
old Mrs. Bates went po,toring about looking
f,r her herbs, and up drove the carriage. She
didn't hear il but it so happened Graodfasher
Bates did, and up went his window.
"Who is there 2" beloved nc. aud jeremiah
Jones scared 20 DEATH and taking old Mrs.
Bates for Miranda, Jumped out. caught her 10y
The waist, crammcd her into the carriage, Sud
was driven away like wild.
Miranda saw il oil so I'D old Bates
Miranda shrickcd; old Bates beloved down
stairs he rushed aud met Miranda coming M.
Who was that at the gate 2" he yelled
"Oh. Grandpa " SCREAMED Miranda "JeTc-
yniah Jones hos carried Oh grandma"
Now ola Mrs Bates hal been very pretty.
nnd old Mr Bates had been very jealous, and
it all came back lie stormed and sworo and
eo, his pistols and woudu', listen to q word
Miranda said ald mcuutcd bis horse aud rode
after the carriage.
Inside it was pitch dark, and old Mrs Bates
was az deaf as post, and though, robbers bad
carried her Of
Jeremiah kept her wrapped up 10 her cloak
and called her bis sweetest. and bis duck aud
dove, and all ho Willie clio thought ho was
threatening to kill her. and didn't dare 20
speak, bu; only sobbed and cried and when
they 90, ont on the road picco chatter, clst
ter caiter came tue horses feet behind them,
and
Stop yelcl old Grandfather Bates
Stop demand that lady
jeremiah looked out Of the window.
Never :" eaid he
"Woll see" cried old Dates npd Cred E.
him The ball missed him.
Olive faster !" said Jeremiah 10 tho coach
nsn.
Then he pressed old Ms Bates to bis hcsrt.
Don't weep. Miranda" said he. " Hc
shall not take you from mo Oh. II Is veic
only daylight that nigh, see your face"
Il han't got soy money with me" soehci
the old lady. but he did not hear her
On they drove. faster and faster aud ancs
them rode the old man, faster and faster too.
AZ last, on The high road 10 lonely place.
with mol ody ucar and the pArsou's house niles
away. of came one Of the carriage whools. over
went tue carriage, oil on one side, and there
was an end Of the running awsy. As soon "a
he found there w1s % help for u, jeremiah
jumped out Of the carriage fhut the door on
poor old Grandmother Bates, aud stood out 10
the road with pistol in bis hand, ready 90
meet old Bates. Up came the old gentleman.
moro furious tlhn ever. and jumped down
from his horse, and stood facing bin with bis
pistol.
William 20 cries he, " ! demand that lady
"Sir," replied jeremiah, "she IS mine.
respect you, but will never yiold."
Wait a moment. Does she 20 with you
of boz free will u Don't dare 10 be %
yes sir, Of her free will aud choice"
rcr'I jeremiah "Do you tliuk me high
wayman. to carry oG lady against her wish p
Aud now they wcro Yelling 50 loudly that
oven deaf old Grandmother Bate. who bal
managed 20 get tho window down, heard every
wofi.
Out came her head over tho door. Tho
hood of the cloak had fallen oG. nud under il
was her cap. don't know what the moon
bad been doing before. bot now she shono
bright aud clear, aud everything WAS as plain
to bo seen rs at monday cut cano ihc Old
adys head into the moonlight
That's dreadful fGischood, said sho
did DOT come with him Il my own will 10
picked me up aud carried me % while ! was
picking herbs 10 thc garden for the lotion fJr
your rheumatism. squire. I've been scrcamIng
All the way. and hes been kissing ne, tho
wretch. TO think that this should hnyo
happened 70 ne a. my age, when I've been so
properly conducted al my lie 70
"Lerl have mercy on us - says jeremiah.
"Is that yen. Madam Batcs?"
Ho few 10 The carriage door and opened Il.
"Sir," be said % tie squiro. am willing
@ meet y0u whenever you please. You bsyo
the richt 20 challenge noe. I have insuiied
you; hayo insuliel this lady, but uuiulcn-
tioaally-unin;enGonaly. sir. | beg ten
thousand parlons. believed that had
carried 81 ibe granddaughter. Miss Miranda.
who had promised % be my wife
Asd inst then up Talilcd little gig. driven
BIZ Pelcg. the hired man, wi.h Miranda sitting
10 il.
"Oh. thank hanven. she cried, ono one Is
killed Oh. dear grandma oh. dear grandma.
forgive me. Jeremiab-bir. Joncs-l trust
you have ezplaiuod?'
Madam. have said jeremiah, bo~ios
low.
Now /. seemed 10 The young fylks that ;bo
end Of al things had come but il was Just The
happy 'ufning point.
Tho old gentleman liked joke, and here
Wa good one and The old laly was nightly
pleased for being taken for girl of eighteen.
Husband" che ssid, tucking Der hacd
under BIS arm. "wc were yOnng ourselves
once. and you know you would have run oG
with nc II you could not have hsd me other
wise
"S So would, indeed" said ;ho old squire.
You were twice as pretty as Miranda then, In
those days
Well. perhaps I was, said tie old lady
But now. rny dear, 70 please me. lot Mr.
Jones know yOu no longer refuse your consent
10 bis marriage with Miranda"
And with that tho Old squire offered bis
hand 70 Jeremiah. and there was wedding o,
the ball before Christmas came.
SCOT contains several valuable feriiiizing
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