The Grange advance., 1874-04-15
Bridget Triumphant.
BY ALFRED MILLS.

OAc VI CAe C"O UaAhuS houses IN Cne
quiet little town of Penrith for the pur-
pose of cashing small check. While I
was waiting my turn bright, neatly
dressed Irish girl entered, with baby
in her arms, and Bank of England |
note for e5 carefully folded in her right |
hand. l made way for her to pass, and |
she went straight up to the counter and
laid the note before the telling clerk, but
without uttering word
The clerk raised his head and sharply
demanded:
"Well?"
The girl seemed rather abashed at this
off hand interrogation, as if she thought
he knew perfectly well what she wanted;
but after a moments hesitation, said:
"Plaze an can ye give me the money
for Mot?"
"What's your name ?" inquired the
clerk, in the same rough tone, as he
closely scrutinized the note; for Just at
that time great many well-executed
counterteits were floating about.
Bridget" replied the girl.
"Who do you come from, mean p
said the clerk, evidently thinking the
reply was an evasion.
"Come from ?" stammered the GIRL
"Who should come from but meself-
Bridget!" "
Bother!' exclaimed the clerk, cross
~. "What do you want? Who sent
you? Who are you ?"
I" Bridget" again was the meek re-
ply:
| saw that the clerk had 4 strong
tinge Of" Bumbledom in him, and was
anything but obliging, so steppeh for
ward and exclaimed that I supposed she
wished to have the note changed, and
suggested that, as it was evidently good
he might as we'll accede to her modest
request. The girl looked at me grateful
~ and exclaimed, in her broad, Irish
brogue:
Sure, an that's what do want
Dim goin' to meet me husban' in Car
!oll, an l cannot get the note cheanget
In any shop in the town at awl. The,
telpd me he'd give me the money here.
"Oh," said the clerk, bluntly. (" that
1t, is it? "Well, we don't change note
for any one but our own customers
Make room for that gentleman
"Shure the notes good, ye say, an,
cant ye give me the money, PLACE
pleaded the girl.
"Note's good; but we never chang
notes, l tell you-except our o,cn
There" added the clerk, with, as
thought, most unreasonable ill-temper a
ne pushed the girls hand off the counte
-'s there, take your confounded note
and make way for some one else!
Bridget seemed bitterly disappointed
ana looking at the baby, asked pitifull,
OF that unconscious innocent
ST. Och! shure, an what'll [ do a
arl?'
l got change for my check, and wa
on the point Of following her to tende
her what assistance I could, but sh
paused tor a moment at the door. an
then she suddenly returned as if
bright thought had suggested itself t
hep mind.
When the other customers were gone
she again arrested the attention Of tn
clerk, and asked in modest, quiet way
An did ye say ye could give m
some of yer own notes for this ?"
"Yes, certainly" said the clerk, crust
ny; hand it to me-
bridget passed the note, and immed
ately received FIVE bran-new pound note
OF the local bank in exchange. Still sh
waited and watch anxiously, while tn
cierk entered the number of the note i
MS book and deposited it in the drawe
l caught her Eye, and 1 saw that tn
tables were turning, for a triumphantl
wicked light was burning therefTom.
Up looked tie unlucky clerk, as so,
as vinegar, as # he would say. WI;
more can you want
can did ye3say ye changed ver or
notes ?" asked Bridget, in firm ton
"Of course, I replied the clerk, shar,
~, opening his eyes as if /H began
comprehend that after al the simp
Irish lass might ba<7too 4any" +
him, while two;6r TIRED gentl( (men vi
had come in Looked on Md sml lled. D.