Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-05-04

tufe OF his employment
''Shure. sir, an the lady that sint me-
God bless her swate eyes said youd be
shure to take me on her Recommendation,
which | have in my pocket, and here tbs
now"
She gave him a note which proved to he
from Barbie Halstead. Ansou read it with
very loverlike carefulness, but shook his
head
Il am very sorry, my good girl, but we
do not wish to hire servant.
'Belike you father mayn object when he
sees me, the girl persisted.
Anson looked at the spoiled white bonnet
and the red feather, and repressed smile,
wondering what his father would say. But
his was too kindly nature to be willing to
expose even this servant to his father rough
manner. He repeated what he had said be-
fore, assuring her that it would be of no use
: to see his father.
The girl stood moment. "If We pase,
sir, III just see him a moment. Belike be
may take q likin' to the 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 areception she would get.
'Shure an I'll do plenty NOR n | IN worth
to yeeS, she was saying with innocent EN-
phasis, as Anson entered. She talked rap
idly, pouring out such a torrent OF words
that the old man couid not, by any possibll-
ity, slip one in among them, and sat regard
ing her with an expression OF the most lu-
dicrouS astonishment.
This remarkable voluhility completely baf-
fed the old man' S slowness. lie could not
say WORD if he wished to, aud when she
concluded at last with, Il eau make flap
Jacks and corn bread that d bring the very
tongue with delightsomeness, tit he bad
weakness it was for fapjacks and corn bread.
He could only twirl his thumbs in sort OF
ridiculous awe, and asked her with a sudden
smile how much she expected TO get for
doing al those thingS?'
Seventy five cents a week, was the
prompt reply.
With still more cunning laugh, Joel of
fered her half the money. Greatly to his
amazement she agreed at once ; and he found
himself, to use his own expression, in for
1t. TO add to his chagrin, Arson stood
by laughing with intense enjoyment. But
the girl. without further ado, proceeded To
disencumber herself OF bonnet and 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 and bite his lips, and pres
already at work, handling the broom like
an adept, and grumbiing in her rich brogue
at the dust that had accumulated in the cor
ners for the extent of Arson and his faith
ers sweeplngs had been 10 brush the centre
of the room, somewhat to the disadvan
tage OF the rest
She did not look up as AnSon entered, INT
lie sat down and delberated. and furtiyeiy
watched her. For some time she seemed
unconscious of his scrutiny, but presently
she turned and claspiDg DO h her httlc hands
upon the top of the broom handle, SAID, with
IA MKT ure of hravado and archness too nat
uraI 10 be mistaken, Nv ell AnS0n, what du
you think
The young man laughed and looked an
Dyed in the same breath.
Then it is you, Barbic?" lie said. 81
was suspec,ing something Of the sort.
Not till looked at you said the cir!
roguishly. retfcating rs he approached.
DO you ;hink it is quite The thing, Barbie?
''Shurc, an why amt it the thing for :
| poor girl 10 Ice getsin her livin decently an
| honestly p
! And that was ali he could get out of her
/ Having acknowledge her identity with Bar
! bic for an instant, she was the most map
proachable Ditidy the next, and would have
! nothing to say, save in that character.
Does your father know of this BaThe
! What would he say 2" persevered Anson.
''Shure, an it 5 not me own father would
/ be interfern' wild me, would hep
! In vain were all remonstrances with tht
roguish and willful Girl. She persisted it
being Biddy, even to him, and maintained
| distance between him and Barbie in her Owl
proper self Annoyed, provoked, chagrineo
and almost angry, the advent OF his fathe,
! forced him to retire from the kitchen, to
fear of betraying Barbie's secret, which h
wculd not have done for great deal. L
was several hours before he could return Il
1 the house, his father having, by some pre-
text or other, detained him.
When at last they entered together, kitch
en- and sitting room. both OF which had beei
in an untidy state when they left there, haC
undergone such remarkable renovatin!
process that old Joel drew back at first, think
ing he had set foot in somebody else hous
instead CT his own. Supper was smoking o
the table; sUch supper as old Joel, at least
had not seen in months. To crown all, Mrs
Shcienbarger was sitting, propped UP with
pillows, In a great easy chair, and lookin
wondrously contented, and with reason; th
poor old lady had not had n woman's han
about her before or since her illness. The.
lived in such an Isolated, inhospitable man
ner, that very few of their neighbors eve
knew that Mrs. Shelenbarger was not a
we'll as usual Biddy, as she called herself
had tidied the poor lady up in beautifu
manner. Joel sat down to the daintily sprea
table and made most hearty and keenl
relished meal, glancing askancc at Bidd
meanwhile Anson, strange to say, ate Yer
little, and he watched Biddy askauce too.
This was only the beginning of reforms thi
daring girl instituted. First, however, q
much for her owD peace of mind as Anson
knowing that mother and son were ia:
friends and always of one opinion-she tol
her secret 90 Mrs s., and fairly wheedle
the good lady into approval. lti true tn;
she shook her head at first, and looked woi
derluly shocked. 1t was so charming t
have those little soft hands fiutterins abor
her. and to see such brightness and comto
spring up around, that she could not for hi
own sake, help countenancing as much
silence could, Biddy mysterious presenc
, l haven't time to give particulars, but ha'
g ing made good beginning, with a good tru
: Irish facility, Biddy established herself In
/ very short time, completely in the good gr
t ces of the old man. He had lurking hkt
: ness for neataess and good order, and Mir
S., poor woman, wasn't a very tidy hous
: keeper. Under the new reign order gre