, 1877-09-23
For Tx tNfc0go Tribu,lt

| HOW OLD IS BRIDGET2
| For TIE tNfcago 7ribuAe
/ When first met her, at what she calls t'Th<
| Intelligent Office" Bridget told me that she
was born on the 7th and 9th Of June, in the
year-she had forgotten the year. but she was
] sure OF the day, or days. because it was an odd
| number; aud she was 25 years old pre-
ciscly, and ready to swear to it before the Presi
dent
Twenty-Five is beautiful age to have in the
house, and I took Bridget at her word. She
was ss25, precisely" when she camc;
she has lived with us eighteen months; and now
she is only p.
That's where begin 70 get mixed up.
This is Bridgets true history, as she related it
to me in moments OF unlimited confidence:
NO, mum, am not Irish; 1 WAS born in
Cork, where me father was big man; and it's
me that had me cartridges, and me dianents,
and me twelve dozens Of fine linen towels, and
went into society every day Of me life, mum;
and real pig~bugs they were, too, not like them
common Amcr1ky folks that's no better than
me. And INC mother, lone widder seven
years, a-wccpine onto me dead fathers grave.
aud Queen Victory a-writing to her to come
come to the Courthouse, mum. And ME only
3 years old at the time.''
Instead Of going to the Courthouse, Bridgct's
mother came to America, aud TOOK In washing.
But Bridget did not like the change.
sit was too damp and tidjus to suit me
tastes, mum. So, when ] was ) years old, l
wint all BY meself to Washington, walked every
step of the way, num- anu only two days it
took me to do it; and the King, aud the Queen,
aud all the young Jukes and Princesses, all
their Own child. And lived wild them in the
Royal pallis for ten years and ten months,
mum, that was the time; and had NC own car
ridges, aud me diaments, and ME twelve dozens
OF fine towels, like the best and tirstest, and me
own servints, too, bad luck to them! For me
poor fellow! And the Kings own son, and all
tho mobiles Of the Courtingcst families, a-wanr-
ing to marry me! But couldn't do 1t, mum.
So left tue Court, and it's to Cuby went; and
me only years years old at the time.''
''Only 9!' l exclaimed.
Yes, darlink, that's the way it was: and
worked wild me own little hands as white as
satin, and~all the Cubycans a-worshping me,
and the King Of Cuby's own son a-pining away
for love Of ME! 1t nearly broxc mt tinder heart
to see the poor boy a-shaddering away wild his
love. So at the end Of six years and seyca
months, Went away to Ca]iforny, and me
lone orphan only 12 years old, and sending every
cent Of me wages to my mother aud sisters;
500 Z week it was, num-
How long did you stay III Californian l
yenturcd to inquire.
II STAYED there only five years and six weeks
mum, aud found the most i'lisant places in
lfn
was ut st. Francisky lived, where it's full Of
gold mines, aud men a-d!gglng 1T them, and
every one OF them a-w2nt.ng to marry inc most
dreadful, and 50 had tu lca:c again. Nimmen
has hard trials, nluin aud HE young girl only
II at the t.nae!"
" Hut why did you not get married?''
asked.
Why, tnum2 And sure it's but one man I
could wed the while. and Ill tho rest a-tlrownd
ing antl :.-reyol:erng Ut themselves for ne
sake! No, mum, it isn't me that wants to car
r. s+ many ghostesses on me tilldcr conshin-
Eisscs.''
i suppose she alluded to her conscience, for
she put on q look of virtuous indignation, ana
spoke no more that day. But she began again
the next morning, and several other mornings
1t appears that alter leaving California she
wcut to Mexico: But I stayed only three
months there, mum, because everything was in
bad state Of arn.ca. not lit lor a la1y.''
Tllcn she went to New Orleans; 'sthat was
during tue War, mum: aud me prisoner for
ten months, and me 1iaincnts all stole away
from, Me; but the Ginral told me to keep INC
he: don't want them, miss: says he, don't
never wash me hands, says he. And lie an illi-
CANT Ginral, too; only think Of it, mum; and
me only too glad to keep me towels; that was
tho only dace1lt company had, NUNS
When Bridget went to Florida, where She
spent twenty,one months. " eating oringes till
1t turned ME hair as rcd Is sou see it nuw, Mum,
an; and @ n,ask as the raSlng swings it was before,
Oau LUCK TO IL! -
Then she returned to Cuba, and fonnd the |
Kings sou in the same sad state Of pininr away
Tor lore Of her. Il lie looked like real skull |
ton. mum; SO, at the end OF three years, I |
Couldn't bear to see it no more, and went away |
to Saint Donenerco.''
have not been able to find that place on tho
map, but it was 8 beautiful island somewhere
and II is perfectly certain that Bridget was there
during seven years. aud that all the luen IN tIe
island fell in lore with her, and drown-dcadcd
themselves to such au extent that the kin~
begged hcr to depart, aud thus spare the lie
Of his oulv son. 1e
She departed, but knew not where to po for
there are men everywhere, land mems hearts
ia 10 loving, mum!" 10
At last poor Bridget came to chicap, wbora
she resided si1 years In the PRESIDENTS Fa1iis
on M!en'gan avenue It was, mum, and INC like
men as polite as the DAY, but not to- thc mint
OF droWnding themselves, mum: they are 1no |
prudent tor that; anu vet it's a winninr rom,
the time!" ~
md sdstt a:t was in CHICAGO during the great fire.
Twelve dozens Of fine linen towels.
sne gave her towels to the poor and went to |
Ne" New iofk to visit her mother Then she re-
Nv 1alneu 70 chicago, and adorned variety OF
heavens knows it isn't me that's giycn tn
mum, but Chicago lust suits me- tastes.
aug there's no place at ali like the West, for it
uout stop noWheres, and you can always 70
ester Il you likes. But it's here will stay
aeqt *1nm 1nne III am Old And me only % come
Now, will some one help us to solve that in
Bridget! Wpruu"r1'e rnu" o'u -
a Valuable Discovery to Steel-Workers.
Brifoi fC3nn.) Jonrna.