The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-07-18

"There's no perhaps about IT." SAID
Barbara, brusquely. "Of course you
ought. And since you don't choose to
work for your master, you may as well
be working Tor me-"
my master2''
Squire Dallas, of course said Bar
bara. dear me, how stupid you are'
And how, may venture to ask, did
you know who 1 VASE" he questioned, in
an amused sort of way.
ooh, it didn't require any great exer-
else of brilliance for that" responded
Barbara. with little nod of the head.
know Squire Dallas has got a new
hired man; and if you're not he. who
are you?"
"That's the question" said the stranger
gravely.
but we mustn't stand talking here,''
went on Barbara, in business-like soft
of way. "Take the basket and 90 to
picking strawberries just as fast as ever
you can, because we're to have company
at our nouse-I'm Barbara Wylde, you
know, young man-and I must get back
with the berries for desert as quickly as
possible"
"All right" said the stranger; I'm
tolerbly quick at this sort of thing, 1 be-
lieve."
" l hope you are," said Barbara--in-
tent on extracting a tiny rose-pricker
from the point Of her stained foretnger
=" and at other things too. Because, if
you're not, Squire Dallas won't keep
you.'
'He won't eh?"
Barbara shook her head The last
man went away because he couldn't en-
dure the squires driving ways said She
"Oh, was so sorry! He was nice He
nsed to lend me books and things over
the fence, and he taught the district school
in the winters. fused often to come here
and talk with him over the stone wall,
because, you see, it's lonesome up at the
house if l do have two grown sisters.
Lisette is cross with me if ask to Dor
row any of her books she has d dreadful
temper, has our Lisette-and Maude is
too intellectual to trouble herself about
slip of a girl like me. Grown sisters are
DREADFUL" with solemn shake Of the
head.
"And | suppose you are not grown,
said Squire Dallas's hired man, with
curious CLEAN of amusement around the
corners of his mouth.
NO" said Barbara, Il am only sixteen
and haven't got trains to my dresses yet
But perhaps when the girls get married,
and one of them is sure to marry this Cap
tain Severn-Oh, take care, you re tipping
all the berries out on upon the grass
Squire Dallas won't keep you week if
you're as clumsy as that
But the hired man luckily succeeded in
righting the basket before its crimson
contents were irretrievably lost
ITS all right" said he, see how rapid
ly it is filling up. But suppose this Cap
tain-I forget what you said his name
wasl'
You mustn't forget things" said
Barbara. esquire Dallas never will be
suited with that He's very particu-
lar old gentleman. l mention these
things you know''-with an air OF mild
patronage-"because you seem like a
nice, respectable young man, and l
should like you to keep the place.
81 am much obliged to you" said the
stranger, hurriedly putting strawberry
into his mouth.
Now you are eating the Strawberries,
said Bar bara, severely. You shouldn't
do that"
"One or two is of no consequence"
apologized Squire Dallas's hired man.
but was going to say, suppose this
company gentleman"
Captain Severn, his name is inter
posed Barbara.
"Yes-suppose that Captain Severn
shouldn't fall in love with either of your
grown sistersl'
Then he'd be very great disappoint-
ment," cried out Barbara, .becaus
Lisette is -and-twenty. and Maude
says she'll cut her throat sooner than be
an old maid
He might fall in love with you." sug-
gested the young man, regarding his
from beneath his long .ashes.
With me-" repeated Barbai Me +.
"a little girl that wears dresses without
trains, and isn't out of her scales vet now |
tell you what, young man, you are taking
great deal too much and working a
great deal to little. Perhaps. if you re
very smart with berries. Ill bring you one
of Philliss tarts. and put it on he stone
ence tonight. Phillis does make the
deliciousest strawberry tarts"'
=" That would be delightful" said the
stranger, promptly.
Barbara gavea scrutinizing glance into
the berry basket.
=. begin to think we've got almos.
ehmeh,s said. she
Nor yesr .pleidatt her: cbnip.nion.
~ Yes. nodded Barbars:: L: And NAM
ms till be'in a: barrs.. End. Maude will
scold irsadfu. IS If IN not there in One
to do her back hair: 49,. =. =.
1t strokes me" said the stranger, with
a half smile, that you're . good deal
like Cinderella in the story books
Barbara considered the matter fer
second or two.
So l am" said she. = never
thought about it before but do believe
l am little like Cinderella. But dear
me there is no glass slipper for me- And
Is for you young man," relapsing sll st
once If to the severe Mentor again." you
had better get back as fast as possible to
your work; and don't let Squire Dallas
catch you lettering again, if you've
any REGARD for your place.