The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-12-07

| from the kitchen for fear of betraying
Barbie's secret, which he would not have
1on1 Cor a great deal.
1t was several hours before he could
return to the house, his father having
Joined him, and upon one pretext and
another detained him When at last they
entered together, kitchen and sitting
room, both of which had been in mos
lntiely ate when they left them, had
undergone such a remarkable renevating
process that old joel drew back at first
thinking he had set foot in somebody
else's house instead of his own. Supper
was smoking upon the table-such sup
per as cid Joel, at least, had not seen in
months To crown all, Mrs Shelenbar-
ger was sitting proppsd with pillows, in
a great easy chair, and looking wondrous-
| ly esntented, and with reason-the poor
lady had not had a weman's hand about
her before since her illness. They lived
in such an isolated, iuhospitable manner
that very few of their neighbors even
knew that Mrs. Shelenbarger was not as
well as usual. Biddy, as she called her
self, had tidied the poor lady up in a
wonderful manner.
joel Shelen nbarger sat down to the
daintily spread table, and made most
hearty and keenly relished meal, glancing
askance at Biddy mean while. Anson,
strange to say, said very little, and he
watched Biddy askance too. as.,4.5
This was only the beginning of reforms
this daring girl instituted. First, how
ever, as much for her own peace of mind
as Ansons-knowing that mother and son
we're fast friends and always of one opin-
ion--sne told her secret to Mrs. SheiIen-
barser, and fairly wheedled the good lady
into approval 1t is true that she shook
her head at first and locked wondrously
shocked. But it was so charming to have
those little soft hands futtering about her
and to see such brightness and comfort
spring up around, that she could not fer
her own sake, help countenancing, as
much as silence could, Biddy's mysteri-
Gus presence.
| havn't time to give you all the par
ticulars, but having made so good be-
ginning, with true Irish facility, Biddy
established herself in very shert time
completely in the good graces of the old
men. He had lurking likeness for neat
ness and order, and Mrs. Shelenbarger-
poor lady-wasn very tidy housekeep-
er. Under the new reign order grew out
of chaos; the house seemed In holiday
garb all the time, and an atmosphere of
social cheerfulness pervaded everything.
One morning -Biddy had said some
thing about leaving the day before--the
old man ended a grumbling complaint of
Arson with, 4 never see no good come
of eGdication yet-If it hadn't a been for
that college business you might have ia
ken liking to a sensible girl, and she to
you. He glanced at Biddy as he spoke.
she turned scarlet, and come near drop
ping the dish she was holding. 1t was
not the first time Arson had heard such
insinuations, ard he rather enjoyed Bid
dys trepidation
See here he said, roguishly, just you
pick me out a wife, and see what will
come of it.
The only girl 1 know of, worth having
wouldn't have you, l dare say-would
you, Biddy?' Joel said grumbling, but
suddenly, turning to the girl.
Anson was smiling malicieuly. Biddy
o. Flynn had kept Barbie S lover at most
tantalizing unrelenting distance all this
tine.-He was taking his revenge now.
Making a desperate effort, Biddy rallied
her confused senses to say, with consid-
erable selt-possession.
,Shure, sir, and it isn't mesilf that II not
be afther having any mon till L ii asked.
'Biddy, will you marry nae /? said Anson
gravely, extending his hand.
Il will that now, said Biddy, promptly
putting her hand in his, while old Joel
came near choking with amazement. 1t
was too late TO recede, however, whether
he had really wished sach thing or not,
as they soon made him understand. He
went out of doors presently, and private
ly- pinched himself to ascertain if he were
in his senses or nat. Seeing the two stand
ing by the window in close conversation
soon after lie crept with the same laudable
intention toward them. under cover of the
bushes that grew by the house.
Now, Barbie, Anson was saying
laughingly, what is to be done next 1
must say you've managed wonderfully so
far; but what do you suppose he'll say
when he knows you're not Biddy at
ALP.
Not Biddy at all 7 screamed Joel Shell
en5arger; stuck with a sudden suspicion
ef he knew not what, as he started out of
MS covert.
There stood Biddy, the white frill Of
er cap as INN ense as ever. She laughed
though when she saw him, and dslibertely
taking OF her cap, shook her bright
curls all about her face, and reaching to-
ward him her little hand said archly,
'Shure, sir, an ye won't be after hatin a
poor girl because her names Barbie
Halstead instead of Biddy o. Flynn 7
You-you Professor Halstead's girl
Professor Halstead is my father, sir;
said Barbie in her natural tones.
What's that 2 a55 1f
Barbie repeated it.
And you re not Irish 2
'Niver btu
The old man stood moment, clouds
gathering in his face.
Well, Anscn, he said, rathor surlily
youv We eutwltted me again-much good
May ii do you. You'd better get cut the
horses now, and take Halstead girl home
I4a n,uSt wan / tn saa her hy this fl mo