The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-04-21
JOE cHICKwEeD's c0uRTsHIp.
BY LOUIS N. BURDITT.

the last touch to his weil-Oiled hair "iI
let this night pass without finding out
just how stand with Malinda Martin,
then Pm COW. The critter always acted
80 pesky skittish there's been no getting
around her. I like her and she knows It
and I'm inclined to think she likes more
than one string to her bow, and I amt
sure but she'd ship me any minute If
she could make better bargain. Maybe
I'm doing her an injustice, and 1 hope
am but she acts sometimes 'tarnally
like real coquette, and / don't know
what to make OF her. But to night" he
added, fitting an immensely high and
Immensely wide brimmed hat upon his
shining head, "to night I'll settle that
matter. I'll cross the Rubicon, if get
my boots full of water. Malinda an't
got bad speck, and [ might do worse
most anywhere else."
"Do tell fits come TO that ?" exclaimed
old Mrs. Chickweed, who had entered
the room unnoticed by her con, ip time
to hear his last sentence. "Well, I've
all along had notion TINT you was
amin in that ere direction"
Joe turned red from his eye. winkers to
his ankles, and looked very sheepish.
He worked very busily, too, for few sec-
onds, with brushing some imaginary dust
from place between the shoulders Of
his coat, which he couldn't reach but
he said nothing.
"There amt nothing to be shamed on,
joe" continued the loquacious old lady
apparently greatly pleased at making the
discovery she had, "and you spoke Gospel
truth when you aaid you might do worse
elsewhere. Malinda's nice GAL"
"Well," said Joe, gaining some courage
from his mothers manner, "I'm glad you
think so, tor Pm bound to make her nv
wife, if'-
"If wbat?" asked the old lady.
"Weil, if everything's favorable"
Don't you fear anything again it..
You just do your duty, Joe, and Malin-
da's yourn. Remember the farm"
Its fine farm, no mistake" said the
young man earnestly.
mo better farm of its size in the whole
country, than the widow Martin's," said
Mrs. Chickweed, in an emphatic tone.
mo. think not"
And then see how it is stocked. Two
yokes of the best steers in all these parts,
besides their two horses; sayin' nothin'
of the rest Of the critters. And Of course
they will all go with Malinda when the
widders dead, and before, too-for you'll
go right on to the farm ns soon as you
marry, and take charge of everything"
'lt's good opening, that's fact"
said Joe "but l put higher value on
Malnda than all the property"
"And well you should though the
farm and fixins aint to be despised."
"Oh, aint one 10 despise them" !
Joe laughed and left the room, and
soon nfter he left the house and made his
way as expeditiously as the gloom would
permit towards the residence Of the
widow Martin. A light was burning in
the front room, but the window curtains
were closely drawn, so that no could not
get view into the apartment as he passed
along the yard. He knocked ct the door
and was admitted by the widow in person
who after inquiring benevolcntly after
his health, ushered him into the parlor.
1t was already occupied by two PERSONS
Malinda and Reuben Sparks, the latter n
young man who recently reiurDed to
Springfield from California, and was
looked upon with special disfavor by the
young farmer.
Joe was welcomed by the young lady;
not 80 cordially as formerly, and by no
means so cordially as Joe thought his
duo He was greeted by Mr.. Sparks in
st of joking, condescending way, that
raised the ire inwardly. However, the
conversation that followed was apparent.
lly agreeable to all parties, and the even
ing wore away till the widow retired,
when MIR. Sparks intimntcd that it was
perhaps time for him to be returning, as
it was quite little walk to the village.
Malinda at once asserted that it was very
early indeed, and he should not think Of
leaving so soon whereupon Mr.. Sparks
was induced to remain a while longer,
and 6lr. Chickweed was secretly enraged
that Maiinds should be so taken up with
the company of n young sprig.
California became the topic Of the con.
versation, and Reuben Sparks shone
brilliantly iu his descriptive accounts of
the country, and what he had done thore.
"Then you wern't in the diggins ?" en-.
quired Joe, in response to something his
rival had uttered.
"By no MEANS" replied Sparks, .loftily.
II left digging to those that were used to
it. hadn't taste that way"
"Oh, then you stopped in town."
Certainly" e
Business, opose, first rate there?"
Yes. Ayoung man oftalent will soon
engage himself in profitable employ.
ment."
Then ! 'spec you must have done OK.
t!raordinary well" said Joe, in tone ho |
intended should be sarcastic.
oh" replied the other, laughing In q
meaning way, and winking an eye at the |
young lady, who appeared.to "take,o and |
enjoy it accordingly, cas- for that mattor
can't complain. think I improved |
my chances--I rather think did. No.
don't complain, by no means."
'Then why didn't you stay longer? |
You warn't gone hnta short time. You
should have staid G year or two more and |
made yourself independent"
Perhaps. OF course I can't tell YOU |
the exact amount made--that, think |
is quite unnecessary" III.
"Oh, quite
"And perhaps, too, there were attrac. !
tions, in this part of the world, as allur-
ing as gold."
He looked knowingly ut Malinda an !
he spoke, and gave her another wink.
which that young laay seemed to relish.
though sho b. shed and appeared won.
derfully embarrassed for moment. Joe |
noticed what occurred, and didn't at all |
fancy the course the affair seemed to be |
taking. He Knew that he should feel !
and appear peculiarly savage il he re.
mRineG murh longer, and sc hs h:a.ed |
that 1t was about tine for him to be |
going; and what served TO enrace him
more than all else, Malinda appeared to |
DO OF The same mind, for she offered no |
objection. So ha took his hat and depart-
ed, with tirmness in his step and bitter
nesa in hiB heart
~ don't like the looka ~ th;y,oa afTal, -