Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-03-24

Joe made a special proviso in his proposal
that they should be married privately the day
before the marriage of Sparks with the wild
owls daughter, and it should be kept secret
till that wedding had taken place. To this
the widow readily agreed, although it was
hard task for her to restrain the enjoyment
she experienced and prevent the secret being
discovered.
The evening before the nuptials of Sparks
and Malinda at length arrived, and all the
preparations for the ceremony on the ensuing
day were completed. When the darkness had
fairly set in, while Malinda was so occupied
with the conversation of her soon-to.be hus
band as to be completely oblivious to all else
Mrs. Martin cautiously left the house, and
meeting Joe near at hand, she fastened with
him to the residence of the Chickweeds. The
minister, who had been duly admonished to
secrecy, was in attendance and in less than
half an hour thereafter, Joe was married
man, and the no longer widow was on her
way back to her home-parting from Joe
with a single, but enormous kiss, with which
he was content to satisfy himself, considering
what was to follow from so doing on the NOR
row.
The wedding passed off next day to the en-
tire satisfaction of all parties. The affair
took place in the morning. at the residence OF
the bride, and at the hour of noon all the
guests, with the exception of Joe Chickweed,
departed. Why he remained so long, it puz:
zled the newly married to surmise, as they had
not supposed he would be present at all. Joe
took it very easily, however, and seemed quite
embarrassed by the occasional bantering of
the happy Sparks. -. -,
"Spose," said Joe, addressing himself to
the newly made husband, as they were as
sembled in the parlor together, IL spose
you'll take up your residence in the village
right away-buy you a nice house and live
fashionably ?"
20, no." replied Mr.. Sparks-"dou't know
as l SHALL"
"Wbat! Well, now. calc'late you don't
have any idea of settling on farm?-you
amt used to that work, you know"
Don't know but l may" said Sparks
assuming a careless air and tone; coming
on hot weather, you know, and living in
town is a bore in Summer. Yes, | think |
shall try country life for while. Amt in the
best of health, and farm lite may improve
me-"
WELL" responded Joe, deliberately, "can't
say that I'm sorry you're going to stay with
US. think myself that it would be to your
benefit to work on farm. for while and
we'll try to make it as comfortable for you
as we can."
Mr.. Sparks looked at him. They then
looked at one another and laughed.
"No doubt" remarked Mr. Sparks, "you'll
make very agreeable neighbor-very agree
able indeed"
"Oh, we'll be nearer than neighbors good
sight--of course we will" said Joe, glancing
with look of intelligence towards the former
widow.
Again Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glanced at
one another, but this time they didn't laugh.
"What do you mean2" they asked, stimuli
taneously.
"Oh, excuse me I forgot that you didn't
know what had transpired. The fact is, the
widow here and myself, taking mutual
liking to each other, were married last night
We should have invited you to the wedding,
but we knew you were engaged'-
"What married !'' cried Mr.. Sparks spring.
ing to his feet, while look of horror over.
spread his features His wife sat pale as
ghost, utterly unable to speak word.
"Certainly, married" said Joe coolly.
"Is this so % he inquired, turning to the
late widow.
"You may rely upon all he says" she re.
piled.
"Tben i have been swindled-imposed
upon-deceived. And you knew of this also,
and led me on !" he continued in a violent
tone, addressing his wife. you worked to
net me, while this Internal cheat gets all the
property"
"No-its not SOL" exclaimed Malinda,
bursting into tears. 81 knew nothing of it;
and thought you married me for myself and
not for my money-you pretended to have
enough of that yourself"
Reuben Sparks smiled sickly and scorn-
full SMILE
"It's even as I thought. His moneys so
deep in the bank that he'll never be able
to dig it out" remarked Joe.
"You scheming rascal!' gasped Sparks,
looking as if it would be pleasant to eat him
entirely up body and bones.
"Oh, fire away! it don't hurt any; and
I've got long lease of the farm.
"You scoundrel!'
"And the horses and steers"
"Oh, you miserable cheat"
"And the 6xins generally"
"Fool p
"And moreover" continued Joe, assuming
more sober and sterner tone, and grasping
Sparks firmly by the collar as he spoke
"among other things, I've got word or two
of advice for you. You married Malinda in
the expectation of stepping into snug little
property, palming yourself off as man of
means to accomplish your end. You are
the real schemer, but part of your scheme
has failed. Take my advice, and it will be
we'll with you. Use your wife as you know
you should-go to work like man-and
strive to be an honest one And finally,
don't let me hear you make use of any more
such expressions as you just now bestowed on
me, or III thrash you within an inch of your
life !" Remember" added Joe, giving him
shake, as terrier would a rat, "you're my
son now, 'cording to law, and you must have
slight show of respect for your father"
Reuben Sparks seemed to come at once to
his senses, and after little reflection con-
cluded that the advice he had received was,
upon the whole, the best he could act upon !;
and for many years thereafter Joe Chickweed
looked upon him as most valuable assistant.
WHY CAN NOBODY READ WELL?-It is