Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-11-17

insinuotions and rather enjoyed Bidly's
trepidation
"See here, father" h. said roguishly,
inst you pick me out wife aud see what
will come Of il.
The only girl know Of worth having,
wouldb't have you dare soy--would you,
BiddW'' Joel said grumblingly, but turn
ing to the girl.
Anson was smiling maliciously. Bridget
o Flynn had kept Barbic' lover at a most
tantalizing distance all this time. lie was
taking his revenge now.
Making desperate effort, Biddy rallied
her confused senses to say, with con,idcra-
bic self possession
"Shure, sir, an it isn't mcscf that'll be
afther havin any mon till I'm asked. "
''Biddy, will you marry me?" asked An
son, gravely extending his hand
81 will that, now, said Biddy promptly,
putting her hand in his, while Joel came
near choking with amazement. 1t was too
late to secede, however, whether he had
really wished such thing or not, as they
soon made him understand. He went out
Of doors presently and privately pinched
himself to ascertain if he was in his senses
or not. Seeing the two tanding by the
window in close conversation soon after, he
crept with the same laudable intention to-
wards them, under cover of the bushes that
grew by the house,
"Now, Barbie, Anson was saying, with
a smile, what is to be done next? /
must say that you have managed wonder
! fully so far; but what do you suppose he
will say when he knows you are not Biddy
at all Z
Not Biddy at all o. screamed Joel Shell
] IL 4 4
! he knew not what, as he started out Of his
covert
There stood Biddy the white frill of hel
close cap as immense as ever. She laughed
though when She saw him. and deliberately
taking off her cap, shook her bright curl
all about her face, and reaching toward him
her little hand, said, archly
'Shure, sir, an ye won be after hatin
a poor girl because her name is Barbie Hal
stead instead of Biddy O. Flynn
''You-you Professor Halstead's gal :
Professor Halstead is my father, sir,
said Barbie in her natural tones.
"What's that ?"
Barbie repeated it.
= And you re not Irish ~
"Niver bit ~
The old man stood moment, cloud
gathering in his face.
'Well Anson, he said, rather surlily
you We outwitted me again-much goot
may it do you. You'd better get out tn,
horses now and take Halstead' girl home
He must want to see her by this time. -
Yes, sir, ~ and Anson colored with min
! gled anger and amusement.
Barbie did not change countenance, how.
ever Extending that pretty hand of her.
again. she said sweetly, You'll shake
hands with me sir ?'
joel Shellcnbarger turned back and gave
his hand awkwardy. The girl took it il
both hers, bending her bright arch face to
wards him, and saying, II shall come bacl
some time, sir. Would you be glad to Sc,
me 2"
Joel hemmed and hawked, and stammer
ed out at last, Yes, yes; come back. Bid
dy-l mean Miss O'Flym-i mean Mis-
"Barbie," suggested the girl, quietly
Yes, come back and the sooner tn
better. There now, Anson make the mo:
on it T.
Barbic did come back in a very few week.
too, and nobody was gladder to see her tha
old Joel, though he was little shy at frs
of Professor Halstead's girl. She soo
made him forget, however. everything saw
that she was Anson wife and the way h,
humored the sly puss to sundry grants o
money, refurnishing and repairs &c,
couldn't begin to tell you But I'd lkt
you to see the Shellenbarger place, sine,
Barbie has gone to live there.