The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-07-17
No.. 2

other young men away and does not
give Minnie fair chance. or course
she has no thought of marrying 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 word
In reply. After making several vain
attempts he walked off. On his way
home he turned aside and climbed the
tence to speak 10 Farmer Henderson,
working in his field. Minnies father
had been posted and was waiting for
his opportunity. Joel had stammered
out that it was hot day and that
corn seemed to be looking up and that
he was afraid that One OF his cows
had the hollow horn. when Elisha
finished hilling up hill of corn and
slowly said:
Joel. they say that there's going to
| be a heap of windmill aud wire fence
men along here this fall, aud If any
J of 'em want to board with me for a
week or two shall take 'em in"
"W-why?" asked joel.
well. there's Minnie. you know.
It's time she was thinking Of getting
married Some of those windmill fel-
lers are smarter than chain lightning
and well off to boot. I've always kind
er thought I'd like one of them for Il
SOn-in-law."
"Mr. Henderson, began poor Joel,
I,,t h., oN hn hn han
in the attitude of the farmer and his
wife brought great fear to his heart
and started chills up and down bis
back
minnie amt looking for a husband,
you know. She don't have to do that,
but when the right fe!ler comes along
| guess Il 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 purity hot day, Joel,
and | shouldn't wonder if tomorrow
would he 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
derson homestead. lie was going to
see Minnie and find out what had hap
pened 1t was Aunt Judith who was
at the gate when he came up and she
didn't lost any time, saying:
Young man. | guess you've heard
Of me. I'm Mlnnie's aunt. Walk along
the road with me while | talk to you.
You don't want to force yourself upon
a family where you are not wanted,
do you?'
Has something happened?" he anx-
iously asked
"Well, Nlinnie'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. l
don't care to tell you what the sewing
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 you l wouldn't
waste any more time here"
But | love Minnie!' blurted out
JOEL as he was driven to desperation
But if she don't love you what are
you going to do about it? Better give
the thing right up and look for some
other girl Going home, are you? Well,
good night. Try and think | have told
you this for your own good"
Next day Il farmers little girl
brought Minnie Il note, and half an
hour after receiving it she was down
in the hickory grove talking with Joel
When she returned to the house she
looked pale and acted in nervous
manner. but she was not questioned.
Soon after supper she pleaded head
ache and went to her room, and Aunt
Judith and Elisha and Hannah wink
ed at each other At o'clock the
house was quiet. At 10 Aunt Judith
entered the spare bedroom. where hus-
band and wife sat waiting, and said:
"Well. it's over with. Joel came to
the gate and whisted softly ten min
uteS ago, and Minnie. who was all
dressed. slipped downstairs and Joined
him. He had a buggy down by the
barnyard gate"
"And-and"- gasped the mother as
she began to sob
Hannah Henderson, don't be
goose. They'll drive to the preachers
and be married and be back here be-
fore the breakfast dishes are washed.
JoeIs got wife, Minne's got hus-
band, and you've got a son-in-law, and
that's all there is to it."