National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-05-27

traying Barbie's secret, which he
would not have done for great
deal.
1t was several hours before he
could return to the house, his father
having, upon one prcteXt or another
detained him.
When at last they entered togeth.
er, kitchen and sitting room, both
of which had been in most untldy
state when they left there, had I'M
dergone such remarkable pnovat.
ing process, that Old Joel drew back
at first, thinking that he had set foot
in somebody e'Se's house instead of
his own. Supper was smoking on
the table: such a supper as old Joel
at least, had not seen in months -
To crown all, Mrs. Shc'lenbarger
was sitting. propped mp with pillow :
IN great easy char, aud looking
WondrouSly contcnted, and with
rcason-the poor old lady had not
had Il Womau'S hand about her since
her illness. They lived in such all
isolated, inhOspitable manner, that
very few of their neighbors even
knew that Mrs. Shelltnbirger was
not as well as usual. Biddv. as she
called herself, had tidied the poor
lady up III a wonderful manner.
Joel Shellcnbarger sat down to
the daintiIy spread table, and made
a most hearty aud keenly reliShed
meal, CHANGING aSkance at Biddy
meanwhile. AnSOn. strange to say
ate very little. and he watched Bid
1 dY aSkance, too.
This was only the beginning of
reforms this daring girl instituted.
First, however, as much fer her own
peace of mind as Anson's-know
ing that mother and son were fast
friends and always Of one opinion,
she told her secret to Mrs Shellen,
barger, and fairly wheeded the good
lady into approval. 1t is true that
| she shook her head at first, and
looked wondrously shocked. 1t was
/ charming to have those little soft
hands tiuttcring about her, and to
see Such brightness and comfort
spring mp around, that she could not
for her own sake, help countenanc.
ing, as much as silence could, Bid
dN's mysterious presence.
| haven't time TO give particulars
but having made a good beginning,
with true Irish facility, Biddy eS
tahlished herself in very short time
completely in the good graces of the
Old man. He had lurking likeness
tor neatness and good order, and
Mrs. Shellenbarger, poor woman,
Wcsn't Il very tidy houSekecper.-
/ Cnddpr the new reign, order grew
| out of chaos: the honSe seemed in
holiday garb all the time and an
/ atmosphere of social cheerluncSS
pervaded every where.
One morning Biddy had been
talking about leaving. The day be
fore, the old man ended a grumbliug
complaint TO Anson with Il never
see no good come of eddication yet.
If it hadu't been for that college bu
SincSs YOU might have taken lik
i'll to sensible girl, and she to YOU
He glanced at Biddy as he spoke.
/ She turned scarlet and came near
dropping the dish she was holding
II was not the first time Ansou had
heard such insinuations, and he ra.
ther enjoyed Biddy'S trcpidatiOn.
See here, father, he said, rogu
iShly, just pick me out IA wife, and
see what will become OF it,
The only girl know of worth
having. wouldn't have you. | dare
would YOU Biddy 2 joel said
srumhlinsly, but suddenly turning
To the gll!.
AnSon was smiling malicously,-
Bridget O'l'lyn had kept Barbie'S
lover at a tantallzing and unrclent.
ing distance all this time. He was
taking his revenge now. Making Il
desperate effort BIddy rallied her
confused senses enough TO say, with
considerable selfpOSSeSSion:
'Shure, sir, an it isn't meseli
thatiI De aither having any man till
I'm ask ed
'Biddy, will YOU marry me ? said
Anson gravrly. extending his hand.
Faith, an that ! will. now said
Biddy, promptly putting her hand
in his, while old Joel came near
near choking himself with amaze.
mcnt. 1t was too late to rccede how.
even, whether he had wished such n
thing or not, as they soon made him
understand. lie wcGt out of doors
presently, privately pinching him
) self to ascertain if he were IN his
senses or not. Seeing the two stand
! ing by the window in close convcr
sation soon after, he crept with the
same laudablc intention toward
|. them, under the cover Of the bushes
that grew near the house.
, Now Barbic,' AnSon was saying
laughingly, 'what is - bc done next
must say you've managed wonder
fully so far, bu5 what do you suppose
: hell say when hc knows you're not
Biddy at all p
, Not Biddy at all ? screamed Joe
, struck with u sudden suspicion of h'
b knew not what, as he started ont o
his covert.
There stood Biddy, the white fri
. of her close cap rs immense ns ever
she laughed, though, when she saw
r him, and deliberately taking OIL he
| cap, shook her bright cnrls all nbou
her face, and re ching toward hin
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