The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-03-10


Auson laugh cnjoyingly.
ave need one bad enough, but my
father will not suffer one in the house"
"Why, how do you live then? Who
cooks for you, now that your mother is
inY
ave do our own cooking" Anson
said, with n return of the half smiling,
halfembarrasse expression. ave cook
for ourselves or do without
The very day succeeding the one
which witnessed this conversation, An
son was at home, bu>ying himself over
some culinary operations, when the out.
side door, which stood ajar, was noise
lessly pushed wide open, anda singularly
attired form presented itself on the
threshold. It wore red and green plaid
dress, the cheeks very large, yellow
shawl, and Il very frowzy and tumbled
white bonnet. A red feather, nearly as
long as Anson's arm, strcamed from one
side, and within the brim Topped the
immense frill 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 a
bonnet and cap. Just now, as she sur
veyed the kitchen and Anson, herself
unseen, the muscles about her mouth
twitched nervously, and her eyes
twinklcd with roguish brightness.
Presently Anson looked that way
Instantly the face took lugubrious
length, and coming into the room, the
girl said, hesitatiugly, but without look
ing ut him
"An' would yc be afthcr hiriu' a SER
want the day and stood fds getting with
the fringe of her shawl.
81 believe not, said Anson, coloring
with some annoyance, perhaps, at the
nature Of his employment.
"Shure, sir, an the lady that sint me,
God bless her swate eyes said you'd be
shure to take me on her recommenda-
tion, which l has in my pocket, and
here It's now"
She gave him note which proved to
be from B,rbic llalstead. Anson read
it with very lover like carefuluess, but
shook his head.
/" am very sorry, my good girl, but
we do not wish to hire servant"
"Belike your father mayn't object
when he sees me, the girl persisted.
Anson looked at the spoiled white
bonnet and the red feather, aud re
pressed smile, wondering what his
father would say. Bat he was too
kindly nature to be willing to expose
even this servant to his fathers rough
manner. lie repeated what he had
said before, assuring her that it W. uld
be Of no use to see his father
The girl stood moment. "If yc
phase, sir, I'll just see him a momeut,
Belke he may take likiu' to the look
o mo-"
And before he could reply she had
crossed the room, and upon the thres-
hold OF the next. Anson followed pres
emily, curious to see what kind Of re-
ception she would get
"Shure, an I'll do plenty MORN I'm
worth to 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 regarding her with an
expression of the most ludicrous aston
ishment.
This remarkable volubility completely
baffled the old mans slowness lie
could not say n word if he wished to,
and when she concluded at last with,
81 can make hapjacks and corn bread
that'd bring the very eyes out iv yer
head aud make yc swally yer tongue
with delightsomeness," Gf he had
weakness it was for Rapjacks and corn
bread, he could only twirl his thumbs
in sort of ridiculous awe, and asked
her with sudden smile how much she
expected "to get for all those things"
"Seventy-6ve cents week, was the
reply.
With still more cunning laugh,
Joel offered her half the money
Greatly to his amazement, she agreed
at once; and he found himself, to use
his own expression, sin for it," To add
to his chargriu, Arson stood by, laugh
ing with intense enjoyment.
But the girl, without further ado,
proceeded to disencumber herself of a
bonnet aud shawl and vanish in the
direction of the kitchen before anything
could be said As she shut the door
she stole glance at Anson that made
him start aud bite his lips, aud present
ly he stole kitchenward also. She was
already at work, handling the broom
like an adept, and grumbling in her
rich brogue at the dust that had accu.
mulated in the corners for the extent
of Anson's and his fathers sweepings
had been to brush the ceutre Of the
room, somewhat to the disadvantage OF
the rest.
She did not look up as Anson entered;
but he sat down aud deliberated, and
furtively watched her. For some time
she seemed unconscious OF his scrutiny;
but presently she turned, and clasping
both her little hands upon the top OF
the broom handle, said, with mixture
oil bravado and archness too natural to
be mistaken
well, Anson, what do you think 2"
The young man laughed and looked
annoyed in the same breath.
"Then it is you, Barbie p he said
"lwas suspecting gsomething of the sort"
mot till | looked at you,' said the
GIRL roguishly, retrcating as he ap-
preached.