The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-28

much of his time, was going now to set
the seal upon his absurdity and disobe-
dience by marrying "town girl!" Bad
enough to marry any one, seeing his faith
er wasn't through with him yet-but a
town girl! He should never consent, and
every Shellenbarger acre should go to
strangers before Anson should have one,
if he persisted in an idea so ridiculous!
"And pray what harm is there in being
a town girl? questioned Barbie Halstead,
when Anson told her half laughing, half
vexed, and altogether rueful-for without
assistance from his father he could not
marry Barbie for long time yet. Anson
laughed again, but with some embarrass-
ment, saying, "My father is afraid that a
daughter of Professor Halstead would not
make a very good farmers WIFE"
"Does he think-?" Barbie hesitated,
looking with smiling perplexity at her lit
tie white hands.
"That these pretty hands don't know
much about brewing and baking, etc.
Exactly; believe he thinks just that"
"Then he thinks wrong" said Barbie,
reddeaing, and looking up at her lover
with g comical little pout "Didnt hear
you say you needed a servant at home?
I've mind to 60 down ard offer for the
place
Anson laughed again enjoyingly.
"Weneed one badly enough, but my
father Will not suffer one inside the house."
"WhY how do you live then? Who
cooks fo. you, now that your mother is
ill?"
"We 10 our own cooking" Anson said,
with remrn of the half-smiling, half-em-
barrassed expression. "We cook for our
selves, or 10 without"
The very day succeeding the one which
witnessed this conversation, Anson was at
home busyi,g himself over some culinary
operations, when the outside door, which
stood ajar, was noiselessly pushed open,
and singuhrly attired form presented it.
self on the threshold. 1t wore red and
green plaid dress, the checks very large,
a yellow shawl, and very frowzy and
tumbled white bonnet. A red feather,
nearly as long as Anson's arm, streamed
from one side, and within the brim Topped
the immense frill of cap which clung
close around the face of the stranger.
The face-wbat could be seen of twas
very curious one to be inside of such
bonnet and cap. Just now, as she sur
veyed the kitchen and Anson-herself
still unseen-the muscles about her mouth
twitched nervously, and her eyes twinkled
with roguish brightness,
Presently Anson looked that way.
Instantly the face took a lugubrious
length, and coming into the room, the
girl said, insinuatingly, but without look
ing at him:
"An would ye be afther hirin' a SER
want the day?" and stood fidgeting with
the fringe of her shawl.
81 believe not" said Arson, coloring,
with some annoyance, perhaps, at the ma
ture of his employment.
"Shure sir, an the lady that sint me
God bless her swate eyes - said you'd be
sure to take on her recommendation,
which has in my pOcket-and here tis
now.
She gave him little note, which proved
to be from Barbie Halsted Arson read it
with a very lover-like carelessness, but
shook his head.
"I am very sorry my good girl, but We
do not wish TO hire servant"
"Belike 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 he was OF too kindly nature
to be willing to expose even this servant
to his fathers rough manner. He repeated
what he had said before, assuring her that
it would be no use to see his father.
The girl stood moment If ye plase,
sur, I'll just see him mOmint. Belize he
may take liken' 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
reception she would get.
shure an I'll do plenty more'n I'm
worth to yees," she was saying with in
nOcent emphasis as Arson 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 astonishment.
The remarkable volubility completely
baff1ed the old mans slOwness. He could
not say word if he wished to, and when
she concluded at last with "I can make
flap jacks and corn bread thatd bring the
very eyes out iv your head and make ye
swallow your tongue with delightsome-
ness, Gf he had weakness. it was for
flap jacks and corn Bread he could only
twirl his thumbs in sort of delicious
awe, and ask her with stammering smile
how much she expected "to get for all
them things"
"Seventy-fve cents week." was the
prompt reply.
With still more cunning laugh Joel
offered her half the money. Greatly to
his amazement, she agreed at once, and
he found himself. to use his own nv