Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1865-04-25

the war l did the next thing-I went to
war with myself My adorable lovers
could they endure the trial to which their
nerves were to be subjected They ware
but human, and breeze Of sense might
blow them away My first battle was
with my parents next morning
I've request to make, father and
mother, and very much desire that you
may grant it My face flushed all over
at this l could feel the blood tinglc to
the very fnguer ends.
What is it, Betsy Jane?" says father.
HAS VIII Hastings been making-2"
NO, viii Hastings has nothing to do
with it, nor anybody's will but my own.
'Tis just this: l want you to dismiss our
hired girl; there are only three of US in
the family and l really think we need no
girl"
"But," interrupted my mother, "do you
think your poor old mother wants to kill
herself?"
"No mean that don't want to kill
myself doing nothing have lived use
lessly about long enough"
There were numberless obiectios to this,
but by diligen. entreaty and Argument, |
carried the day. Three days later as
sumed the position of Bridget But be-
fore the half Of the morning had passed |
was tired to death-yes "my lady was tir-
ed to death" IF | went up stairs, one
hand must hold up quantity of crinoline
and skirts. If / came down stairs there
was the "rat, tat, tat of the steel upon
the stairs If passed into narrow place,
both hands must be enlisted in squeezing
the balance into a collapsed state. was
in constant fear of tipping boxes, jugs,
catching my dress on nails, or wiping off
some convenient black kettle. Nv dress
must be pinned up, or beautifully drabbl>
ed around the bottom. My shoes were
thin for out door wear.
|. | had another battle to fight. There
were no lives sacrifced-only few false
notions of gracefulness, dignity, etc.,
quietly beheaded and buried. NV first
attack was at the store and resulted in the
capture of a pair of balmoral calfskins-
No. > - legally captured, of course. The
dress question occupied my attention next
| had heard of bloomers. but most un,
craciously stuck up my proboscis at them
like hundreds Of other foolish wo..ien who
knew nothing Of their excellences | did
not have any of DR. Harriet Austin's pat
terms or guides-neither wanted anv.
very good. except that it was most shame
fully switched out around the bo!tom-
Cutting off the rags and hemminc it up.
] had dress two or three inches above
the tops Of my shoes. The next morning
appeared in the kitchen sans crinoline,
sans trial, sans funny diddles Cousin
John, who happen, in TO see father, cries
out, "O,hl and Bridget, how long since
We came over from Oule Ireland p
This put rs all in roar Of laughter,
which Of itself was enough to pay for one
Bloomer scene. Father, who, like all
sensible men, never admired the "institu-
ton" (as he calls crinoline) said, "Betsv
Jane never looked better" He always
calls me Betsy Jane, and thinks it is a
substantial name. He says these Jennies,
Carries, and Lotties do very we'll for high
flown folks, who are always after some
new tangled notions
My new harness fitted me so we'll that
found my work completed in half the
time. and with more than twice the ease
I could not hunt for hens nests without
frightening the hens with transient ghost
of n haystack So started for the barn
On my way nv uncle passed with, "Well.
there, You look like the last run Of shad |!
Ny Kate had on something like that the
other day and l threatened to turn her
awav"
Whenever you tire of her," I replied,
''send her here. Thi, shall be an asylum
to the oppressed, hereafter"
| had p fine time hunting for eggs NV
movements were so free and unre.trained
that it seemed like living over again my
childhood.
Just before setting down to dinner,
Cousin, John came in, saying, II thought
Id come over and dine with you. Jennie,
and see how you ho'd out in your new
tangled costume"
"Well Sir John. despite ail your sar-
casm hold out faithful, and, with the aid
of common sense, intend to, while nv
laborinr>life lasts
"Will you receive visitor, this afternoon
in your really charming habit?'
"No, shall dress up this afternoon
but if my friends make morning calls,
they will find me in my working dress"
" But what if Doctor Wilson, or Hav-
ward. or -
- I wouldn't run for all the gentlemen
in town. | presume the said dandies
would stare, and Wonder if was sane.
fee-faw-fum awhile, and suddenly call to
mind an engagement, and vamose. You
needn't laugh, Cousin John. and think ]
will nor dare do as say know I am