Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-05-18
Professor IIaIstcad's Girl.

y crotchety and contrary old chap wa
joel Sheleubargcr, a rich old farmer, al
mulsb as the donkey in his barn. lie hat
made his way in the world by the doggcdos
obstinacy hold Of whatever came il
his way, and retaining that hold as though
life depended upon it--Joe's mulishuess bad
literally been the making Of him, though you
mightn't have considered the little pot-belied
thick-skuled old man as much Of u make
after ALL
Joel had one son--a handsome, clear-headei
young man-straight as a young larch, tall
and as set in his way, when he chose to have
one, as old Joel himself This son, as he
grew up, had proved great assistance to hi.
father in working the farm, aud his service.
had been made the most Of The old man
managed to keep him at home with him some-
time after he ought to have been doing for
himself Not an acre Of his fathers posses
sions was ever called his sons; he owned
nothing in the world save a horse, which some
neighbor had given him, when it was u sickly
colt, and some sheep, obtained in much the
same manner; and the old man grudged him
the keeping Of these.
Joel Shellenbargor and his son differed
often, but there were two points in which the
difference amounted 10 something serious.
The first point concerned education, for which
the old man had the most profound contempt
and the son had not There was college
some dozen miles from the Shellenbarger farm,
and thither - having thoroughly prepared
himself in spite Of fatherly thwarting and op-
position-Auson betook himself, in spite Of
the same continued opposition, and by one
contrivance aud another, and helped by his
mothers small marketing, kept himself there
till he graduated Joel Shellenbarger con-
tested the ground inch by inch, but was afraid
in bis selfshncss to do anything more than be
obstinate, lest his son should leave him
That was the first point of difference and
that was how Arson settled it. The second
was not likely to be Of so easy an arrange
ment Atcollege Anson had found something
beside graduating honors. He had CHANGED
upon a very charming combination of curs
and azure eyes--a red-lipped, dimpo-cheeked
fairy, daughter of one Of the professors, who,
instead Of curying her dainty lip at the home
spun suit which his poverty and his fathers
niggardlness compelled him to wear, never
seemed to be conscious Of anything or any
body else when he was by.
In short Anson had found some one to
love, some one that he wanted to marry, as
he gravey informed his father You should
have seen the old mans eyes it wasa mercy
they were fast in their sockets. Here was
gratitude This Arson, having dcirauded
his old father Of so much of his time, was
going now to set the seal upon his absurdity
and disobedience by marrying town girl
Bad enough TO marry any one, seeing his
father wasn't through with him yet-but a
town girl He should never consent, and
every Shellenbarger acre should 20 to stran.
gers before Auson should have one, if he per-
sisted 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 ruefu for, without as
sistance from his father, he could not marry
Barbie for long time yet
Anson laughed again 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--2' Barbie hesilated,
looking with smiling perplexity at her little
white hands.
THAT those pretty hands don't know much
about brewing, baking, etc. c.?-Exactly; |
believe he thinks just that"
"Then he thinks wrong said Barbie, rcd
dening and looking up at her lover with a
comical little pout. Didn't hear you say
you needed a servant at home ? I've a mind
to 60 down and offer for the place"
Anson laughed eujoyiugly.
ave need one bad enough, but my father
will not suffer one inside the house"
"Why, how do you live, then Who
cooks for you, now that your mother is i'll 2''
we do our own cooking" Anson said,
with return of the haf-smiling, half embar-
rassed expression. " We cook for ourselves
or do without"
The very day succeeding the one which
witnessed this conversation, Ans0n was at
home, busying himself over some culinary op-
erations when the outside door, which stood
ajar, was noselessly pushed wide open, and a
singuIarly attired form presented itself on the
threshold, Itwore a red and green plaid dress,
the checks very large, yellow shawl, aud a
NtlJ ibNal uiA Ahlhplth NillN uuHutAs "A Itu
feather, nearly as long as Anson's arm, stream
ed from one side and within the brim Topped
the immense fril Of a cap which clung close
around the face Of the stranger. The 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 kitchen and
Anson, herself unseen, the muscles about her
mouth twitched neryously, and her eyes twin
kled with roguish brightness.
Presently Anson looked that way Instant
ly the face took lugubrious length, and com
ing into the room, the girl said hesitotingly,
but without looking at him
AN would yo be aither hirin servant
to-day ?" and stood idgeting with the fringe
Of her shawl.
81 believe not" said Anson, colorng with
some annoyance perhaps, at the nature of his
employment.
" Shure, sir, an the lady that sint me, God
bless her swato eyes said you'd be shure to
take me on her recommendation, which has
in my pocket, and here lis now"
She gave him a note which proved to be
from Barbie Halstead Anson read It with
very lover like carefulncss, but shook his
head.
81 am very sorry, my good girl, but We do
not wish TO hire servant"