Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-05-04

been for that college business you nigh
have taken likin' to a sensible girl and she
one to you.
He glanced at Biddy as he spoke Sht
turned scarlet and came near dropping the
dish she was holding. 1t was not the frs
time Anson had heard such insinuations, anC
he rather enjoyed Biddy's trepidation.
''See here, father he said roguishly
lust pick me out a wife, and see what viii
come of it.
THE only girl know of, worth having
Biddy ?" Joel said, grumbliugly, but sud
denly turning to the girl,
.Anson was smiling ,naliciously. Bridget
had kept Barbie's lover at tantalizing ano
unrelenting distance all this time. He was
taking his revenge now. Making desper
ate effort, Biddy called her confused sense:
to say, with considerable self possession
''Shure, sir, an it isn't mesef that IL be af
ter having any man till L m asked.
''Biddy, will you marry me 2 said Ansor
grayefy, extending his hand.
Il will that, now," said BiddY, putting
her hand in his, while old Joel came neal
choking with amazement.
1t was too late TO recede, however, wheth
or he had really wished such thing or not
as she soon made him understand. He wen
out of doors presently, privately pInching
himself to ascertain If he were in his sense;
or not. Seeing the two standing by the win
dow in close conversation soon after, he crept
with the same laudable intention toward
them, under cover Of the bushes that grew
by the house.
''Now, Barbie," Anson was saying laugh,
ingly, what is to be done next? | must
say you've managed wonderfully so far, but
what do you suppose he II say when he finds
you are not Biddy at all p
Not Biddy'at all - screamed Joel, struck
with a sudden suspicion of he knew not what
as be started ont of his covert.
There stood Biddy, the white frii of hel
close cap as immense as ever; she laughed
when she saw him, and deliberately taking
off her cap, she shook her bright curls all
about her face, and reaching toward him hel
little hand, said: ''Shure, sir, an ye won I
be after blaming a poor girl because heI
name is Barbie Halstead instead of Diddy
O'Flynn p
"You-you Professor Halstead's girl ?'
professor Halstead is my father, SAID
Barbie in her natural tone.
Whats that p
Baibie repeated it.
And you re not Irish ~
'Niver bit
The old man stood moment, clouds gath
ering in his face. ''Well, Anson," he sale
rather saucily, you've out witted me again
much good may it do you. You'd better
get out the horses now, and take Halstead'
girl home, He must want to see her by
this time.
Yes, sir. - And Anson colored with
mingled anger and amazement.
Barbie did not change countenance, how
ever, but exceeding that pretty hand of her:
again, she said sweetly. "Y You Il shake hand
with ME, sir, won't you?"
Joel turned back aud gave his hand awk
wardiy The girl took it in both hers, ben
her bright face toward him and said, ..
shall come back sometime, sir, will you b
GLAD to see me
Joel hummed and hawed, and stammcre'
ont at last, ''vce-yeS; come back, Biddy-
mean Miss o flynn-I mean Miss
"Barbie, suggested the girl, quietly,
''Y Is. come back, and the sooner the BET
/ ter. There Arson, make the most on t !!
Barbie did come back, in very few weeks
too. and nobody was g!adder to sec her tha
| old .Iocl, though he was little shy at frs
Of Professor HalStead 8 girl. She soon mad
| him FORGET everything save that she was Al
| son 5 wife and the way he humored th
sly puss to suRdry grants OF money, retu1
nishing, repairing, etc., couldn't begin
! tell.