The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-04-13
Biddy'> Biunders.
BY VIRGINIA DE FOREST.

"Otl, dear" said my dear friend, Lizzie
Evans. bursting into my room one morning
with . most despairing look on her pretty
face "Oh. dear I am tired of playnz
teacher and mistress to q raw Irish girl, wht
does not know the difference between bear
and pumpkin; and l have come to you tt
have long chat. and try to drive off th'
blues. Oh. Annie. darling" she continued
housekeeping, orif you do, don't hire an Irisl
girl who has TO larn.'"
why. Lizzie" said l, "what is the mat
ter? Is the girl stupid?"
"Ill tell you what she did to-day. and
leave you to judge of her talents. Last even
ing. l made up quantity of breakfast cake
for this morning They were the kind moth
er taught me to make. and she told me they
required long baking, SO. l said to Biddy
BE sure you put this the first thing in the
morning. oh, yes, marm; it's understand
ing you, | am; the first thing Happy in
the deluson that for once she understood me
left the cakes in her care. This morning
when we came to breakfast. Frank said .Liz
lie. who could have made these cakes?' Il
did. said 1; amt they good9' They are
perfectly raw said he. holding one up; and
so they were. So rang for Biddy, and ask
ed her why she had not baked the cakes
Sure, marm,' said my bright pupil, L did
Jest IS yourself tould me. Faith, put the
cakes in the oven jest as soon as l got in the
kitchen, but l was afther taking them off as
soon IS the fire began to be Burning, for fear
they'd be afther scorching.'"
"a bright pupil indeed" said laughing.
You'll have to teach her everything"
Everything! That puts me in mind Of
another blunder. When she came. it was un-
derstood that was to instruct her in all the
service l should need Of her. The morning
after she came. l left her safe in the kitchen,
and went into the psrlor to practice. A noise
behind me attracted my attention, and turn
ing. saw Biddy sitting on the sofa. appar
emily perfectly At home. Why, Biddy. said
|. what are you doing up here?' Faith.
was listening to you, marm.' Go basi. .o rb..
p.sior - s.sin s1nn Unless S I send for you oh,
you'll be after sending word when ye want
me?' Certainly said 1; and Biddy wen,
out About an hour afterwards. | heard the
piano. and going down. found Biddy seated
on the piano-stool. humping (no other word
expresses the energy with which she struck
the keys). while look Of great satisfaction
was visible on her face why, Biddy.' said
|, i told YOU not to come into the parlor
again Sure. We promised to be sending tor
me. and troth. ye clean forgot it; SO, |
thought I'd Jest thry the thing till ye'd come
to tache me- Teach you?' said |. 'Troth,
and ain't l to be af.her larning everything;
and amt it playing the tunes III be in a
wake?''
'For so young bride and housekeeper,
yoa certainly have had some experience"
said l. laughing.
Are you ever coming to see me-" said
Lizzie. after we had spent some time chatting.
you have never seen my Green Erin. as
Frank calls her
"Be sure, shall pay Biddy visit. said
/. ~ we parted
About week after. met Lizzie in the
street, and she told me that one of the "entry
thieves" as they are called. had come to the
house while she was out, and under pretence
Of waiting ill her return. had taken away all
the small paror ornaments while Biddy was
in the kitchen 1T is so provoking to lose
things so.' said Lizzie; land many of these
things | valued because they were bridal
gifts. However, impressed it upon Biddy's
'erdant mind, that the next time people of
that kind called when was out. she was 10
tell them 10 come again, and never leave
them alone in the parlor. She represents
THIS thief AS quite respectable looking wo
man.
morning or two after this conversation.
| started TO spend the day with Lizzie, accord
ing to our agreement. / wen, quite early in
the forenoon. A girl. whom knew must be
the .'ereen Erin'' of Lizzie's stories, opened
the door -
"ls Mrs. Evans in?" said l.
NO; it's at market she is. Youth have to
be coming again
'oh. no"' said I. ..I'u wait ,iIl she re.
turns
mo. indaie. you womb cried Biddy, OBJ
ssrucang my entrance by placing her stout
person in the doorway.
why. what do YOU mesn,'' said |. very
much astonishei.
Il name We II have 10 clare out. snd come
back again, ii you re wanting to say Mrs. ".
ans. Oh. We needn't flare up III not budre
aainch: troth. I'm knowing my business
Aher much arguing. and some ,insolenee
on Bldly's part. l managed to effect an en-
trance. Bidiy followed me into the paslor
and seated herself directly opposite me. Con
Guiding that she would kave the room as
sooa as she had satisfied her curiosity, for
thought she wanted TO find out who was,
took up book TO read till Lizzie came in
"oh, | thought sor' cri, i Biddy. snatch
ias The book from me. jest be afther kap-
ing your hands TO yourself. l know wha;
You're up to-"
uise me that book Instantly" said |. an
sriiy, but with feeling of terror. for had
arrived at the conclusion ,hat the girl was
crazy
No. III not" said she: land ii you're al
as MIS- lsans. wish ye'd Jest come into
n'chen and wai.. for I've got scrubbng
rsa' as' and rs not sitting here the whole day
a De. looking afther YOU