Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1870-11-17

| lllTcSIlOlu. II WOTc II lCu huu SlCSh
plaid dress, the checks very large,
yellow shawl. aud u very trowzy and
tumblcd white bonnet. A red feather.
nearly ns long as AnSon's arm, stream
ed from one side, and within the
brim Topped the immense frill Of II cap
which clung close around the face o, the
stranger. The face, what could be seen
of it, was a very curious one to be in.
side of such bonnet and cap Just
now, as she surveyed the kitchen and
Ansou, herself unseen, the muscles
about her mouth twitchcd neryously, and
her eyes twinked with roguish bright
ness.
Presently Anson looked that way.
Instantly the face took lugubrous length,
and coming into the room, the girl said
hcsitaringly, but without looking at
him
AN would ye be afther hirin' a ser
want to-day 2 aud stood idgelinI with
the fringe OF her shawl.
IL believe not, said Arson, coloring
with some annoyance, perhaps, a. the
nature OF his employment.
".5hure, sir au' the lady that slut me,
God bless her swate eyes I! said you'd
be shure to take me on her recommen
datiou, which l has in my pocket, and
here it is now
She gave him note which proved to
be from Barbc Hasllead. Arson read
it with very lover like careGuluess, but
shook his head.
II am very sorry, my good girl, but
we do net wish to hire a servant
"Bclike your father mayn't objec.
when he sees me-" the girl persisted.
Anson looked at the spoiled white
bonnet and the red feather, aud repress-
ed a smile, wondering what his father
would say. But his was to kindly a
naturc to be wiling to expose even this
servant to his father rough manner.
He repeated what he had said before,
assuring her that it would be Of no use
to see his father.
The girl stood moment. at ye
plasc, sir, III just see him moment.
Belize he may take likin to look
} ONE
Aud before he could reply she had
!, crossed the room, and stood upon the
threshold Of the next Arson follow
= ed presently, curious to see what kind
Of y reception she would get.
"Shure, an III do plenty morn I'm
worth to yccs," she was saying with in
: nocent emphasis, as Anson 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 eX'
prcsssion of the most ludicrous aston
ishmeut.
This remarkable volubiIity complete
; " baffled the old mans slowness. lie
| could not say word if he wished to,
and when she concluded at last with, 81
| can make tlalacks and bread that'd
bring the very eyes out iv yer head and
make We swalIy yer tongue with delight
J someness," (if he had weakness it was
: for napiacks and corn bresd) he could
] ouly twirl his thumbs in a sort of ridic.
+ uIous awe, and asked her with a sudder
smile how much she expected '''o gel
for doing all those things
a Seventy five cents week" was thu
prompt reply.
: With still more cunning laugh, Joe
offered her half the money. Greatly tc
{ his amazemeut, she agreed at once aot
r he found himself, to use his own expires
5 sion, 'in for it," To add to his chagrin
| Anson stood by, laughing with intcns
enjoyment.
: But the girl without further ado, pro
d ceeded to disencumber herselfof a bonne
i and shawl and vanish iu the direction o.
3 the kitchen before anything could b.
said. As she shut the door she stole {
j. glance at Anson that made him start ant
bite his lips, and presently he stole kilch
onward also. She was already han1In!
v the broom like an adept, and grumbln;
= in her rich brogue at the dust that hat
y accumulated in the corners; for the eX
}, tent of Anson' s aud his fathers sweep
r inr had been to brush the center of ih'
| room, somewhat to the disadvantage 0
u the rest.
+ She did not look up as Arson enter
ed but he sat down and delberaied, ant
lurtively watched her. For some tim
y she seemed unconscious of his scrutiny
{ hut presently she turned, and cIaspini
her little hands upon the top Of tn
o broom handle, said, with a mixture @
Is bravado and archness too natural to b.
mistaken ,.
d "Well Anson, what do you think?,
1t The young man laughed and locke
n annoyed IN the same breath, ...
"rhen it is Barbie?' he said 81 we
le suspecting something of the sort.
d Not till [ looked at you, said I'll
or girl roguishly, retrcatiug as l. approach
+ ed
e. ''Do you think it is quite the thing
n Barber"
he "Shure, an why amt it the thing fc