The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-08-28
tcrmined mot to al,cr for cheap Board.

Lie following morning Mrs. INay III
rived with two full loads of furniture,
quito enough to furnish a small house
and vet she had engaged butonc room to
pace il in. Mrs. Wiley stepped out
while it was unloading, to procure her
dinner. When she returned, she found
large, old fashioned sofa sitting in her
chamber, a heavy, a,tiquatcd sidc-bcard
stood in the entry, and two large look
ing-glasscs, which the room would not
admit on account of the low ceiling
Mrs. Ray came forward, in her bland con-
ciliatory manner, declaring 9shc knew
not what TO do with her rubbish; per-
haps she woul give her leave TO set it
in her attic, until she could sell it Mt auc-
ton; at any rate, here it is, Mrs. Wiley
and Va, must do something with IT,
\ (fnst behind her she spicd a little poodle
dog.) 10, Mrs. Wiley, ! forgot to men
ton about my little "Spot," who always
goes with me. You will be delighted
with the creature, when he becomes ac-
quainted. And | have the prettiest
Maltese kitten up stairs; she will be a
perfect treasure, if You are troubled with
mice"
"Any more in your family.' inquired
Mrs. Wiley. "Really, Mrs, Ray, had
no idea of this. don't know what to do
with your furniture. A dog ! dcspisc,
and as to a eat, | never vet consented to
keep one on my premises"
Perceiving the tide was setting against
her, Mrs. Ray Immediately suggested that
the dog and cat should never invade her
premises, and then added, "As the room
is now my own, ! suppose ! have right
to put in it whom and what please"
Mrs. Wiley secretly wished she had
never taken cheap boarder, but deter
mined, if the experiment did not work
well, to give it up. She provided a place
for the furniture in her attic, and quietly
set about her usual business. Bridget
was building her fire preparatory for cook.
ing her dinner, when loud voice called
for her at the top of the stairs-Mlrs. Ray
.beeced her to ask Mrs. Wiley "f she
would bc kind enough to send her bit
of cake for her luncheon; and Biddy, il
Won have any spare slices of meat left
from Yesterdays dinner, will YOU bring it
for Spot and Malta they are both fam
ished." And Mrs. Ray went into her own
premises.
The articles called for were furnished,
and Mrs. Wiley made no comments,
when Biddy gave in, "Shc's no lady,
savin' your prisencc.'
Mrs. Ray next appeared at dinner
She was dressed in very elegant silk,
"which had worn beautifully. 1t was
two dollars per yard and very cheap
One of the marked down stock. She
had worn it full two months, and there
was not flaw in it." "Blcss me-" tho't
Mrs. Wiley, "my silk dress, which was
purchased at INV husbands doatl, Is just
as good rs ever" Again the cheap rate
at which her boar,lcr was living sorely
vcycd her: besides, she never saw n per-
son eat more yoraciously. Mrs. Rays re-
marks, TOO, were not very conciliatcry to
Mrs. Willcy's feelings. ii do declare,
this seems Ike living. always thought
! Should prefer a private family, there are
no half cooked messcs. | don't know
when | have tasted such u cup OF coffee.
! Pardon me, Mrs. Wiley, if l take my
fourth cup; and your steak is delicious |;
! | will take Just mouthful more OF that
tender part, the gristlc will do for Malta.
And NAV | take n cup of milk to spot
with your leave"
To MI this Mrs. Wiley strangely as
scntcd. Mrs. Ray told all her friends
what a delightful boarding place she had
found. She was furnished with every.
thing. and charged bul three dollars an'l
fifty cents per week. In these hard
times was it not remarkably cheap!
The first month had expired. Mrs,
Wiley had borie her misery like a mar
tyr. and now she demanded her payment.
She made out her bill, charging dollar
per week a head for Spot and Malta, and
nine shllings for 'extras," consisting OF
! lunch. second suppers, de-, and directed
Bridget to leave it for Mrs. Rays inspec-
tion.
Madam Ray adjusted her cye-glass bet
ter than her temper when she saw the
amount which her cheap living had cost
her. "Was she always to be thus im-
posed upon, not only by strangers, but
hy ones own fricndsi Had she not been
served so again and againl her patience
was worn out" and she commenced dis
charging her sentiments in full to Mrs.
Wiley. " ..r
"Now here / am, poor lone widow;
not friend has called upon me since i
came in your house, Mrs. Wiley. With
no husband or child to protect my rights,
with nobody to love but my poodle and
eat. | have taken what YOU have been
pleased TO set before me; and now, look
Mt INV reward! These stems tell the
story. For elcar-starching one dozen un-
derslccves, seventy-tivc cents. Outrage
ous, considered it only a friendly act
which your Ilibcrnan did for me. Board
for Spot one dollar per week. The
highest price ever asked me in 'gcnteel
boarding houses was but fifty cents. And
for the kitten, ditto. Ridiculous! had
better have gone TO an hotel Mrs. Ray
walked across the room with an elastic
step.
1And l,"rcplicd Mrs. Wiley, took you,
merely to obligc you. have since found
YOU were turned from your last quarters,
on account of your parsimonions habits
For years, Mrs. Ray, have lived quietly
alone-my income has met my liabilities {;
but since YOU have been with me, the ex-
ira expense incurred nearly doubles my
previous accounts. The price OF your
board at three fifty per week, would not
have paid for the raw material. And
why should suffer any discomfort on
your accounts Why should i abate a
single iarthing ofwhat ough, to receive,
- Al. IA.