The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-10-21
Misfellaueons.
PROF. HALMsTEAD's GIRL.

n crochety anu contrary oiu cnap wa
Joel Shellenbarger. rich old farmer,
mulish rs the donkey in his barn. lie
had made his way In the world by the
idoggedcst obstinacy-seizing hold ofwhat'
ever came in his way. and retaining that
hold rs though life depended upon it
Joel's mulishcss had literally been the
making Of him, though you might have
considered the little pot-bellied. thick
skulled old man rs not much OF make
AFTER all.
Joel had one son-a handsome, clear
beaded young nian-straight as q young
larch. tall and rs set in his way, when he
chose to have one. rs old Joel himself.
This son. rs he grew up, had proved q
great assistance To his father in working
the farm. and his services had been made
the most Of. The old man managed to
keep him ut home with him some time he
ought 10 have been doing for himself.
Not an acre of his fathers possessions was
ever called the sons; he owned nothing
save horse. which some ncighbor had
given him when il was n sickly colt, and
some sheep obtained In much the same
manner. aud the old man grudgcd him
the keeping OF these.
Joel Shellenbarger and his son differed
often. but there were two points in which
the difference amounted 10 something Sc
rious. The first point concerned educa-
ton, 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 opposition
| Anson betook himself in spite OF the same
continued opposition, and by one contriv-
ance and another. and helped by his moth
er's small marketing. kept himself there
till he graduated. Joel Shcllenbarger
contested the ground inch by inch, but
was afraid in his selfishncss To do anything
more than bc obstinate. lest his s'n should
leave him. That was the first point of
difference. and that was how Anson set
tied IL. The second WAS not likely to be
OF SO easy an arrangement. At college
Anson had found something besides grad
uating honors. He had Glanced upon n
very charming combination Of curls and
azure eyes, red-lipped, dimplc-cheeked
fairy, daughter of one of the professors,
who, instead of curving her dainty lip Mt
the homespun suit which his poverty and
his fathers niggardliness compelled him
TO wear, never seemed To be conscious
Of anything or anybody else when he was
by.
In short Anson had found some one TO
love, some ono that he wanted 20 marry,
rs he informed his father. You should
have seen the old mans eyes; II was n
mercy they were fast in their sockets.
Here was gratitude! This Anson having
defrauded his old father Of so much Of his
time. was going now TO set the seal on his
absurdity and disobediencc by marrying n
town girl Bad enough tn marry any
one, seeing his father wasn't through with
him yet. but n town girl He should
never consent, and every Shellenbarger
acre should 90 to strangers before Anson
should have one, II he persisted in an idea
so ridiculous
And pray what harm Is there in being
town girl?' questioned Barbie Hahn
stead, when Arson told her. half laugh
ing. half vexed. and altogether ruefil ;
for without assistance from his father
he could not marry Barbie for long
time yet.
Anson laughed again. but with some
embarrassment, saying, my father Is
afraid that daughter Of Professor Hahn
stead would not make very good farm
er's wife,
Does he think-?' Barbie hcsitated,
looking with smiling perplexity at her
little white hands.
That these pretty hands don't know
much about brewing. baking. etc.?-ex-
actly; believe he thinks just that
Then he thinks wrong said Barbic,
reddening aud looking mp at her lover
with n comical little pout. Didn't hear
YOU say YOU needed servant Mt home?
I've mind To 90 and offer for the place.
Anson Laughed enjoyingly.
We need one bad enough, but my
father will not suffer one inside the
house.
.why, how do you live, thcn' Who
cooks for you, now that your mother Is
inr
We do our own cooking Anson said,
with return of the halfsmilin:, half-em.
barrassed expression. We cook for our
selves OF do without
The very day succeeding the one which
witnessed this conversation, Anson was nj
home busying himself over some culinary
operations, when the outside door, which
stood ajar, was noiselessly pushed wide
open, and singularly atiired form pre-
sented itself on the threshold. 1t wore q
red and green plaid dress. the checks very
large. yellow shawl and n very frowsy
and tumbled white bonnet. A red feath'
or, nearly AS long rs Anson's arm, stream
ell from one side. and within the brinl
Topped the immense frill Of y cap which
clung close around the face Of the stranger.
The face. what could be seen Of IL, was a
very curious one To be inside Of such q
J bonnet and cap. Just now rs she survey
cd the kitchen and Anson. herself unseen
the muscles about her mouth twitched ner.
vously. and her eyes twinkled with roguish
brightness.
Presently Anson looked that way. In
stautly the face took lugubrious length
and coming into the room. the girl said
hcsitatingly. but without looking Mt him
An would 20 be af.her hirin' servant
the day' and stood iidgiting with the
fringe Of her shawl.
Il believe not said Anson, coloring with
some annoyance perhaps at the nature oI
his employment.
.Shurc, sir. an the lady that sint me
God bless her swate eyes! said you'd be
.hure tn take me on her recommendation
which, has in my pocket, and here ti'
now
She gave him note which proved tn be
from Barbie Halmstes.i. Anson read i
with very lover-likc carefulness, but shook
his head.
I'm very sorry, INV good girl. but we
do not wish to hire servant
'Belike your father maynt object when
he sees me- the girl persisted.
Arson looked at the spoiled white bon
net and the red feather, and repressed q
smile. wondering what his father would
say. But he was of too kindly nature
10 be willing 10 expose even this servant