The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-04-21

entire satisfaction of all parties. The
a1air TOOK place In the morning, at the
residence ofthe bride, and at the hour of
noon all the guests, with the exception
OF Joe Chickweed, departed. WHY he
remained SO long, it puzzled the newly
married to surmise, as they had not SUP.
posed be would be present at all. Joe
took it very easily, however, and seemed
quite embarrassed by the occasional ban.
tering ofthe happy Sparks.
"S'pose," said Joe, addressing himself
to the newly made husband, as they
were assembled in the parlor together,
II s'pose you'll take up your residence
in the village right away-buy you u
nice house and live fashionably 2"
30, no." replied Mr.. Sparks "don't
know rs shall"
what Well, now, / calc'late YOU
don't have any idea Of settling on q farm
you amt used TO that work, you
know"
Don't know but may" said Sparks,
assuming careless air and tone Coming
on hot weather, you know, and living in
town is bore in Summer. Yes, think
/ shall try country life for while. Amt
in the best of health, and farm life 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 10 your benefit to work on
farm for a while; and we'll make it as
comfortable for you as we can"
Mr.. Sparkle looked at him. They then
looked ut one another and laughed.
"No doubt" remarked Mr. Sparks,
you'll make very agreeable neighbor
ouronoi1o ;rIooI
"Oh, wc'll be nearer than neighbors q
good sight--of course we will" said Joe.
glancing with look of intelligence to.
wardr the former widow.
X gain Mr.. and Mrs. Sparks glanced
at one another, but this time they
didn't laugh.
"What do you mean?" they asked,
simultaneously.
"Oh, excuse me; forgot that you
didn't know what had transpired. The
fact is. the widow here and myself, taking
mutual liking 10 each other, were mar.
ricd last nightl We should have Invited
you TO the wedding, but we knew you
we're engaged
"What married |" cried Mr.. Sparks.
springing to his feet, while look Of hor.
| ror oyerspread his features. His wife ant
pale as ghost, utterly unable to speak
word.
Certainly, married." said Joe, cool
ly.
"Is this so?p he inquired, turning to
the late widow
replied.
''Thcn have been swindled-imposed
upol-dccoivcd. And you knew Of this
alHc,, and led me onv' he continued in a
violent tone, addressing his wife. "You
worked to net re, while this internal
cheat gets all tho property"
"No-its not 80 |" exclaimed Malinda,
bursting into tearJ. 81 knew nothing of
it; and thought you married me for my
tended to have enough Of that yourself"
Reuben Sparks smiled sickly and
scornful smile.
It's even H6 thought. His moneys
so deep in the bank that he'll never be
able to dig it out" remarked Joe.
You scheming rascal p' gasped Sparks,
looking as if it would be pleasant to eat
him entirely up body aud bones.
"Oh, fire away it don't hurt any I; and
I've got long lease Of the farm.
"You scoundrel!"
"And the horses and steers"
ooh, you miserable cheat!
and the fixins generally
"Fool"
And moreover" continued Joe, asst
ming a more sober and sterncr, 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 a snug little property,
palming yourself off az man of means
TO accomplish your end. You are the real
schemer, but part of your scheme has
Jailed. Take my advice, and it will be
we'll with you. Use your wife as you
should-go work like man-ahd
strive to be an honest one And finally.
don't letme hear you make use ofany more
such expressions as you just now bestowed
on me or I'll thrash you within an inch of
your life p Remember" added Joe,
giving him q snake, ns terrier would
rat, "you're my son now, 'cording to
law, and you must have slight respect
for your fathgr."
Rueben Sparks seemed to come at once |
to his senses, and after little reflection
concluded that the advice he had re-
ceived was, upon the whole, the best |
he could net upon; and many years
thereafter Joe Chickweed looked upon
him as most valuable assistant.