The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-28
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2s 1864

preston, Gin for it." To add to bis cha.
grin, Arson stood by, laughing with in
tense enjoyment.
| But the girl, without further ado, pro-
ceeded to disencumber herself of her bon
net and shawl, and vanished in the direc-
ton of the kitchen before anything could
be said. As she shut the door she stole
glance at Anson that made him start and
bite his lips, and presently he stole
kitchenward also. She was already at
work, handling the broom like an adept,
and grumbling in her rich brogue at the
dust that had accumulated in the corners !;
for the extent of Anson's and his fathers
sweeping had been to brush the centre of
| the room, somewhat to the disadvantage
of the rest.
She did not look up as Arson entered,
but he sat down and deliberately, but fur
| lively watched her. For some time she
seemed unconscious of his scrutiny but
presently she turned, and, clasping both
little hands upon the top of the broom
archness too natural to be mistaken,
"Well, Arson, what do you think ?''
The young man laughed and looked an
noyed in the same breath.
"Then is it you, Barbie ?" he said; "I
was suspecting something of the Sort
"Not till l looked at you," said the girl,
roguishly, retreating as he advanced.
"Do you think this is quite the thing,
Barbie ~ .
"Shure an why amt it the thing for a
poor girl to be gettin' her livin' dacently
and honestly ?"
And that was all he could get out of her.
Having acknowledged her identity with
Barbie for an instant, she was the most
unapproachable "Biddy" the next, and
would have nothing to say to him save in
that character.
"DOes your father know of this, Barbie?
| What would he say?" persevered Anson,
anxiously.
"Shure and it's not me own fader would
| be interferin' wild me, would he?" said
Biddy.
In vain were all remonstrances with the
roguish and wilful girl. She persisted in
being Biddy, even to him, and maintained
a distance between them very different
from that between him and Barbie in her
own proper self Annoyed, provoked,
chagrined, almost angry, the advent of his
father forced him to retire from the kitch-
en-, for fear of betraying Barbies secret,
which he would not have done for great
DEAL
| 1t was several hours before he could re-
turn 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 most untidy state
when they left them, and undergone such
a remarkable renovating process, that old
Joel drew back at first, thinking he had set
foot in somebody's else house instead of
his own. Supper was smoking on the ia
ble-such a supper as old Joel, at least,
had not seen in months. To crown all,
Mrs. Shellenbarger was sitting, propped up
with pillows, in great easy chair, and
looking wondrously contented-and with
reason, too, for the poor lady had not had
a woman's hand about her since her Illness
They lived in such an isolated, inhospta-
BILE manner, that very few of their neigh
bors even knew that Mrs. Shellenbarger
was not as well as usual. Biddy, as she
called herself, had tidied the poor lady up
in wonderful manner
Joel Shellenbarger sat down to the dain-
tily spread table, and made most hearty
and keenly relished meal, glancing askance
at Biddy meanwhile. Arson, strange to
say, ate very little, and he watched Biddy
askance too.
This was only the beginning of reforms
this daring girl instituted. First, however,
as much, perhaps, for her own peace of
mind as AnsOn's-knowing that mother
and son were fast friends and always cf
one opinion-she told her secret to Mrs.
Shellenbarger, and fairly wheedled the old
lady into approval. 1t is true she shook
her head at first, and looked wondrously
shocked. But it was so charming to have
these ,soft hands t1uttering about her, and
to see such brightness and comfort spring
up around, that she could not, for her own
sake, help countenancing, as much as ST.
lence could, Biddy's mysterious presence.
l haven't time to give you all the particu-
lars, but having made SO good begin
ming, with a; true Irish facility, Biddy
established herself in a very short time
completely in the good graces Of the old
man. He had lurking for neatness and
order, and Mrs. Shellenbarger-poor lady!
wasn't very neat house keeper. Under
the new reign order grew out Of chaos;
the house seemed in holiday garb all the
time, and an atmosphere of social cheerful
ness pervaded everything.
One morning-Biddy had said some
thing about leaving the day before-the
old man ended grumbling complaint of
Anson, with 81 never see no good come
out of eddication yet. If hadn't been
for that college business, you might have
taken liking to a sensible girl, and she to
you." He glanced at Biddy as he spoke.
She turned scarlet, and came near drop
ping the dish she was holding. 1t was not
the first time Anson had heard such in