Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-12-13

to turn in and help me. Minnie will
cry, nd then get mad, and then see
Joel, and there'll be wedding before
you know it. Don't you weaken when
the time comes"
Next day Joel came to the house
to bring back a bushel basket he had
borrowed. Minnie was upstairs and
Aunt Judith hiding behind the door,
80 it was left for Minnies mother to
say:
Joel, I've BEEN wanting to speak
to you for some time. don't think
you ought to come here as often as
you do"
"W-what T. gasped the lover, as
he turned very red.
"Your coming here 30 very often
keeps other young men away and
does not give Minnie fair chance.
Of course, she has no thought of mar
rying you, SO it isn't right to waste
her time on you"
Joel stared with open mouth, but
to save his neck he couldn't say a
word in reply. After making several
vain attempts he walked off. On his
way home be turned aside and climb
ed the fence to speak to Farmer Hen.
derson, who was working in his field.
Minnie's father had been posted and
was waiting his opportunity. Joel
had stammered out that it was a hot
day, and that corn seemed to be look
ing up, and that he was afraid that
one of his cows had the hollow-horn,
when Elisha finished killing up hill
of corn, and slowly said;
Joel, they say that there's going
to be heap of windmill and wire.
fence men along here this fall, and if
any of EN- want to board with me
for week or two l shall take EN- in.
"W-why p asked Joel.
"Well, there's Minnie, you know.
It's time she was thinking of getting
married. Some of those windmill
fellers are smarter than chain light
ming and well off to boot. I've always
kinder thought Id like one of them
for a son.in-law."
"Mr. Henderson" began poor Joel,
but he had to halt at that. The
change in the attitude Of the farmer
and his wife brought great fear to
his heart and started chills up and
down his back.
minnie amt looking for a hus-
band, you know. She don't have to
do that, but when the right Teller
comes along / guess a match will be
made. A piano agent the other day
asked me if she was engaged, and |
told him there wasn't anybody around
here good enough. Yes, it's pretty
hot day, Joel, and l shouldn't wonder
if tomorrer would be hotter"
Joel didn't do any work the rest Of
the afternoon. He simply sat and
thought. The result was that when
evening came he headed for the Hen.
dersou homestead. He was going to
ee Minnie and find ont what had
happened. 1t was Aunt Judith who
was at the gate when he came up, and
she didn't lose any time, saying:
"Young man, | guess you've heard
of me. I'm MinDie's aunt. Walk
along the road with me while talk
to you. You don't want to force
yourself upon family where you are
not wanted, do your"
Has something bappened2" he
anxiously asked.
"Well, Minnie's father and mother
have got their eyes open at last. She
has been praised so much that they
realize she can make good match.
I don't care to tell you what the sew
ing machine man said today. but you
can bet it was something nice. You
know you hain't just the sort Of man
the Hendersons want for son-in Law.
Minnie may like you in way, but
when it comes to real love that's an
other thing If was yon / wouldn't
waste any more time here"
"But / love Minnie r blurted out
Joel. as he was driven to desperation.
But if she don't love you what are
you going to do about it9 Better give
the thing right up and look for some
other girl. Going home, are you ?
Well. goodnight. Try and think I
have told you this for ycur own good. I"
Next day farmer's little girl
brought Minnie a note. and bals in
hour after receiving it she was down