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

itself on the threshold. 1t were red ant
green plaid dress, the checks very large
yellow shaw, and very frowzy ant
tumbled white bonnet. A red fcathe
nearly as long as Anson's arm streamet
from ore side and within the brim loSpe,
the immense frill of a cap which clun.
close around the face of the stranger
The face-what could be seen of it--wa
curious one to be inside of such bon
net and cap. Just now, as she surveyed
the Kitchen and Anson-herself still un
scen--the muscles about her moutl
twitched nervouslY, and her eyes twinkleC
with roguish brightness.
Presently Anson Looked that way.
Instantly the face took lugubriou:
length; and coming into the room the
girl said insinuatingly. but without look
ing at him:
"And would ys be after hiria' servant
to day?"
81 believe not, said Anson, coloring
with some annoyance, perhaps, at the
nature Of his employment.
"Shure, sir, an the lady that sent me
said-God bless her swate eyes!-yeu' d
be sure to take me on her recommends
ton, which [ has in nae pocket-and
here it's now.
She gave him little note which proved
to be from Barbie Halstead, Anson read
it with very lover like eareiulness, but
shook his head.
clam very sorry, my good girl, but we
do not wish to hire a servant"
Belize your father mayn't object
whin he Sees me, the girl persisted.
Anson looked at the soiled white bon
net and the red feather, and repressed a
smile, wondering what his father would
say.
But ne was of toe kindly nature to
be willing to expose even this servant to
his fathers rough manners. He repeated
what he had said before, assuring her that
it would be of no use to see his father.
The girl stood moment-''if ye plaze,
sir, I'll just see him a moment. Belize
ho may take likiH' to the look O. me-
And before he could reply she had
crossed the room, and stood upon the
threshold of the next. Anson followed
presently, curious to see what sort OF a
reception she would get.
''Shure an I'll dc plinty more'n I'm
worth to yess," she was saying with inno-
cent emphasis as Anson entered. She
talked rapidly, pouring out such torrent
of words that the old man could not by
any possibility slip one in among them,
and sat regarding her with an expression
of the most ludicrous astonishmept.
This remarkable vollubility completely
baf1ed the old mans slswness. He coaid
not say word if he wished to and WHEN
she concluded at last with, al can make
fap- jacks and corn bread that'd bring
the very eyes out iv your head. and make
ys swally yer thongue with delightsome-
nees," (if he had weakness it was for
flap Jacks and corn bread) he could only
twirl his thumbs in sort of delicious
awe, and asked her with cunning smile
how much she expected to git for dein'
all them things,
Seventy five cents a week, was the
prompt reply.
With still more cunning laugh Joel
offered her half the meney. Greatly to
his amazement she agreed at once, and he
found himself, to use his own expression,
in for it. Te add to his chagrin Anson
stood by, laughing with intense enjsy-
Ment,
But the girl, without further ado, pro
ceeded to disencumber herself Of bonnet
and shawl, and vanished in the direction
of the kitchen, before anything could be
said. AS she shut the door she stole a
glance at Anson that made him start and
bite his lips, and presently hestole kitchen
ward also. She was already at work,
handling the broom like an adept, and
grum bling in her rich brogue at the dust
that had accumulated in the corners, for
the extent of Anson's and his father S
sweeping had been to brush the center
of the room, somewhat to the disadvan-
tage of the rest.
She did not look up as Anson entered;
but he sat down and deliberately, but
furtively watched her. For some time
she seemed unconscious of his scrutiny;
but presently she turned, and elasping
both little hands upon the top Of the
broom handle, said with mixture OF
bravado and archness too natural to be
mistaken.
''WeH, Anson, what do you think?'
The young man laughed and locked
ANNOYED in the same breath.
Then it is you, Barbie?" he said. i
was suspecting something of the sert. ,
Not till looked at you, said the
girl, roguishly, retrcating as he approach
ed.
.'Do you think this is quite the thing,
Barbe?" ..es,...,.a
"Shure an why ain't it the thing for a
poor girl to be getting her living dacent-
ly and henestly?"
And that was all he could get out Of
her. Having acknowledged her identity
with Barbe for an instant, she was the
NEST unapproachable .biddy, the next
and would have nothing to say to him
save in that character.
"Does your father know oS this Bar
bic? what would he say?" perseyered
AnsoA, anxioNily.
"S'hure an it's not me own fader wouid
be interferin wild me, would he?' said
Riddy.
In$vain were all remoustrances with