Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-26

Hnmming hope and Spring time,
The bee IS out at last.
Mlisttllaneous.
HOW WE TOOK A BOARDER.
Our house is quite large one, and, be-
sides those apartments which we occupy
ourselves and those which we dedicate to
our guests, there is very nice little room
on the second floor, which we never use and
very seldom enter.
One morning, when / happened to feel
in very economical mood, bethought my
self that, were this room furnished gen
teelly, we might just as well as not take a
boarder-there were such numbers of ad-
refreshments in the papers for just such
places. So many single ladies wished
board in private family" where no 9th
er boarders were taken, and so many single
gentlemen pinned for the g comforts Of a
home," that | had no doubt we could suit
ourselves exactly.
Accordingly, I preached the subject to
Psalter at the table that very evening. =
Psalter only laughed at first, but when he
found that | was in earnest, acquiesced in
the arrangement, merely STIMULATING that
neither maiden lady, nor gentleman and
his wife" were to become inmates of the
apartment. Consequently my choice WIS
limited. A single gentleman l must have,
and | was determined to be very particular
about him. I considered myself pretty
good judge of character, and [ resolved to
select an intellectual, moral and well-man-
nered person, Or to give up the idea alto
gether
Tuesday and Wednesday passed without
any answer. Thursday brought young
man belonging to fire company, who stip-
ulated that the members Of his 'machine"
should be allowed the privilege of meeting
in my parlor once week, as their engine
house was out my order, and likewise men
toned that he always in the morning, took
brandy, instead Of milk, in his coffee.
70 this gentleman's proposals, I was
obliged to answer in the negative, and, on
his pressing the point, to inform him that
the reception Of the engine company would
Of itself, be an insuperable obstacle. I did
not think it prudent to add that his appear
ance and conversation did not tend to make
me DESTROYS of lis company. Although I
thought SO, I based my objections altogeth-
er upon the fire company's expectation Of
meeting in my parlors.
had said enough to offend my visitor,
however, for he thrust his head forward tnr-
tle-fashion, and remarked that 1 had better
not "say anything agin No. 240," and
that l might be "hopping glad to have 'em
meet in my parlor, for-for all l thought
myself some punkins, | was only small TIA
ters,' and that ''No. 240 boys were all
fine fellers, and I'd better not contradict
him-sa-ay and departed, leaving an
odor of bad cigars and stale whiskey be-
hind him.
My next applicant was maiden lady,
who desired accommodations for herself, a
parrot, a monkey, two poodles, kitten,
and cabinet Of neurological specimens.
Of course, she did not suit ME, especially
as she was very particular in her inquiries
as to my servant girls capability Of wash
ing and attending to poodles and parrots.
Closely following upon her heels came a
gentleman Of respectable appearance, and
plausible address, with whom, in spite of a
pair of very wild, singular eyes, which pro-
truded beyond the lids until they appeared
about to drop upon his cheeks, was might
lily taken. In fact, the arrangements were
nearly concluded, when, to my horror,
made the discovery that he was professor
Of Spiritualism, and a speaking and singing
medium; likewise, my eyes were open at
once to the singularity of the gentleman
eyes by this confession, and I became aware
that the nearest insane asylum would, in
all probability, suit him far better than my
humble dwelling So, with an inward
thanksgiving for my rescue. I got out Of
the scrape as politely as possible. and the
medium departed.
Then arrived three very untidy young
men, who wanted to share the apartment,
herein. f
After these had departed, declare I was
quite out Of patience. anu almost resolved
to give up my notable idea altogether; but
just as l had come to this resolution,
heard another ring at the bell. Such a
ring! Not a loud, imperative, abrupt peal
but a modest, musical Naturalization,
which betokened an unassuming and well
bred applicant for admission.
"a young gentleman" so Biddy in
formed me and, after peeping in the glass
to see if my hair was smooth, I ran up
stairs.
There was young gentleman in the par
lor-a tall, fair young man, with straight,
straw-co]ored hair, combed back from his
forehead with brush, and a white crava1
of ministerial proportions. He had dear
little hands, encased in the most delicate Of
gloves, and was SO polite and gentlemaply
that really, I thought to myself, coulo
not possibly find any one who would sui
me better for a boarder.
He was on visit to the city-so be sale
and his principal object in the selection
of boarding-place was privacy and gooc
society. He, was church member and