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

seen, the muscles about her mouth
twltched nervously, and her eyes
twinkled with roguish brightness.
Presently AnsOn looked that way.
Instantly the face took lugubrious
length, and coming into the room,
the girl said hestatingly, but with
out looking at him
AN would We be afther hrin'
servant to-day p and stood fidgeting
with the fringe of her shawl.
Il believe not said Anson, color
ing with some annoyance, perhaps,
at the nature of his employment.
Sure. sir, an the lady that sint
me, God bless ner swate eyes said
you'd be shure to take me on her
recommendation, which | has i'll my
pocket, an here It's now
She gave him a note which proved
to be from Barbie Halstcad. AnsoH
read 1t with very lover like careful
ness, but shook his head.
Il am very sorry, my good girl,
but we do not wish to hire ser
want
'Belille your father mayn't object
when he sees me- the girl persisted.
AnSOn looked at the spoiled white
bonnet and the red feather, and re
pressed smile. wondering what his
father would 5, Y. But his was too
kindly nature to he willing to eX.
/ pose even tins servant to his ia
Tiers rough manner. He repeated
what he had said before, assuring
1 her that it would be of no use to see
his father.
The girl stood a moment. If We
phase, sir, III Just see him moment.
| Bclikc he may take likin' to the
4 look o me.
And before he could reply she had
crossed the room, and stood upon
the threshold of the next. AnSon
followed presently. curious to see
what kind of reception she would
/ get.
'Shure an I'll do plenty morn I'm
worth 70 yees,' she was saying with
innocent emphasis, as Auson enter
ed. She talked rapidly. pouring cut
such IA 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 ludicrouS astoniShmcnt.
This remarkable volubiIity com
pletely hatflcd the old mans slow.
ness. He could not say word if
he wished to. and when size conclud.
ed at last with, i can make flap.
lacks and bread that'd bring the
very eyes ont is yer head and make
We swaliy Yer tongue with delight
SomencSS.' (it he had Il weakness it
was for tianjacks aud corn bread
/ he could only twirl his thumbs in a
sort Of ridiculous awe, and asked
her with sudden smile how much
She expected TO get for doing all
those things.
/ seventy five cents week, was
The prompt reply.
With a still more cunning laugh,
Joel offered her half the money
Greatly to his amazemeut, she agrr,l
at once and he found himself to
use his own expression. iii for it,
To add to his chagrin, Anson stood
by, laughing with intense enjoy,
mcnt.
But tn ,irl, without further ado,
proceeded TO diSencumbrr herself Of
a bonnet and shawl and vanish in
the direction of the kitchen before
anything could he said. As she
shut the door she stole a glance at
Ausou that made him start and bite
his lips, ANA presently lac >tulr hitch
onward also. She was already at
work, handling the broom like an
adept, and Grumbliug III her rich
FhrogUc at the dust that bad acumu
lated in the corners for the extent
of AnSm's aud his fathers sweeping
had been to brush the center of the
room, somewhat to the disadvantage
Of the rest.
She did not look up rs Arson en-
tered: bat he sat down aud dclibcr
atcd, aud turtivclv watched her.
For some time She seemed uncon
Scious of his scrutiny; but present
" she turned, and claSpng both OF
her little hands upon the top of the
broom handle. said. with a mixture
of bravado and arcluesS too natur
al to be mistaken
We'll, Arson, what do YOU Think
The young man laughed and look
ed annoyed in the same breath.
Then 1t is you, Barbie ? he said
Il was suspecting something of tn,
sort
'Not till | looked at you,' said til,
girl, roguisly, rctreating as he ap
preached.
+ 'Do you think it is quite the thing
Barbie 2
'Shure. an why amt it the tbnl
for n poor girl to he gettin, her liv
in' dacently and honestly p
And that was all he could get on
of her. Having acknowledged hcl
, identity with Barbic for an instant
she was the most unapproachahl'
: Biddy the next, and would hav,
nothing to say save in that char
| actcr.
, Does your father know of this
Barbie 7 What would he sayT pei
p severed AnsOn.
, 'Shure, an it's not me own fade
] would be intcrtcrin' wild me, woul,
. he = said Biddy.