The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-03-10
McGREGOR IOWA. WEDNESDAY, MARCH TO- 1863

who is it p Iasked; but I knew vel
that being suited was all nonsense.
I: The Phiphers are all going to Bos
ton,' said John ; and they want to fnt
a place for person who has been living
with them. She's sort Of decayed gen
tlewoman.'
"A what 2 exclaimed.
"A person who has seen better days |
explained John and q first-rate hand
so the Phiphers say. told them tc
send her around this afternoon to speal
to YOU
And sure enough Mrs. Pincher-tha
was her name--came that very day
According to her own account, she coult
do every thing, and little more, and 81
engaged her She brought her thing.
next morning, and installed herself viii
much ceremony in my humble kitchen
I groan at the emembrance-it was
wash-day.
Excuse me, Miss Psalter + remarked
Mrs. Pincher: but where am to
find the sody?'
| The soda being out I suggested
the propriety Of Mrs. Pincher
going to the corner to procure q fresh
supply.
Excuse me, Miss Psalter = replied
Mrs. Pincher but errands could not
run, though the washin' 1 could do,
knowin', full we'll, that lady is wishful
to have her clothes done up partickeler,
and ironed we'll likewise--havin' bin
partickeler about my own when lived
in luxury and style, afore Mr.. Pincher
run of, unbe eknowned to me. his lawful
welded nuptial spouse, with Arrabella
Bobkins. designin 'milliner in the upper
floor. We was slaves to fashion, me and
Mr.. Pincher, and oysters was unlimited:
as for porter, we had it with our dinner
and our supper likewise, though I only
took it as medicine. and never as a be-
veridge and Mr.. Pincher was abste-
merisness itself. My family quarreled
with me on account of my espouging
Mr.. Pincher; aud I was kimpelled to
elope onto the shed, out of tho back
winder, at the hour of midnight. We
was united in feelins. excep, when he
would spile the carpet with his muddy
boots. and world me out of nv life, until
Arrabella Bobkins seducted ofhim away
for which wonder at her imperti-
nence =
I sent Clara for the soda, and. in pro.
cess of time, the thing was finished. -
But Mrs. Pincher's gentiiity stood in
the way Of either dish washing or knife
cleaning; and she demonstrated about
the tins, and refused to empty the slop-
pail. On Sunday, she arrayed herself
in dress of state. and seated herself
by the basement window.
Excuse me, Mrs. Psalter! !" she re-
piled. in answer to my inquiry about
breakfast; "but, though in reducted
circumstances. Sunday does not
work !"
So 1 got breakfast myself The fol-
lowing morning Psalter paid Mrs. Pin
cher, and dismissed her.
Next we had a little nigger. She
was very willing to sweep the front
steps. but she didn't like to do anything
else. When l sent her to fix the fire,
she always came back in about ten min
utes with the announcement:
"Plaase, missus. fire won't burn p
If / sent her of All errand, she STAY
ed half an hour. l was plagued half
out of my senses before she went and,
after she had gone, I found that she
had invariably had all the groceries set
down. and spent the money i'll green ap-
pies and molasses candy.
Our next plague came in the shape of
a young girl named Arraminta. whose
mother was washwoman residing near
the corner of our street. Arramin,a
was belle on small scale. The gro
GERS clerks were all fascinated by her
eyes, and the milkman worshipped her.
Youths of the lower order Of society
prowled around our area, and I caught
frequent glimpses of coat tails vanish
ing through the door Of the basement
entry. Still. the girl was handy, and
kept her. One night-quite damp,
cold night-after we had retired.
heard the most dreadful footing proceed
ing from the front pavement !; and, after
a short prelude. avoice, evidently Irish.
joined rich brogue to the instrumental
inAiction. The words were as follows /:
"when first persaved ye,
| My heart it resaved ye,
Hiding ye deep in its innermost core;
| For there nivver ony
SO bithe or so bonny
As the girl my heart worships-my Minty ashtore!'
"Come in from the window, my
dear!" said Psalter "you'll catch cold
to certainty"
But was determined to see who it
was. and pretended not to hear. He.
whoever it might be, was sitting astride
the area railing. with an accordeon in
his hand, and his eye cast sentimentally
toward the attic window. He now be-
gan another verse
| yourself Il sound slapin',
| While an here wa,ia',
Under yer windy, singin' yer praise;
| For nisver sw ony
| So blithe or 20 bonny
As the girl that I'll worship the whole ofm dsys!"
lis it one of your old lovers. Emma -
said Psalter. laughing.
"I'm sure don't see how you can
laugh !" l said. "It's disgraceful p
The swain continued
| eva 1t Michael O'Grady,
Or Path -a-rick Brady,
A court.n my darlint, young Minty ashtore!
By St. Pathlick and thunder!
| MeseH wouldn't wonder
But my 6st would be knocking him down the door'.
"Isn't it shameful. Psaller ?" ! asked
But Psal1er only laughed.
| "Shure, il ye'd be conssntin',
| Yo'd not DO repentin'
Tho day that wa maxim ye Mrs O'More;
For = jug full O. viii key,
A pig white and frisky,
| And plenty Of Praties yen have to tho fo,sv'
| The enume ration of these induce
ments TO ma; rimony having come to an
l A