The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-11-26

The very day succeeding the one
which witnessed this conversation,
Ason was at home, busying himself
over some culinary operations, when
the outside door, which stood. ajar,
was noiselessly pushed wide open,
and singularly attircd form present
cd itself on the threshold. 1t wore
red and green plaid dress, the
checks very large, yellow shawl,
and very frowzy and tumbled white
bonnet. A red feather, nearly as
long as Arson s arm, streamcd from
I>enc side, and within the brim topped
tho immense frill of cap which
clung close ar1und the face of the
stranger. Ihe face, what could be
seen of it, was very curious one to
be inside of~such bonnet and cap.
Just now as she surveyed the kitch-
en- and Anson, herself unseen, the
muscles about tue mouth twitched
ncrvousiy, and her eyes twinkleJ
with roguish brightness.
Presently Arson looked that way
Instantly the face took lugubrious
length, and coming into the room,
the ;;irs said hesitatingly, but with
out looking at him ... + u,
-"An' would ye lie afther hirin' a
servant the day?'' and stood fdgct-
ing whit the fringe: of her shawl. 3
II believe not,' said Anson, col
orIng with some annoyance. perhaps.
at the ma tnre Of his employment.
""Shurc, sir, an the lady that sint
me, God bless her swate eyes,! said
you'd lie shure to take me on her rec
ommendation, which l has in my
.posket, and here tits now." -
She gave him note which proved
to be from Barbie Halstead. Anson
read it with very lover like careful
ness, but shook his head. . ar~r .
Il am very sorry, my good girl,
but we do not wish to hire servant"
"Bclikc your father mayn't object
when he sees: me- the girl persisted.
Arson looked 40 the spelled white
bonnet and tho rcd feather, and re-
pressed . smile, wondering what his
father would say: But no was too
kindly anature to be willing to ex-
pose even this Servant to his fla thcr's
rough manner. He repeated what he
had said before, assuring her that it
would be Of no use to sec his father.
The gill stood a moment. IF ye
plasc. sir, I'll just see him momint.
Bclike he may take likin, to the
lock o me. ....,.,.
And before he could sseply she had
crossed the room, and stood upon the
threshold Of the. next. Anson fol.
lowed presently, curious to see what
kind of reception she would get.
"SLure, an III do plenty NOR N
I'm worth t.. yces," she was saying
with innocent emphasis, as Arson
entered She talked rapidly, pouring.
out such a torrent Of words that the
old man could not, by any possibility
slip one in among them, and sat re-
garding her with an expression Of the
most lulicrol,s astonishmcnt. .a.
This remarkable volubility COM
pletely hafied the cid mans slowuess.
Ie could not say aword if he wished
to, and when she concluded at last
wish, 81 can make flapjacks and
corn bread that't bring the very eyes
out iv yer head and make sc swally
yer tongue with delightsomencss, "
Gfhe had a weakness it was for flap
jacks and corn-bread, he could only
twirl his thumbs III sort Of ridieu-
lous awe, and asked Ter with q sud-
den smile how much sh;. expected ''to
get for doing all those things
"Sevcnty 1--we cents week., was
the prompt reply. su..4 r.a#.s>ss
With a still more cunning laugh,
Joel offered her half the money.
Greatly to lis amazement, she agreed
at once; au.l he found himself, to use
his own expression, lin for it, 4" 10
add to his chagrin, Anson stood by,
laughing with intense enjoyment
But the gi. l. without further ado,s
proceed to discpcunber herself Of
bonnct.and shawl aud vanish in the
direction OF the kitchen before dny-
thing could be said. As sac shut the
door she stole a glance 1T Anson that
made him start and bite fhis lips, and
presently he stole kitchenward also.
She was already at work, handling
the broom like an adept, and grum-
bling in her rich broguc at the dust
that had accumulated in tho corners;
for the extent of Anson's anil his
fathers swcepings had been to lrush
the center Of the room, somewhat to
the disadvantage Of the rest.
She did not look up as Anson en-
tered; but he sat down and deliberat-
ed, and furtiyely watched her. For
sometime she seemed unconscious of
his scrutiny; but presently she turn
ed, and clasping both her little hands
UPON the tep of the broom handle,
said, with mixture Of bravado and
archness too natural to be mistaken
"We!l, Anson, what do you Think"
Tie young man laughed aid looked
annoyed in the same breath. r .s
. Then tits you, Barbie?" he said;
81 was suspecting something Of tho
sort 7" ..s s.r 5.
"Not till | looked at you.'' said
the girl roguishly, retreating as he
aapproached..4s yaar s
Z ''Do you think it is quite the
thing, Barbie?"
"Shurc, an why amt it the thing
for 3 nonr rirl To lie rattin' her liy-