The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-03-30
THE RUNAWAY MATCH.

Many years ago there dwelt il
the town of P, comely anc
graceful maiden, who had an ugly
and cross-grained but wealthy faith
er. Minnie, was Danforth's only
child. The old man was sturdy
farmer, and was. estimated to b.
worth full $4,000.
The sparkling eyes and winning
ways of Minnie Danforth made bel
suitors numerous; but her father
was particular, and none succeeded
in making headway against him OF
her.
In the meantime Minnie had a
true and loyal lover in secret. His
name was Joe Walker, a farmer
employed by old Danforth who had
entrusted Joe with the management
of his place for two or three years
But a very excellent farmer and
good manager was the plain unas'
suming but good looking Joe Walk
er. He was only %, and he fell il
love with joyous Minnie Danforth
his employers only daughter. Min.
ME returned his love earnestly
truly and frankly. and promised to
wed him at any favorable time.
Things went on merrily for q
while, but old Danforth discovered
certain glances and attentions be
tween them which excited his anger
and suspicious. Very soon after Joe
learned the old mans mind indi.
rectly in regard to his future dis
posal of Minnie's hand, and he
quickly saw that his case was a
hopeless one, unless he resorted to
stratagem.
By agreement, an apparently set
tied GOODNESS was observed by the
lovers towards each other for five
or six months, and the father saw
with satisfaction, that his previous
suspicious and fear had all been
premature. Then, by mutual con-
sent, Joe absented himself from the
house at evening; and night after
night, for three months, did he dis
appear as soon as his work was fin
ished, to return home only at late
bedtime. This was unusual and
old Danforth determined to know
the cause of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he
was in love with a mans daughter.
but that the old man refused to en-
tertain his application for the young
lady's hand.
This was capital-just what old
Danforth most desired. This salts
fed him that he had made mis-
take in regard to his own child, and
he would help to get Joe married,
and thus stop all further suspicious
or trouble at home. So be said:
swell, Joe, is she buxom lass?"
eyes, sir" said Joe. THAT is,
other folks say so. I'm not much
of a judge"
"And you like her?"
Eyes, sir, yes"
"Then marry her." said old Dan
forth.
Il can't; the father objects" i.
"Pooh," continued Danforth, "let
him do SO; what need you care?"
Run away with her,"
"Elope?"
"Yes. Off with her at once! II
the gal will marry you, all right.
Marry her and bring her here. You
shall have the cottage at the foot
of the lane; I'll furnish it for you ;
your wages shall be increased, and
the old man may like it or not as
he will"
"But-"
"Give me no butts Joe. Do as
l bid you; go about it at once,
and"
"You will stand by me"
Eyes, to the last. l know you,
Joe; you're good fellow, a good
workman, and will make anybody
good husband"
"The old fellow will be so mad,
though"
"Who cares, l say? Go Oh qui-
etly, but quickly"
Tomorrow night, then," said
Joe.
"Yes," said Danforth.
"I'll hire Clover's horse"
mo you shan't."
"No?"
II say no. Take my horse-the
best one-young Morgan; he'll
take you off in fine style, in the
new pheton."
Exactly"
"As soon as you're spliced, come
right here and a jolly time we'll
have of it at the old house."
"But the old man might drop in
on u.s." :.
"Bah he is an old fool; whoever
he is; he don't know your good
qualities, Joe, as we'll as do. Don't
be afraid. A faint heart, you know,
never won fair lady"
1.-The old man will be astounded.