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 Arson 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 Arson told her half laughing, half
vexed, and altogether rueful-for without
assistance from his father he could not
marry Barbie for a long time yet. Arson
laughed again, but with some embarrass-
ment, saying, "My father is afraid that a
daughter of Professor Halstead would not
make 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 6 comical little pout. "Didn't l hear
you say you needed a servant at home?
I've mind to go down ard offer for the
place.
Arson laughed again enioyingly.
1--WE need one badly enough, but my
father vii not suffer one inside the house. -
"Why how DO you live then? Who
cooks 70. you, now that your mother is
| ill.,"
owe 10 our own cooking" Arson said,
| with return Of the half-smiling, halt-em-
barrassed expression. "We cook for our
selves, or 10 without
The ver1 day succeeding the one which
witnessed this conversation, Arson was at
home busyi1g himself over some culinary
| operations, when the outside door, which
| stood aiar, was noiselessly pushed open,
and a singuhrly attired form presented it.
| self On the threshold. 1t wore a red and
green plaid dress, the checks very large,
a yellow shawl, and a 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 a cap which chung
close around the face of the stranger.
| The face-wbat could be seen of twas
very curious one to be inside of such a
| bonnet and cap Just now, as she sur
veyed the kitchen and Anson-herself
still unseen-the muscles about her mouth
twitched nervous y, and her eyes twinkled
with roguish brightness,
Presently Arson looked that way.
Instantly the face took a lugubrious
length, and coming into the room, the
girl said, insinuatngly, but without look
ing at him:
can would We be afther hirin' a SER
want the day." and stood tidgeting 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 Lao! that snt me
God bless her swate eyes - said you'd be
which has in my pocke--and here its
now.
She gave hin little note, which proved
to be from BarDie Halsted Arson read il
with very lover-,ihe carelessness, but
shook his head
" 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.
Arson 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
whal he had said before, assuring her that
it would be no use to see bis father.
The girl stood moment-"I If We phase,
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. Arson followed
presently, curious to see what sort of a
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 establishment.
1ne remarkable VOluDlllty completely
baffled 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 that'd 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 a stammering smile
how much she expected "to get for all
them things
"Seventy-fve cents a 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
La found Li1nsalf 70 usa lis ou:n ox