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

consent to have me yet, if lose no time il
asking her. I'll try it, VOW will: III g
over again tomorrow, and have the thinl
settled"
And having come to this conclusion, h
hurried forward, and soon after was dreamln!
of Malinda Martin, the widow, himself, ant
an infinite number of Reuben Sparks, wh'
were endeavoring to chase him up steel
hill, and beating his brains out with bar
of California gold.
Mrs. Chickweed was most anxious mex
morning to learn from her son the result o
his mission to the widows, but Joe was 81
lent and pensive; avoiding his mothers eye
and keeping away from the house as much
as possible. Late in the evening, he care
fully dressed himself in his best suit, ant
with look of determination stamped upor
his features, he once more set out to visit tht
tickle Malinda.
He found her at home and alone.
"Hope you spent an agreeable evening
Yesterday" remarked Joe, after he had pass
ed the usual compliments, and seated himself
near the young lady.
"Oh, yes, I did, I assure you" was the re-
ply.
"Mr. Sparks should say is very enter
tanning young man."
Joe didn't think any thing Of the kind
but quite the contrary.
"He is, indeed" responded Malinda.
Joe looked anything but pleased at this
enconium on his rival, and sat for some mo-
ments in utter silence. At length he turned
to the young lady and spoke: -.
81 came here last evening"" he said, with
the intention of speaking to you on particu
lar subject, but l found you so engaged that
| determined to call again to night, and So
so"-
"Here you are" said Malinda, smiling at
his embarrassment.
Eyes, here am. And now that I'm here,
I'll tell you what 1 have come for. You
know | love you. I told you RS much more'n
once, and I've fattered myself that wern't
Indifferent to you. But now wish you to
tell me if you really love me in return, and
if I may hope to make you my wife. Will you
marry me ?"
Joe having arrived at this important ques'
ton, looked tenderly and appealing into her
face, and breathessly awaited her reply.
She colored slightly and bent her eyes to the
ground.
"You are quite right" she said, "in sup
posing that you were not Indifferent to me,
for regard you very highly.
"Then all my fears have been groundless, -
uttered Joe, exultingly.
"But," continued the lady, 81 cannot very
we'll grant your wish regarding
"W hat" cried Joe, his countenance sud-
denly changing.
81 cannot very we'll marry you"
"And why cant you? Id like to know
what's to hinder your marrying me if you
think enough of mel"
"There is one reason in particular"
"What is that p
"I'm engaged to another"
Joe turned pale.
Sparks" he cried-tell me, is It Sparks ?"
"Well, and if it is"-
II know it. Blast him I know what he
is'after."
Il don't know that Mr.. Sparks has acted
in any way as he should not" remarked the
young lady, warmly.
: He's cheatin' william" replied Joe, in.
dignantly.
"You don't know him. "He's nothing Of
the kind"
"It's you that don't know him; but you
will, before long. I've been deceived, and
amt afraid to say 80" continued he, snatch.
ing up his hat. "Its the money he pretends
to have that's lost me wife; but when you
want to touch it, just as like as not you won't
be able"
He rushed from the house as he uttered
these words, and hurried homeward. He
found his mother still up, and was eagerly
nterrogated by her as to the luck he had
met with. He told her all, and little condo.
lence was she enabled to offer him in return.
For two or three days following, Joe Chick.
weed said very little and thought much. One
morning, he met his mother with smiling
face and a sort of triumph in his look. The
old lady was somewhat surprised at the sud-
den change in her sons manner.
"Why, what on airth's the matter now,
Joe? said she; "hope you amt going to 60
crazy"
"Not by long shot," he replied. II amt
quite as big too as that.
"Then, what ails you?"
"Oh! I've got it all arranged at last-I've
got 'em now y
"Who? What?"
"Why, Malinda and that vagabond, Reu-
ben Sparks. Ha ha! III surprise him."
"Oh it's all right" said Joe, laughing.
"Ill fix the sneaking critter"
"But how-how, Joe? Can't you speak
out? What's got in the boy ?" cried the old
lady, dying with curiosity to know what was
his plan.
"Well, now I will tell you all about it" be.
gan Joe. assuming a more sober tone.
"Well, l just wish you would"
"You know the widder has always favored
my keeping company with Malinda?"
"Well."
"And do believe sheis desperate down on
that feller, SPARKS, coming into her family"
Eyes"
~ "In that case she wouldn't very willingly
lgt her property 60 into his hands,
"But 'cording to the will Of old Mr.. Martin,
the property amt to 60 out of her hands till
she is dead"
"Just so-but Sparks would have all the
benefit. And now I'm coming to the point
It's just there I'm going to floor Reuben
Sparks"
"Well, do let me hear"
"The widder Martin, herself, amt bad
looking woman" Joe remarked, in sort OF
mysterious voice, glancing up suddenly into
his mothers face.
"No; but what's that got to do with the
matter p replied the old lady, impatiently.
"And she amt very old, neither" continued
he, with the same air.